10 Reasons to go to Haute-Savoie | EUROtoday

Cradled between glittering lakes and Mont Blanc, Haute-Savoie is a winter playground of festive lights and high quality meals. From glowing forests to thermal baths, household enjoyable to high-altitude thrills, the magic awaits…

1. A Magical Christmas

From forest mild trails to storybook villages, December in Haute-Savoie glows with festive magic. Wander Alta Lumina in Les Gets after darkish, admire the illuminated firs of Megève, and comply with the glow of Saint-Gervais. Don’t miss Evian-les-Bains and its whimsical Village of the Flottins, or the Santa Claus hamlet at Andilly for pure Christmas marvel.

2. Big-ticket Moments

The season is full of headline occasions. Watch the Montgolfiades Internationales ship a rainbow of hot-air balloons over Praz-sur-Arly in January, and really feel the vitality of world-class sport on the BMW IBU Biathlon World Cup in Annecy – Le Grand-Bornand this December. In April, Thônes hosts La Trace, the primary competition devoted fully to ski touring, full with movies, specialist stands and an awards evening.

3. Protected Nature

Nine nature reserves invite you to breathe deeply and gradual your tempo. Lace up for Les Contamines-Montjoie, France’s highest reserve, then proceed your journey by pristine wetlands, forests and high-alpine habitats.

4. Nordic Lights

Haute-Savoie Mont-Blanc is France’s second-largest Nordic snowboarding vacation spot and primary for -night-time cross-country. Choose from 25 Nordic areas and greater than 800km of groomed trails, or after nightfall change in your head torch and discover the Alps’ largest illuminated alpine-skiing area in Manigod for a really unforgettable night on snow.

5. LivelyCulture

Museums and cultural facilities keep vigorous all winter, with family-friendly visits and hands-on actions. Meet mountain wildlife on the Musée de la Faune in Bellevaux, discover the soon-to-be-reopened Musée Alpin and dive into alpine science on the Château des Rubins – Observatoire des Alpes. Add ecomuseums round Lake Annecy, the Musée Montagnard in Les Houches, the Hameau des Alpes, and the watchmaking collections in Cluses for a full image of native heritage.

Thonon thermal baths ©Secret Society

6. Snowshoe Dining

Earn your supper the scrumptious method. Many resorts pair guided snowshoe outings with a fondue feast. Dine in an igloo on the Plateau de Plaine-Joux (Môle & Brasses), below a yurt in Morillon, beneath a trapper’s teepee in La Clusaz, or in quirky hideaways at Bernex, Cordon and Les Carroz. For a deeper escape, strive itineraries similar to L’Échappée Blanche within the Alpes du Léman or a build-your-own igloo evening on the Plaine-Joux plateau.

7. Cold-Water Swimming

Once thought-about area of interest, open-water winter dips are actually booming, particularly in Morillon. The Lac Bleu, fed by a spring at 700m, is crystal clear and hosts the Défi du Lac Bleu every March, drawing greater than 200 swimmers. If you fancy a primary plunge, professional-led classes provide protected introductions with well-being firmly at their core.

8. Fabulous Après-Ski

When the lifts shut, the enjoyable begins. In Avoriaz, Megève and Chamonix, afternoons slide into exhibits and stay units at La Folie Douce. La Clusaz hums after darkish, whereas Les Gets boasts L’Igloo Chalet Club – stated to be France’s oldest disco, courting to 1938. In Samoëns, Les Vignerons font du ski returns in January 2026, and in Chamonix a vintage-style late-night venue flips from kitchen to bounce ground at 11pm. Seasonal festivals maintain each huge buzzing, from electro to rock and alpine arts.

9. Deep Relaxation

Balance the thrills with thermal calm. The spa cities of Thonon-les-Bains, Évian-les-Bains and Saint-Gervais Mont-Blanc provide mineral-rich waters and restorative therapies. Across the resorts, up to date spas provide saunas, swimming pools and rituals impressed by mountain botanicals and panoramic views.

10. Flavors to Remember

Food is a cause to go to in its personal proper. Savor AOP-label cheeses, similar to Reblochon, Abondance and Tomme de Savoie, and native recipes that heat the soul – Berthoud, matouille, farcement, bear paws, bescoin and crisp potato fritters. Pair them with regional charcuterie and a glass of Savoie wine for the complete expertise. The kitchens are certain to win you over with their scrumptious, comforting dishes. So pack your woollies, carry your urge for food, and make this the winter you fall for Haute-Savoie.

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From France Today Magazine

Lead photograph credit score: Notre Dame de la Gorge Church_©les Contamines Tourisme