Stunning Winter Wonderland ResidencesN°001
Auvergne Rhone Alpes, France
Ski-in/ski-out
From $14,302 per night
Photo by snap wander on UnsplashFrance's alpine heartland, from ski villages to lake shores
Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes stretches from the volcanic hills of the Auvergne across Lyon's gastronomic capital to the highest peaks of the French Alps, taking in Mont Blanc, Lake Annecy and the world's largest linked ski areas. Renting a luxury chalet or villa here, in Megève, Méribel, the Belleville valley or on Annecy's shores, brings hot tubs, mountain views and concierge-run winters and summers alike.
- The Three Valleys, the world's largest linked ski area, including Méribel and the Belleville valley
- Megève's village elegance beneath Mont Blanc
- Lake Annecy's turquoise water, cycling paths and old-town canals
- Lyon, France's gastronomic capital, and the UNESCO-listed Chaîne des Puys volcanoes
- Ski-in chalets and lakeside villas with hot tubs, spas and full concierge service
Known forThe French Alps and Mont Blanc, the Three Valleys ski area, Megève, Lake Annecy, Lyon's gastronomy and the Auvergne's volcanoes
Best time to visitDecember to April for skiing; June to September for lakes, hiking and alpine summer
Nearest airportGeneva (GVA) for the northern Alps; Lyon-Saint Exupéry (LYS), Grenoble (GNB) and Chambéry (CMF) also serve the region
Ideal forSki parties, multi-generational families and summer travellers combining mountains, lakes and food
Prestige Aristocrat Posh Ski ChaletN°002
Auvergne Rhone Alpes, France
Ski-in/ski-outHot tub
From $4,361 per night
Spacious Chalet With Sauna and Fitness RoomN°003
Auvergne Rhone Alpes, France
Private pool
From $3,919 per night
Luxurious Chalet With Amazing Mountain Views And SaunaN°004
AuvergneRhoneAlpes, France
Ski-in/ski-out
From $3,692 per night
Perfectly Situated Chalet With Incredible ViewsN°005
AuvergneRhoneAlpes, France
Ski-in/ski-out
From $3,692 per night
Edgewater Prestige Near GenevaN°006
Nernier, France
Private pool
From $2,907 per night
22homes available
1–12bedrooms
up to 16guests
4with a pool
Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes in pictures
Events not to miss in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
- Early August
Fête du Lac d'Annecy
One of Europe's largest fireworks spectacles, staged over Lake Annecy on the first Saturday of August and best watched from a boat or lakeside garden.
- July
Tour de France Alpine Stages
The world's greatest bike race regularly crosses the region's storied cols; watching a mountain stage from the roadside is an unforgettable alpine summer day.
- July
Jumping International de Megève
Megève's elegant international showjumping week brings top riders to the foot of Mont Blanc, with a lively village atmosphere around the arena.
- Early December
Fête des Lumières, Lyon
Lyon's famous festival of light transforms the city's facades and squares with installations over four December evenings, a magical pre-ski city stop.
Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes through the seasons
- Winter (December – April)
The world's largest linked ski domain
Snow-sure weeks in the Three Valleys and Megève, with ski-in chalets, mountain lunches and spa evenings at the heart of the season.
- Spring (May – June)
Green valleys and quiet lakes
Meltwater waterfalls, wildflower meadows and the first warm days on Lake Annecy, with villages calm between the two high seasons.
- Summer (July – August)
Lake swimming and high-alpine trails
Annecy at its sparkling best, lifts open for hiking and biking, the Tour de France in the cols and fireworks over the lake in August.
- Autumn (September – November)
Golden larches and Lyon's table
Crisp hiking weather, turning forests above the valleys and the harvest season in Lyon's markets and dining rooms before the snows return.
The Area and Where to Stay
This vast region rewards choosing your landscape first. For skiing, the Three Valleys is the headline act: Méribel, reached through the commune of Les Allues, sits at its heart, while the Belleville valley holds Saint-Martin, Les Menuires and high, snow-sure Val Thorens, and Bozel gives quieter access to the Courchevel side. Megève and neighbouring Demi-Quartier offer a different register, a historic village of designer boutiques and farmhouse chalets beneath Mont Blanc. In summer the centre of gravity shifts to Lake Annecy, where villages such as Lathuile on the quieter southern shore put turquoise water, mountains and cycling paths at the door. Chalets here range from ski-in residences with pools and spas to converted alpine farms; lakeside villas add pontoons and gardens. Lyon, the region's capital, anchors the west, with the Auvergne's green volcanoes beyond.
Things to Do
Winter is the obvious draw: six hundred kilometres of linked pistes in the Three Valleys, Megève's charming tree-lined runs, off-piste guiding, ski touring and long lunches in mountain restaurants, with non-skiers catered for by spas, husky sledding and heliport sightseeing around Mont Blanc. Summer is just as compelling. Lake Annecy is one of Europe's cleanest lakes, superb for swimming, paddleboarding and wakeboarding, ringed by a beloved cycling path, and the surrounding passes starred in countless Tours de France. Hikers and mountaineers have the Vanoise National Park and the Mont Blanc massif; paragliders launch above Annecy and Chamonix. Further west, Lyon's Renaissance old town and food halls reward a city day, and the Chaîne des Puys volcanoes offer gentle crater-rim walking. Concierge teams arrange guides, instructors, boats and passes throughout.
Food and Local Flavour
Few regions on earth eat better. Lyon is France's acknowledged gastronomic capital, from its traditional bouchons to a dense constellation of starred tables, and the surrounding countryside supplies the produce: Bresse poultry, Charolais beef, fish from the lakes and wines from the northern Rhône and Savoie. In the mountains the register is alpine and generous, built on Reblochon, Beaufort and Abondance cheeses, tartiflette and fondue after a day on the pistes, alongside some of the highest concentrations of fine mountain dining in the Alps around Megève and the Three Valleys. Annecy adds lakefront terraces and lake fish. Private chefs are a chalet tradition here, and concierges can arrange in-chalet raclette evenings, cellar tastings and tables at the region's celebrated restaurants.
When to Visit
The region runs two full seasons. Winter stretches from December to April, with the high Belleville valley and Val Thorens among the most snow-sure destinations in the Alps and Megève at its most romantic under fresh snow; February half-terms are the peak, January and March the connoisseur's windows. Summer, from June to September, belongs to the lakes and high trails: Annecy's water warms for swimming, mountain lifts reopen for hiking and biking, and alpine villages enjoy long, bright days. Spring and late autumn are quiet between seasons, though Lyon and the Auvergne remain rewarding year-round. Christmas, New Year and February weeks in the ski resorts are best reserved many months ahead.
Getting There
Geneva (GVA) is the principal gateway for the northern French Alps, roughly an hour from Megève and Annecy and around two hours from the Three Valleys, with global connections. Lyon-Saint Exupéry (LYS) serves the whole region and its TGV station, Grenoble (GNB) and Chambéry (CMF) add seasonal ski routes. High-speed trains reach Lyon from Paris in about two hours, with alpine connections via Annecy and Moûtiers, the rail head for Méribel and the Belleville valley. Private transfers from Geneva are the standard chalet arrival, and helicopter transfers are available for the final leg. A car is useful for touring, though in-resort concierge drivers cover daily needs.