Saint-Gervais
Set in a narrow river gorge halfway between Megève and Chamonix, the landscape is impressive wherever you look. Saint-Gervais has been investing in recent years in making the mountains accessible and enjoyable for all as a 4-season alpine town, offering new transport options for those staying (and living) in the town. The Ascenseur des Thermes – an elevator lift - provides direct access to the Mont Blanc Baths for visitors from the town (open year-round 6am-11pm, free), whilst a new gondola lift, Le Valléen which opened in the latter part of 2024 (open 7am-8.30am year-round for a small charge incl. with bikes), departs from the train station in Le Fayet, providing rapid access to Saint-Gervais town centre in just 5 minutes!
This Savoyard market town offers an excellent selection of restaurants, bars and shops. Every Thursday morning in Saint-Gervais there is a market that is very popular with the locals and tourists alike. The town also puts on a great events programme, ticking the cultural and sporting boxes.
Among Saint Gervais’ attractions are the famous thermal baths (with natural warm spring waters 39c) where you can take a relaxing spa treatment, a cinema, large casino and many activities such as unforgettable walks and rambles with over 300km of marked paths and trails, including a Baroque footpath, and nearly 200km of mountain bike itineraries. An excursion up the mountain on the famous Mont-Blanc Tramway is not to be missed!
The Mont Blanc Tramway is one of the last rack & pinion trains in France although the locomotives are no longer steam-powered. In summer, the Tramway takes you to the foot of the Bionnassay Glacier, the Nid d'Aigle, at an altitude of 2,372 metres. From here experienced mountaineers can climb to the Tête Rousse and Goûter mountain huts, and the Mont Blanc.
A short drive away is the internationally recognised town of Chamonix. Chamonix is also the world capital of mountaineering. Very cosmopolitan, it boasts first-rate leisure facilities and a huge range of shops and restaurants. There are also ample activities to keep you busy in Chamonix such as L’Aiguille du Midi which is reached by cable car from Chamonix. The views from Europe’s highest cable car station (3,842m) are literally breathtaking. From there you can walk back to the famous Mer de Glace with ease and catch the Montenvers train back to town.
Top 10 summer activities to experience in Saint-Gervais
Please note Peak Retreats do not book any activities and most activities are payable. For more information about pricing and availability, please contact the Saint-Gervais Tourist Office.
Thermal Baths
Set in a ten-hectare park in 'Le Fayet', the Thermal Baths are surrounded by nature and bordered by the Bon-Nant River. Here you will find a hot spring (one of nine renowned for their healing and soothing properties). The Thermal Baths are easily accessible from the village of Saint-Gervais by taking The Ascenseur des Thermes, which is open daily.
In 2018 they extended the Thermal Baths so it now boasts a 3,000m2 sensory spa circuit based on mineral, ice and plant themes. The facility includes showers, baths, ice and salt grottoes, steam rooms, saunas and seven treatment rooms. It boasts over 200 years of medical expertise.
Mountain biking
Thanks to the diversity of the landscapes, Saint Gervais has been able to develop a whole network of mountain bike trails, allowing riding for all levels. In 2025, they built a new downhill mountain bike itinerary from 'Le Bettex' to the park in 'Le Fayet'. An extension of the existing Wizz trail, from 'Mont d’Arbois' to 'Le Bettex', this new run is classified as a red trail and is suitable for the more experienced biker. You can hire bikes in the town and also take mountain bike lessons. There are also powered mountain bikes, amongst other styles of bikes.
Bike park and pump track
Saint-Gervais boasts nearly 200km of mountain bike and electric-assisted mountain bike itineraries, ranging from short 5km to longer 24km tracks, which are accessible to all levels. Thrill-seekers can embrace the bike park, fat-bike outings and the all-terrain scooter experience, while the young ones can enjoy the pump track.
Orienteering courses
There are 4 orienteering courses suitable for families, groups and individuals alike. Come and discover the natural and cultural riches of resort; its thermal baths, its Baroque heritage, its mountain pastures and its superb views of the Mont-Blanc range in a fun combination of orientation, running and puzzle-solving.
Walking trail routes of interest
There are several self-guided itineraries including:
- Boucle des maisons fortes - an hour-long walk to discover the medieval fortifications that dot the town, or the Itinéras project - a tour of the churches, chapels and oratories,
- Sentier du Baroque (Baroque Trail) is a 20km itinerary linking Cordon, Combloux, Saint-Nicolas de Véroce and Les Contamines Montjoie (there is also a trail for mountain bikers),
- For amateurs of contemporary art, the 2KM3 circuit leads to the discovery of ephemeral urban art in and around town. Works include monumental frescoes in the underground car park or on the wall of the Post Office.
Mont Blanc Tramway
The highest rack and pinion railway in France! Not to be missed! Departing from 'Le Fayet' (580m) and/or 'Saint Gervais' (820m), stopping at Motivon, Col de Volza, Bellevue and Mont-Lachat (2,077 m). The 12.4km itinerary offers a unique panoramic ride towards the mountain pastures. It also carries mountaineers to the start of the famous Voie Royale climbing route to the summit of Mont-Blanc (1hr 15mins journey time).
A project was started in 2023 to extend the railway line by 300m, which will then create a safe terminus at the Nid d’Aigle refuge and is due to be completed by summer 2026.
Via ferrata
This fun, thrilling and scenic activity explores paths inaccessible to ordinary hikers. This relatively difficult course winds its way through the heart of the Bonnant gorges, between the Parc Thermal in 'Le Fayet' and the town of 'Saint-Gervais Mont-Blanc'. Obstacles along the itinerary include 3 Nepalese footbridges, a log bridge, a beam and a monkey bridge. You can choose from several levels of difficulty.
Swimming pool
Outdoor and indoor pools. Nestled at the foot of the Mont-Blanc massif, the Saint-Gervais Mont-Blanc village swimming pool offers you an exceptional aquatic experience in a unspoilt natural setting. In summer you have views of the snow-capped peaks of the Dômes de Miage and surrounding mountains from the outdoor pool.
Families will appreciate the 43m2 play pool. The adjoining paddling pool offers a safe environment for toddlers, where they can splash around and explore the joys of water under the watchful eye of the lifeguards.
The dedicated wellness area offers a sauna and hammam.
Indoor ice rink
The rink is covered and accessible to all. Parking is located nearby, and it’s also possible to get there on foot from the village centre of Saint-Gervais or by the free shuttle bus.
Mont Blanc Parc Aventure
Come and discover fun tree courses in the 'Parc Thermal du Fayet', in a quiet, shady area. You will find monkey bridges, footbridges, nets, 180m zip lines. Discover different courses adapted to every age: Parcours Bambins (3 to 6 years), Grand Parcours (7 to 14 years) and Adult (15 years and over). It's a great family activity!
Other activities you can find in the town include tennis courts, yoga, mini-golf, climbing, horse riding, bungee jump from the Saint-Gervais bridge where you’ll plunge over the gorges du Bonnant...and much more!
Saint Gervais bars and restaurants
Saint Gervais has a large selection of bars and restaurants - in fact there are over 75 restaurants in the town, which is bustling all year around, not just in the summer months and ski season.
Why not try:
- Le Relais des Communailles in 'Le Bettex' at 1,430m. It boasts a spectacular view of the majestic Mont-Blanc with barbecues, DJ sets, brunches and comedy clubs in the summer months,
- La Maison des Pratz in 'Saint Gervais'. The owners also run La Ferme de Cupelin, Olivia and Romain Desgranges and now La Maison des Pratz which is a café, bar and restaurant suitable for sports enthusiasts, epicureans and children,
- Bistro Le Mont Joly in 'Saint-Nicolas de Veroce'. This gourmet must serves authentic fondues, and the likes of, in a warm chic atmosphere, complete with an open fireplace. The village itself is definitely worth a visit.
Amenities
There is also a large selection of shops including food shops, sports shops, gift shops, bakeries, butchers, tabac etc. Everything you would usually find in a small town.
By Road:
Driving distance from Calais to Saint Gervais 545 miles or 7hrs30
By Rail:
Direct TGV from Paris to Saint-Gervais
Saint-Gervais/Le Fayet railway station Tel. +33 836 35 35 35
Connecting TGV trains to Annecy and Geneva.
More information at any train station in France, by phone (from France): 0891 67 68 00 or Internet
Airports:
Geneva Airport is 86km from Saint Gervais (1 hour)
www.gva.ch/en
Chambery Airport 124km (1 ¼ hours)
www.chambery-airport.com
Lyon Saint-Exupery is 206km from Saint Gervais (2 hours)
www.lyonairport.com
Grenoble Airport is 214km from St Gervais (2 hours)
www.grenoble-airport.com
Regular bus transfers from GVA to Le Fayet (nr St Gervais) via SAT bus,
40, place de la gare
74400 Chamonix Mont-Blanc
Tel: +33(0)450530115
http://www.sat-montblanc.com
Getting around St Gervais:
Saint-Gervais promises car-free access due to the ease of getting the train into St Gervais (even from the UK), so two free shuttle bus routes link Le Valléen, L’Alpin and the Ascenseur des Thermes to other areas in resort (Saint Gervais town centre and Saint-Nicolas de Véroce). This service is available all year-round, daily, 7am-8pm.
