What to see in France

Méribel, the promise of a magical adventure!

La station de ski Méribel, en Savoie
La station de ski Méribel, en Savoie

 

Situated in the commune of Les Allues at an altitude of 1450 metres, the winter sports resort of Méribel is nestled in the heart of the Vanoise National Park, a prime site for the protection of flora and fauna. Located in the Trois Vallées area, one of the most popular ski resorts in the world, Méribel is constantly gaining stars. With Christmas and the winter holidays approaching, the resort is stepping up its inventiveness to make your family holidays unforgettable.

A resort that knows how to entertain

After hosting some of the events at the 1992 Albertville Winter Olympics, Méribel continues to grow. The commune of Les Allues, which has a population of 2,000, receives up to 30,000 visitors during the winter season. An event that has only served to raise its profile and put its image in the "top of the range" category. To maintain this status, the resort boasts top-quality infrastructure and services. There are several cinemas and casinos. As for sport, there are hiking trails, a bowling alley and an 18-hole golf course, as well as paragliding, climbing and ice karting for those who enjoy extreme sports. As for skiing, which remains Méribel's main winter sport, the resort has 150 km of green, blue, red and black runs, with 40 ski lifts to take you to their summits.

The winter sports resort has been awarded a number of quality labels, including Famille Plus Montagne, which guarantees child-friendly facilities, a warm welcome for every family, entertainment for all, services and local shops.

 

View of Méribel
View of Méribel© iStock

Quality activities

If you fancy a snowshoe walk among the snow-covered fir trees, the Tourist Office can organise a two-hour family hike in the forest, followed by a chocolate fondue served in the middle of nature. It's a great way to motivate the kids to do a bit of sport in the cold!

For an introduction to skiing and snowboarding, head to the Altiport forest at 1700 m altitude, where you'll be immersed in the fascinating Inuit culture in the midst of a breathtaking natural landscape. Here, beginners and experienced skiers alike can enjoy a range of sports, including cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, bobsleighing and tobogganing.

With a scenery similar to that of the American West, the Tuéda Nature Reserve can be discovered through the Explor Game, an original way of discovering this exceptional place made up of grandiose mountains sheltering a lake with crystal-clear frozen waters, through enigmas and challenges from a mobile application. Throughout the winter, children can also have fun exploring the area, taking part in an orienteering race or searching for animal tracks in the Maison de la Réserve.

Finally, as Méribel is a ski resort that knows how to renew itself, this season you will discover the Bumpy Run, a downhill run full of small bumps to test your balance, the Funny Sun, to develop your agility while having fun thanks to elements that you have to catch, get round or get over, and the Speedy Sun where parents and their children can challenge each other on a track lined with jumps and turns. Finally, Turn & Run is a fun boardercross for everyone. In short! A unique and fun experience that will create unforgettable family memories.

iStock
© iStock

Events to suit the season

Méribel In Lights celebrates the first snowfall from mid-December, with a 3D show in a giant ball, directly inspired by the world of science fiction and electronica, with the theme "all around the mirrors". On the programme: a real show for all ages, with never-before-seen performances, as well as a show by Yuksek, an international electronic music artist who also produces and composes French film music.

Isn't Meribel the ideal destination for the festive season? With its snow-capped mountains and illuminated villages, it's the perfect place to wait for Father Christmas and maybe even catch a glimpse of him! On Christmas Eve, Méribel offers a parade and carols performed by three female gospel singers accompanied by a pianist. As for Father Christmas, he'll be surprising the little ones with his arrival in a sleigh, followed by his gift cart. The following day, Father Christmas will be inviting holidaymakers to come and admire the torchlight procession followed by a superb fireworks display.

iStock
© iStock

To ring in the New Year, DJ Alex Da Kosta will set the Chaudanne plateau alight, transforming it into a spectacular nightclub, with a traditional torchlight procession and fireworks display.

Méribel campsites

There are no campsites in Méribel itself, but in the commune of Les Allues, Le Martagon campsite has 15 places waiting for you to park your motorhome, 6 km from Méribel. The Huttopia Bozel en Vanoise*** campsite is located in Bozel, 15 km from the resort, nestled in the heart of a magnificent landscape, it has an outdoor swimming pool with a lovely wooden solarium to enjoy Méribel in summer. Comfortable chalets with wood-burning stoves are available to rent.

 

 

 

 

 

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