Made famous in the early 20th century by the Rothschild family, Megève has retained its upscale status and a genuine identity that is marked by beautiful medieval architecture and a strongly upheld agricultural feel.

Megève is a destination of quite some stock. Being one of the very first established ski resorts, its development can be traced back to the 1910s when the Rothschild family discovered the charms of the spot in the French Alps. The prestigious family fell in love with the medieval-style gem and made it its designated winter holiday haunt.

Not only has the family given the resort a glamorous air merely by gracing the Megève ski slopes, they have actively assisted in the destination’s development, as Baronne Noémie de Rothschild went about opening a hotel in 1921 which helped to boost the locale and make it the high-end destination it is today. By the mid 1900s, Megève had risen in rank to become one of the most impressive ski resorts in Europe, attracting a host of enthusiastic skiers as well as a respectable string of celebrities. Today, the resort retains its upscale identity, the quality of its real estate and substantial number of five-star hotels.

Architectural wonders
The origins of the village can be traced back much further than the 1900s, as it originally came into being during medieval times. “The history of Megève is fascinating. The building that tells the story best is the priory – a building that was built by monks in the 12th century,” says Jean Marc Seigneur, vice president of the Megève tourist office. Indeed, the destination’s Christian roots are evident in the many beautiful chapels and churches dotted around.

To protect the village’s distinctive architectural identity, strict regulations have been enforced on new construction planning. Although the destination has developed a great deal over the years, a large number of original farms and historical buildings have remained. “The scenery of the village is beautiful, and not only due to its breathtaking mountain backdrop. There are many aspects to the authentic feel that are so typical of Megève – horses and carriages form an integral part of village life and have been used as a natural transportation system for many years by farmers and local village people,” explains Seigneur.

Locally produced goods
In terms of geography, Megève is unusual in that it features a wide valley as opposed to the narrow strip of land usually associated with mountain villages. The open landscape gives the sun full access, which in itself makes Megève pleasantly habitable, particularly so for farmers. It’s not for nothing that Megève boasts a well-established agricultural identity and there are over 40 traditional farms still present and in use.

The fact that so many farmers have chosen Megève as their base of choice has added value to the village on many levels. Perhaps most crucially, it offers residents and visitors the opportunity to stock their cupboards with fresh, locally produced food and dairy products, much of which is available at little ‘from farm to folk’ shops that stud the quaint streets of the village. Femme de Josef is a dairy farm of particular note which focuses on dairy products and ice cream. The remarkably tasty ice cream is served in the Rothschild restaurant, and can also be purchased from Femme de Josef’s own village shop.

Although Megève might be known primarily as a ski resort, it serves equally well as a summer destination. When the snow has melted, the trails can be used for trekking and the locale is also popular among mountain bikers. Horses form an integral part of the destination and in the summer a key show jumping competition takes place. Golf is another prominent part of the resort’s curriculum, and a number of different golf cups keep golfing enthusiasts busy during the summer months. Culture vultures haven’t been left out either, and there are a healthy number of concerts held in the area, mainly focusing on classical and jazz music.

Skiing is a definite draw, and the domain in total stretches across 400km. The French ski school of Megève is one of the country’s most established, so there’s no excuse not to hit the ski slopes. Aside from eminent skiing facilities, the resort boats an impressive sports centre which comprises a swimming pool among many other features.

Considering its status and the fact that it’s a draw all year round, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Megève forms part of the respected association “The Best of the Alps”. The association was conceived to highlight a group of 12 internationally renowned resorts of particularly high calibre. To qualify, the resort has to display an interesting history, coupled with a strong identity both in winter and summer.

Why invest in Megève?
“What makes Megève village special is the combination of its authentic, traditional air and upscale profile, and the two elements intermingle very well while they also benefit and feed off each other. The destination has a local feel to it, but it is at the same time highly international as it attracts visitors from all over the world. Visitors are pleasantly surprised to find that many of the five-star hotels offer products from local farms,” enthuses Seigneur. Towards the end of 2014, a Four Seasons hotel will open its doors, while there are many other developments in the pipeline that are set to heighten Megève’s status further.

Megève makes for an easy place to live in winter as well as in summer, and everything one might need is within easy reach, including grocery shops, clothing stores as well as a selection of luxury goods shops. Among the top tier retailers present in the village is a Swarovski store. A Christmas tree erected in the square is stunningly decorated with 3000 Swarovski stars.

Would-be property owners will find that their investment brings a lot more than short-term returns. Real estate prices in the village are certainly increasing, but to settle for a property in Megève means becoming part of the charming local community. Considering the unique charms of Megève, this is should be worth a lot in itself.