Meandering Around the Megève Region

During their last weekend in Europe, my summer visitors wanted to do some Alpine hiking.  After considering several possibilities, it was decided that our destination would be Megève, in nearby France.

Megève, considered by many to be one of the most beautiful resorts in the world, does not appear to be too well-known among Americans.  It is, however, much beloved by the French themselves who flock there in abundance during the high seasons.  Ever since I realized that Megève was the setting for one of the early scenes in the film Charade (the 1963 version, which I prefer), where Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn first meet, and that it was so close to where I live, it has been one of my favorite ski areas.  This was my first-ever visit during the summer.

After arriving, we headed for the Office du Tourisme where we received maps and information about potential "hiking" possibilities.  We were looking more for "family-type" recommendations, rather than for difficult slopes.  Unfortunately, the lift to our first preference was closed for the lunch hour so we headed for our alternate trail.  Most of the way up, via cable car, was pretty easy.

Mont Blanc, with its summit wreathed in clouds again that day, is also visible from Megève.

Hiking further upwards, the road looked deceptively easy - the uphill slope doesn't show.  Believe me, however, those of us who are not regular hikers felt both the altitude and the climb.  New muscles were discovered.

Lo and behold - an oasis in the mountains!  

We settled down to enjoy lunch at the oasis.

We still had energy to smile.

Afterwards, things should have been easier and, indeed they were, at first.

But then the path went straight downhill.

There were attractive and colorful plants along the steep trail.

And the cows in their summer pasture had seen people like us before.  Ho-hum!

It's still a LONG ways down.

The girls glided along with the grace of gazelles.

Megève is getting closer.  But oh, how my quads hurt!

At long last, in the center of town and seated at a cafe,

enjoying the respite

and people-watching.

Now, why on earth do you suppose that woman got her hair braided like that?

And how does she brush it?