Megève | ||
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The church square in Megève
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Coordinates: 45°51′28″N 6°37′05″E / 45.8578°N 6.6181°ECoordinates: 45°51′28″N 6°37′05″E / 45.8578°N 6.6181°E | ||
Country | France | |
Region | Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes | |
Department | Haute-Savoie | |
Arrondissement | Bonneville | |
Canton | Sallanches | |
Intercommunality | Pays du Mont-Blanc | |
Government | ||
• Mayor (2014–2020) | Catherine Jullien-Brèches | |
Area1 | 44.11 km2 (17.03 sq mi) | |
Population (2014)2 | 3,292 | |
• Density | 75/km2 (190/sq mi) | |
Time zone | CET (UTC+1) | |
• Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) | |
INSEE/Postal code | 74173 / 74120 | |
Elevation | 1,027–2,485 m (3,369–8,153 ft) (avg. 1,113 m or 3,652 ft) |
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1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. 2Population without double counting: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once. |
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.
Megève (French pronunciation: [məʒɛv]) is a commune in the Haute-Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France with a population of over 4,000 residents. The town is well-known due to its popularity as a ski resort near the Mont-Blanc in the French Alps. Conceived in the 1920s as a French alternative to Saint-Moritz by the Rothschilds, it was the first purpose-built resort in the Alps. Originally it was a prime destination for the French aristocracy. It remains one of the most famous and fanciest ski resorts in the world.
The town started its development as a ski resort in the 1910s when the Rothschild family started to spend their winter vacations there after becoming disenchanted with the Swiss resort, St. Moritz. In 1921, Baroness Noémie de Rothschild (1888–1968) opened the Domaine du Mont d'Arbois, a luxury hotel which boosted the resort's development. By the 1950s Megève was one of the most popular ski resorts in Europe and attracted many wealthy individuals and celebrities. Nowadays it is still visited largely by affluent people as is evidenced by the real estate prices.
For the 2015-2016 winter season a six-seater chair opened replacing the two old Mont Joux chairs. Further additions include the latest branch of Folie Douce at the top of Mont Joux, introducing the chain’s trademark Austrian-style afternoon party scene, which opened for the 2014/2015 season. This will be the fifth in the Folie Douce chain, which started in Val d’Isère and spread to Val Thorens, Méribel and Alpe d’Huez.