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Saint-Gervais boasts an exceptional network of hiking trails, ranging from short family loops around the village to athletic treks toward the peaks. Highlights include:
• The Nid d'Aigle (2,386 m): the terminus of the Mont Blanc Tramway offers a breathtaking panorama of the glaciers. You can take the tram up or, for the more adventurous, hike up from Bellevue.
• The Prarion plateau : accessible by gondola from Les Houches, it offers one of the most beautiful views of the Mont Blanc massif. Perfect for a picnic with a view.
• The Bionnassay waterfall : an easy and spectacular walk, perfect for families, leading to an impressive waterfall.
TheSaint-Gervais Tourist Office provides guidebooks and maps to help you plan your routes. Many hikes start directly from the village center or the surrounding hamlets.
Located on the route of the legendary Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB), Saint-Gervais is also an ideal playground for trail runners. Several technical and scenic trails are marked out around the resort, offering varied elevation gains and breathtaking landscapes. The Bionnassay, Bellevue, and Col du Tricot trails are particularly popular with locals and visitors alike.
Between man-made lakes, an ecological swimming pond, and ancient thermal baths, Saint-Gervais and its surroundings offer great options for cooling off in the summer. It’s the perfect way to round off your hiking days with a healthy dose of relaxation.
The Saint-Gervais aquatic center is open year-round and expands in the summer with an outdoor pool equipped with a slide. You will find a lap pool, a 43 m² family play area, a paddling pool for little ones, and a wellness area with a sauna, steam room, and solarium. Group classes are also available, including aquabiking, aqua cardio sculpt, and water trampolining—all with a view of the Mont-Blanc foothills.
Less than 10 km from Saint-Gervais, Lac de Passy is the region's must-visit lake. With a lifeguarded beach, swimming, paddleboarding, windsurfing, electric boats, fishing, mini-golf, go-karting, and orienteering courses, there is something for all ages and interests, all set against the backdrop of Mont-Blanc.
About ten kilometers to the west, the Combloux lake is a unique attraction: it was the first ecological swimming pond to open in France. Its 1,500 m² of water is naturally filtered by over 10,000 aquatic plants. The water, warmed by the mountain sun, is of remarkable quality.
For a different experience, the Bains du Mont-Blanc offer a wellness circuit in natural thermal water that has been flowing from the top of Europe for over 200 years.
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One of the great joys of summer in the mountains is crossing paths with marmots! These friendly rodents are easy to spot at altitudes above 1,500m. The alpine pastures around Le Prarion and Le Bettex are particularly good spots for sightings. Keep an eye on the sky, too: ibex, chamois, and golden eagles frequently appear along the ridges.
Tip: head out early in the morning (before 9 a.m.) or in the late afternoon to maximize your chances of spotting alpine wildlife.
Saint-Gervais keeps a wonderful tradition of alpine farming alive. Several farms open their doors in the summer, allowing visitors to discover how Savoyard cheeses—like Beaufort, Tomme, and Reblochon—are made and to meet the producers. It’s an authentic experience that families with children love. Check with theTourist Office to find out which farms are open for visits during the season.
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Mountains sometimes mean rain! But Saint-Gervais has plenty of ideas for less-than-perfect days:
• The Saint-Gervais Thermal Baths: the spa is the ultimate spot to recharge while it rains. Baths, treatments, and relaxation—a well-deserved wellness break.
• Explore the village: the Saint-Nicolas baroque church, the narrow streets of the old town, and the local shops are all great to discover in the drizzle.
• A trip to Chamonix: just 25 minutes away, Chamonix offers museums (Espace Tairraz, Alpine Museum) and plenty of indoor activities.
• Food and drink: take the opportunity to explore Savoyard specialties in the village's restaurants and wine cellars.
The Saint-Gervais market is held every Tuesday morning, featuring local producers offering cheeses, cured meats, honey, and seasonal fruits and vegetables. It is the best place to stock up on Savoyard flavors and meet the locals. In summer, a few themed and craft markets are added to the schedule.
Saint-Gervais is actually a constellation of hamlets clinging to the mountainside. Le Bettex, Bionnassay, Le Champel, and nearby Les Contamines-Montjoie—each place has its own character. Strolls among the chalets, terraced gardens, and paths connecting the hamlets offer pleasant local walks, without the need for a car or excessive elevation gain.
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Saint-Gervais is an ideal base for exploring the entire Mont-Blanc valley. In less than an hour, you can reach:
• Chamonix and the Aiguille du Midi: the highest cable car in Europe, the Mer de Glace, and the glaciers.
• Les Contamines-Montjoie: an authentic village ranked among the most beautiful in France, at the gateway to the nature reserve.
• Megève: 15 minutes away, for shopping, Michelin-starred restaurants, and the village's upscale charm.
• Courmayeur (Italy): via the Mont-Blanc Tunnel, a very popular excursion on the Italian side.
• Lake Annecy: a 1-hour drive away, for swimming in its turquoise waters and visiting the old town.
• Best time to visit: July and August for guaranteed good weather; June and September to avoid the crowds and enjoy lower prices.
• Altitude and cool air: Saint-Gervais sits at an altitude of 820m. Days are often warm, but evenings can be cool—be sure to pack an extra layer.
• Mountain weather: afternoon thunderstorms can roll in quickly. Head out for your hikes in the morning and check the mountain weather forecast the night before.
• Car-free : Saint-Gervais is accessible by train from Geneva and Paris. The valley lift and local shuttles provide easy access to the various hamlets.
Choosing the right accommodation often makes the difference between a good holiday and a great one. Ideally located 150m from the train station and the valley lift, and just 3 minutes from the motorway exit, PlanB puts you at the heart of all the best spots to visit.
After a day of hiking, swimming in the lake, or trail running, enjoy the warm atmosphere of our restaurant and bar to reconnect with friends and family. And if you're in the mood for a late night, our bowling alley is the perfect way to round off the day.
An ideal starting point for exploring Saint-Gervais and the Mont-Blanc valley, and a place you'll love coming back to in the evening.
In summer, Saint-Gervais offers a wide range of activities: hiking in the alpine pastures, trail running, swimming in mountain streams and lakes, wildlife spotting (marmots, ibex), visiting alpine farms, taking a trip on the Mont-Blanc Tramway, and strolling through the village and its markets. It is an ideal destination for nature and outdoor enthusiasts.
You have several options: the municipal swimming pool with its outdoor basin and slide, Lake Passy (the largest in the Mont-Blanc region, 10 km away), the Combloux biotope lake for a 100% natural swimming experience, Lake Sallanches with its lifeguarded beach in July and August, and the Saint-Gervais Thermal Baths for an experience in ancient thermal waters.
Marmots are easily spotted at altitudes above 1,500 meters. The Prarion, Bettex, and the alpine pastures around Bellevue are well-known spots for sightings. Head out early in the morning or late in the afternoon to maximize your chances, and stay quiet so you don't scare them off!
If it rains, the Saint-Gervais thermal baths are the perfect option. You can also visit the village and its Baroque church, take a trip to Chamonix (museums, shopping), or enjoy the local restaurants to sample Savoyard specialties. A "slow" day in the village can also be a great opportunity to truly rest between two beautiful hikes.
Saint-Gervais is perfectly positioned for exploring the entire region: Chamonix and its glaciers (25 min), Megève and its mountain charm (15 min), Les Contamines-Montjoie for wild hiking, Lake Annecy for swimming (1 hour), and even Courmayeur in Italy via the Mont-Blanc Tunnel. The list of activities is virtually endless.
Several alpine farms are accessible in the summer around Saint-Gervais. They offer tours and tastings of cheeses made on-site (Beaufort, Tomme de Savoie). Dates and locations vary depending on the summer grazing season—check with the Saint-Gervais Tourist Office to find out which farms are open to the public during your stay.
For an easy stroll, the village center and its narrow streets are a delight for wanderers. The paths connecting the various hamlets (Bettex, Bionnassay, Champel) offer beautiful, bucolic walks. For something more ambitious, marked trails leading to alpine pastures and waterfalls start directly from the village or the cable car parking lots.