Walking
In summer there are hundreds of well marked mountain paths for walking in and around St Gervais and Les Contamines. They range from easy family walks to more challenging hikes. St Gervais is one of the starting points for the famous Tour du Mont Blanc. Click here to see some of our favourite walking itineraries. Walking maps are also available from the Tourist Office.
Mountain biking
St Gervais is part of the Diamond Vert VTT circuit which has 90km of track, 11 lifts and covers Megève, Saint Nicolas de Véroce, Demi-Quartier, Combloux, La Giettaz, Flumet, Praz sur Arly, Notre-Dame de Bellecombe and Les Contamines Montjoie. More information and routes can be found on the Diamond Vert VTT website: www.diamantvert-vtt.com
Bike hire is available in St Gervais
Climbing
Here are a selection of climbing routes that are all within 20 minutes of St Gervais but there are many, many more only slightly further afield.
There are also climbing courses for children and adults available from the local guides.
(Please note that these are French grades)
|
No. of routes and grades |
| Name of area |
3/4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
Total |
| Eperon de la Cicle |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
| Tré-La-Tête |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
| La Duchère |
38 |
37 |
36 |
14 |
0 |
125 |
| Le Plan |
15 |
13 |
6 |
0 |
0 |
34 |
| Le Fayet |
7 |
17 |
20 |
12 |
1 |
56 |
| Larses & Barmus |
2 |
8 |
7 |
1 |
0 |
18 |
| Blocs de Plaine Joux |
7 |
8 |
7 |
10 |
0 |
34 |
| Les Fiz |
2 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
8 |
| Lady |
13 |
11 |
14 |
6 |
0 |
44 |
| Blocs de Médonnet |
7 |
18 |
39 |
22 |
1 |
87 |
| Pierre à Voix |
2 |
5 |
11 |
9 |
0 |
27 |
The Mont Blanc Escalade is an indoor climbing centre in Les Houches and is open all year.
Tel: 00 33 (0)4 50 54 76 48
www.montblancescalade.com
Tree top adventure park (Parcours)
There are two tree top adventure parks nearby, one in the Parc de Loisirs in Les Contamines and one in the Park Thermal in Le Fayet. Great fun for kids and adults alike as you cross rope bridges, swing from tree to tree and use zip lines etc.
Golf
Nearby Megève has an 18-hole golf course. The course has excellent facilities and is open to non-members in the summer (June-October depending on snow conditions).
www.golf.megeve.com
Swimming
St Gervais has a heated, outdoor swimming pool that is open from early June until mid September. The nearest indoor swimming pool is at the Thermal park in Le Fayet. There are also some lovely swimming lakes with beaches in nearby Sallanches, Les Contamines and Passy.
Tennis
St Gervais also has a large tennis club, with a selection of clay and synthetic courts, open to the public. This is also where they hold the St Gervais Open each year in July with $15 000 prize money!
More details here: www.opensaintgervaismontblanc.com
Horse riding
Treks through the mountains can be arranged through the Centre Equestre du Bettex at Le Bettex. (Tel. +33 (0)4 50 93 16 84 or +33 (0)6 13 35 72 75). The riding centre in the Parc de Loisirs at Les Contamines is open throughout the summer for pony rides and treks
(1 to 2 hours), lessons and courses. Prices from 6 €. (Tel. +33 (0)4 50 47 01 60)
contamines@ucpa-asso.fr - www.contamines.ucpa.com
Merlet Animal park
The Merlet Animal Park in nearby Les Houches is open from 1 May to 30 September. You can walk around the park and see the park's resident animals - marmottes, chamois goats, Lamas and a number of other animals . There is a small cafe/bar at the park where you can relax and enjoy the spectacular views of the Mont Blanc massif.
www.parcdemerlet.com
St Gervais Spa
The Parc Thermal in Saint Gervais/Le Fayet is the perfect place to relax. The spa offers a range of medical, health and beauty treatments.
Tel: 00 33 (0)4 50 47 54 54
www.thermes-st-gervais.com
Ice skating
There is an indoor ice skating rink in St Gervais which is open all year and is one of the homes to the Mont Blanc ice hockey team and regularly hosts ice hockey matches during the season.
Other activities
There are many activities that are available all year round in St Gervais and the surrounding area. You can take Europe's highest cable car up to the Aiguille du Midi and once at the top you can eat in the restaurant or just take in the panoramic views on the viewing platforms. Or take the Montenevers rack rail train will to the foot of the Mer de Glace (Sea of Ice), Europe's largest living glacier. Once at the glacier you can visit the Ice Grotto carved out of the glacier.
You could take a day trip to the beautiful city of Annecy, Geneva, Megève or Courmayer in Italy.
Visit a husky farm in Chamonix. The Husky farm is open for visits and trips. Tel: 0033 (0)4 50 47 77 24 www.huskydalen.com
Nearby Megeve offers hot air ballooning and helicopter and plane rides around Mont Blanc and the area and there are several companies that offer tandem paragliding jumps.
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