By continuing to use our site, you accept the placing (i) of cookies to determine the site's audience, visits, and your navigation, to provide offers adapted to your areas of interest and personalised advertising, and (ii) of third-party cookies designed to suggest videos, share buttons, and relay content from social media.
See more
Emmanuel Renaut is one of the leading figures in modern French cuisine. After working with, amongst others, Christian Constant and Marc Veyrat, he settled in Megève in 1998, in a region that today he could no longer bear to leave… "I probably decided to live in the mountains even before deciding to become a chef. As a small child, I spent my summer and winter holidays in the shadow of permanently snow-covered peaks in Saint-Gervais-les-Bains and Les Houches. Later on, I did my military service in the mountain infantry in Chambéry. Then I had the opportunity to work alongside Marc Veyrat, which introduced me to another mountain. I like to walk through the mountain pastures and pick flowers and gather plants or mushrooms. As soon as the snow arrives, I strap on my skis or snowshoes and get away from it all. My skis are never too far from the kitchen…"
To give you inspiration, Relais & Châteaux presents the Routes du Bonheur: suggestions for travel itineraries that you can fully personalise according to your wishes and the experiences you would like to discover. Our consultants are available to help customise your route and assist you in making reservations at our properties. It is up to you to reserve any recommended activities on-site or nearby that might interest you.
*Total price provided for information only, based on accommodation for two people in a double room for the number of nights per property as indicated on this page, exclusive of recommended activities, properties that cannot be reserved online and restaurants.
Restaurant and hotel in the mountains. On the Megève heights, three-stars Chef and MOF (Best Craftsman of France) Emmanuel Renaut offers imaginative, colourful, timeless cuisine with a mountain flavour. He boldly injects colour, bitterness or acidity where they were not found before, to make each dish original and surprising. His cuisine reflects the scenery, with its soft, undulating parts, interrupted like a divine surprise by endless summits. Walk in the mountains with Emmanuel Renaut to discover mushrooms, flowers and wildlife. The hotel has several chalets which associate functionality with design in a cosy and relaxed atmosphere and a loft-type style. The treatments in the spa are inspired by the mountain: Megève pine trees, flowers and water
... Learn moreless
Outside the restaurant, the Route du Leutaz is a veritable nature reserve. A playground that I take advantage of regularly. When guests feel like going for a walk, I tell them: “In that spot you will see wood sorrel, wild caraway, hogweed, wild raspberries or chanterelles, and if you look in such-and-such a direction you will most likely see some chamois.” It all depends on the season. Sometimes, in the early morning, our hotel guests come with me to collect herbs or flowers on the mountain. We only have eight rooms, which means we have plenty of time for our guests.
Exploring Megève’s heritage
Behind every stone there is a story. Explore the centre of the village in the company of a heritage guide, who will tell you the story of Megève and of its incredible inhabitants. These local guides reveal a hidden past and heritage that sometimes even those who live here are unaware of. You will discover the work of mountain architect Henry Jacques Le Même, creator of the “Mégevan” chalet, as well as the church and the Calvary trail. Tours should be booked in advance.
Exploring the baroque churches
How many of these baroque churches are there, built from the seventeenth century onwards in the Maurienne, Tarentaise and Beaufortain valleys, and in the Val d’Arly? Almost eighty sites are listed with this very distinctive style, often modest from the outside but magnificent inside. Step through the doors and you will discover splendid gilded altarpieces decorated with wooden sculptures.
Restaurant and hotel in the mountains. At the foot of Mont Blanc, Pierre Carrier and Perrine Maillet have taken over this hotel, devoted to fine dining, founded in 1903 by “great grandfather Carrier”. The rooms in the main hotel or the chalets in the garden offer both modern and warm comfort. On the one hand, there is the superb menu at the Albert Ier with its recipes influenced by the Piedmont and Liguria and, on the other, the Maison Carrier with its specialities to be enjoyed in the atmosphere of an old farmhouse or with a view of the majestic beauty of Mont Blanc. The indoor/outdoor swimming pool also boasts vistas of the eternal snows. An equally stunning and delicious address.
... Learn moreless
The Mer de Glace can be reached from Mont Blanc by the train, known since 1909 as the Montenvers railway. This impressive glacier is almost seven kilometres long and nearly two hundred metres thick, and is one of the biggest in the Alps. As a child, my parents would take me to the caves in the ice. Today, I feel the same pleasure and the same magic returning here with my own children. In Montenvers, you will find a hundred-year-old building made entirely from wood, where you can enjoy hot chocolate or a blueberry tart.
A trip up the Aiguille du Midi
This is one of the few places on earth where you can be high up in the mountains in just a few minutes. At 3800 metres above sea level, facing Mont Blanc, this spot is a sheer joy. Even as a child I would often climb the Aiguille du Midi to do the Vallée Blanche route. But the most wonderful feeling was the first time I climbed up by the Cosmiques Ridge. An unforgettable climbing experience, with 400 metres on one side and 1200 metres on the other side of the ridge.
Hotel and restaurant in the mountains. Located in the heart of an estate populated by chamois, ibex, marmots and grazing cows, the Hotel Bellevue & Spa is a veritable pearl embedded at the foot of the Gran Paradiso glacier. The atmosphere in this old mansion is unique, with a stunning location, a very special décor and a long history. Its three restaurants serve authentic local ingredients, along with fragrant herbs from the hotel’s own cottage garden. Its new wellness area (1,200 m2) welcomes you with its grottoes, waterfalls and old chalets. It offers the privilege of relaxing in a setting which combines the beauty of the mountains and alpine culture with the joy of plunging into hot spring waters.
... Learn moreless
Gran Paradiso is the only peak higher than 4000 metres (4061 metres) which is located entirely in Italy, between the provinces of the Aosta Valley and Turin. It dominates the national park which bears its name. Established in 1922, the park, which was once a hunting reserve of King Victor Emmanuel of Savoy, is truly a paradise for lovers of mountain wildlife: ibexes, chamois, marmots, stoats and golden eagles can all be seen here.
The waterfalls in Lillaz
This hamlet in the municipality of Cogne is the starting point for some superb walks in the Aosta Valley and it also has some very beautiful waterfalls. Close to the village of Lillaz, a succession of waterfalls, almost 150 metres high, forms the Grand Eyvia. In winter, when they are frozen, the sight is even more impressive.
On the route
The Pont d’Aël, Aymavilles
Built in 3 BC, this Roman aqueduct bridge is situated 66 metres above the Grand Eyvia and once supported an aqueduct nearly six kilometres long, enabling the irrigation of crops in the valley. The former watercourse is today used by hikers to cross the gorge on their way to Cogne.
Hotel and restaurant in the mountains. Situated on the south side of the Matterhorn, the Cervinia ski resort is one of the highest in the world, peaking at 4,000 metres, and one of the few to cross the Italian-Swiss border. Choose between slaloming on the Swiss side, or a descent down the trails of the Aosta Valley. The Hermitage, this grand chalet has been designed in the purest of mountain traditions, with interiors of warm brown wood, and equipped with a spa to relax in after a day of intense skiing. The Whymper Suite, designed as a private chalet, boasts breathtaking views of the Matterhorn. Succumb to the beauty of the mountain.
... Learn moreless
This superb par-69 course, 5300 metres long, is the highest golf course in Italy. Founded in 1955 at the foot of the mountain, it is also one of the oldest Italian courses. It was completely redesigned a few years ago by the architect Luigi Rota Caremoli, and transformed from a 9-hole course into an 18-hole course. It offers a spectacular view of the Matterhorn.
The legend of the Matterhorn
Situated on the border between Italy and Switzerland, the Matterhorn is one of the legendary peaks of the Valais Alps. Its pyramid-like shape –from Zermatt – and the story of its ascent (the summit is 4478 metres high) are part of the mountain’s legend. The English poet John Ruskin spoke of the most noble cliff in Europe. I often go climbing but I have never had the chance to explore its famous east and north faces.
Hotel and restaurant in the mountains. In a postcard setting with unbelievable views of snowy peaks, Le Chalet d’Adrien seems to cling to the mountain. It overlooks Verbier, one of the most charming Swiss mountain resorts. An unrivalled ski paradise in winter, and mountain pastures for magnificent hikes in summer. Matching wood panelling and fabrics, antique furniture, books and objets d’art scattered around in a homey way combine to create a charming, cosy atmosphere from which the pristine beauty of the landscape can be enjoyed. The pool looking onto the mountains, and the Spa by Sisley are an invitation to well-being. The restaurants feature the culinary flavours of nearby Italy and Valais products and wines.
... Learn moreless
Hotel and restaurant in a village. For Toni and Barbara Mittermair, “guests don’t come to the hotel, they come to our home”. This home is beautifully located on the banks of Lake Geneva, with snowy mountain peaks behind. It is a pleasure to sip aperitifs on the terrace, whilst watching the beautiful sunset. The inspired owners have succeeded in preserving the intimate and welcoming atmosphere of a family hotel at the Victoria. In the hotel’s restaurant, the chef and his team create simple cuisine inspired by the south of France, such as the rack of Sisteron lamb with herbs accompanied by straw potatoes and ratatouille nicoise.
... Learn moreless
The Chalet d’Adrien offers various excursions in the region. These include watching the sun rise at a height of 3300 metres from Mont Fort (with views of the Matterhorn, Mont Blanc and Monte Rosa!) and a day spent in mountain pastures, during which you can watch cheese being made in a dairy at 2000 metres above sea level. Enjoy a lunch cooked over a wood fire in the mountains before a leisurely return trip to the chalet.
The Verbier Festival
In twenty years, this classical music festival has become one of the most important in Europe. Its extremely rich programme includes talented performers from all over the world. For several days in high summer, the ski resort and neighbouring villages are filled with the sound of strings, bows and brass. An academy has been set up and each year it brings together fifty or so musicians from the most prestigious conservatories. Don’t miss the masterclasses held inside the Chalet d’Adrien itself.
Discover why booking with Relais & Châteaux is
a world of privileges
