Les Fermes de Marie : The Perfect Family Hotel in the French Alps

Nestled in the heart of Megève village, this five-star hotel blends authentic Savoyard charm, understated luxury and family-first services. A place families come back to, season after season.

Once dubbed the "Saint-Tropez of the Alps", Megève has long been the mountain destination of choice for discerning families seeking both elegance and authenticity. Imagine yourself strolling cobblestone streets lined with snow-dusted chalets, the Mont Blanc massif rising majestically on the horizon, a setting so picture-perfect it hardly feels real. And at the heart of it all, Les Fermes de Marie stands as one of the finest family hotels the French Alps has to offer.

Whether you are planning a winter ski holiday or a summer mountain escape, this five-star retreat manages something rare: making every member of the family feel genuinely at home.

Authentic alpine luxury

What immediately sets Les Fermes de Marie apart is its complete absence of artifice. The hotel was born from the careful restoration of several centuries-old Savoyard farmhouses, brought together to form a secluded hamlet that has lost none of its original soul. Aged timber beams, hand-picked antiques, natural stone and warm wool textiles create an atmosphere that feels like a high-end family chalet.

That same spirit carries through to the table. At the heart of the main chalet, Le Restaurant traditionnel serves mountain cuisine made with local produce. For something more convivial, Le Carnotzet is the place to go: a cheese lover's haven of fondues and raclettes, with its warm wood-and-tile décor and unmistakably Savoyard soul (open in winter only). In summer, the experience moves outdoors to L'Alpage des Fermes, a table d'hôte set in the mountain pastures.

A hotel that truly thinks of children

Les Fermes de Marie embody a particular vision of family travel: one where neither parents nor children have to compromise. Les Fermes de Marie gets this balance right. Spacious family suites and private chalets provide the room that travelling with children demands, while a complimentary Kids Club, daily babysitting, complete baby equipment and free breakfast for under-12s take care of the practicalities. And every young guest is treated to a daily gourmet break: homemade pastries, fluffy waffles and the hotel's signature hot chocolate served fireside in the cosy lounge and library from 2 to 6pm. Parents, meanwhile, are free to enjoy the Pure Altitude Spa — a remarkable 1,000 sqm wellness sanctuary using plants and essential oils sourced from the alpine meadows.

Mountain life, all year round

In winter, the hotel runs daily shuttles to the ski lifts, making mornings on the slopes seamless even with a full family kit in tow. Come summer, Megève's lush alpine pastures become a playground for hiking, cycling and nature discovery. Back at the hotel, the warmth of a Savoyard fondue dinner — said by regulars to be the finest in Megève — rounds off any mountain day perfectly.

With its rich calendar of activities and its exceptional mountain setting, Les Fermes de Marie turns a family ski trip or summer holiday into something far more memorable.