St Gervais Village
St Gervais is a beautiful historic town, dating back to the middle ages.
As such, the village has a developed very organically, and thats how it feels, relaxed and peaceful.
Founded in the Roman era, the town flourished during the middle ages as one of the largest market towns in the Alps, and was bringing in tourists in 1806. St Gervais is that very rare thing, a ski resort with real character and real history. The first ski lift, the famous rack and pinion railway 'The Tramway du Mont Blanc', (originally designed to go all the way tho the top of Mont Blanc!) is situated just 200m from our chalet, was installed in 1904 and still runs today as the highest rack and pinion railway in Europe!
The area is famous for the thermal springs and spa. In the village itself there are numerous fountains and basins, flowing endlessly with ice-cold water, and in St Gervais Le Fayet (a couple of minutes down the valley) sits Les Thermes Spa. Initially built as a largely medicinal center, the spa was hit by tregedy in the mid 1800's when a landslide destroyed the buildings and killed numerous people.
The whole site has been completely rebuilt in it own stunning and tranquil gardens, and a multi million euro investment has brought with it top-quality beauty therapy services to add to the world-class reputation the center carries for its healing side, mostly skin related, the water is rich in potassium and sulphur, excellent for burns victims and those suffering from eczema and psorisis.
St Gervais is a resort that balances very well development with the need for the town to retain its appeal and authenticty. An excellent free bus services runs from all over the village to the lift and tourist office, running every 10 minutes in the mornings and afternoons, and the town's commitment to keeping everything looking great is evident in their subsidiation for every building to repaint all their exteriors every five years.
The village comprises half a dozen bars, more than a dozen restaurants and cafes, two potteries, three art galleries/showrooms, flower shops, artisanal bakeries, a park with beautiful carousel, an excellent butchers, homeware shops with local works,three small supermakets, an internet cafe, a pizzeria, a handful of hairdressers, the big, friendly, informative tourist info centre, a primary school, a post office, the baroque 17th Century church, and a few ski hire shops. Combined with 300 free underground parking space right in the town centre, under the 'Espace Mont Blanc' which acts as the location of many local events such as bingo, art shows, music events, conferences and expositions.
The restaurants are varied in terms of theme. A couple of brasserie style restaurants and cafes sit invitingly in the square, with outside seating and a big choice on the menus. There is a very good pizzeria, a couple of heavily savoie-oriented cheese melting restaurants, and a couple of cheerful and cheaper family friendly eatieries. But the best finds are in the shape of small, cosy, very marginally intimidating little bistrots and restaurants. 'Le Galletta', a good deal larger, but with the same excellent atmosphere and traditional decor, is the site of the best steak I've ever had, and that's quite a statement from me!
The bars are mostly laid back. 'Pur' bar offers classy cocktails and good wines in funky decor and cheerful service for the trendier of you.
'Le Grave' is the locals spot, full of the mountain guides and old-boys. 'Brasserie du Mont Blanc' offers pool and table-football, plus decent music and some late night atmosphere. 'Oboose Cafe' is a atmospheric little bar, with good drinks and (often unplanned and fairly unannounced!) live bands.
For more hectic nightlife, Chamonix is 20 minutes away, with some great pubs, lively nightclubs and loads of live music. I'll happily take you for a night out there and show you around.
Or you have Megeve; its chic, stylish and expensive - and well worth a visit of the wine bars and cocktail lounges.