Combining traditional chalet character features with contemporary styling, this development has a fascinating back story
Character property pick
And the rest is ski-story W
hen Noémie de Rothschild arrived in the Alpine village of
Megève a century ago, she was a baroness on a mission. Uncomfortable sharing the
Swiss ski slopes of St-Moritz with German aristocrats so soon after the First World War, she dreamed of developing her own winter sports station in Haute-Savoie. Upon arrival in Megève, the baroness was seduced by its pretty church and bell tower, narrow cobbled streets and central square, excellent skiing and splendid views of Mont Blanc. She asked architect Henry
Jacques Le Même to build her “a chalet that resembles the local farms but with a very comfortable interior with large windows opening onto the landscape, a real fireplace, a porch sheltered from storms, and a ski room for waxing skis”. Le Même delivered and the rest, as they say, is history. Or
rather ski-story, because the architect went on to design dozens more holiday homes in Megève, setting the blueprint for the Alpine ski chalet as we know it today. By adding hotels, restaurants, bars and boutiques, he also transformed Megève into the very first purpose-built ski resort in the French Alps. Today the community of
some 3,000 people enjoys the cachet of being both ahead of the times and a bastion of rustic chic, with top-of-the- range sports and wellness facilities complementing its horse-drawn sleigh rides and traditional outdoor ice rink. Embodying the blend of
character and currency is this luxurious three-bedroom apartment in one of Le Même’s iconic chalets. The listed 1961 building, in a privileged setting off the tourist trail, is currently undergoing an eco-conscious renovation to transform it into a
18 FRENCH PROPERTY NEWS: January/February 2024
four-star tourist residence with high-end para-hotel services. The 14-apartment residence will feature geothermal heating, spa, sauna, hammam and fitness studio – all while preserving Le Même’s original architectural vision. The south-facing apartment
is on the second floor and is centred around a sumptuous 41m2
a balcony offering magical views of Mont Blanc. On one side, high sloping
ceilings allow for glazing that floods the living space with light and spectacular scenery while a suspended ceiling on the other side creates a more intimate ambiance. Here you’ll find the kitchen-diner with top-of-the-range appliances and worktops. The master suite (17m2
)
comes with a well-appointed bathroom, while the other two bedrooms, served by an adjoining bathroom, have
On the market for €1.88m with Sotheby’s International Realty Tignes
tignes-sothebysrealty.com
living room opening onto
In Megève, a ski chalet designed by a pioneer of Alpine architecture is being sympathetically transformed into luxury apartments, Ruth Wood discovers
direct access to the balcony with its Mont Blanc views. The apartment will be
sold fully equipped, but unfurnished, giving you the freedom to decorate it as you wish; an interior designer is available to advise. Each apartment has an individual locker in the ski room, and the communal car park has enough electrical charging points for each of the 14 dwellings. Just 20 minutes from a train
station with direct trains to Paris and little more than an hour from Geneva airport, Megève is an ultra-connected ski area with a gigantic 400km of slopes and a wealth of off-piste opportunities to exercise, relax and enjoy fine food. Even Baroness Rothschild would be impressed. ■
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