Once a quiet agricultural town, Megève has gained a notable amount of popularity not only for its cozy ambiance, but also for its spacious and unique winter chalets. As far as architecture goes, the chalets of Megève are a combination of tradition and modernity.
A closer look at Megève’s chalets and traditional buildings will show a design evolution of its own, one that has influenced the way other winter chalets are designed throughout the world. These picturesque structures have defined the identity of Megève not only as a winter destination but an inspiration for designers everywhere.
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The Early Days of Art and Architecture in Megève
Before the early 20th century, art and architecture in Megève did not take as much precedence in the daily life of the townsfolk. The center of the town’s activity is the Calvaire de Megève, a local church built between 1840 and 1878. Designed to restore the faith of the people of Megève, the Calvaire contains fifteen chapels and different oratories depicting the Stations of the Cross.
The Calvaire still stands in Megève, featuring fifty life-size sculptures depicting characters from the life of Jesus. Trompe l’oeil paintings and frescoes are also featured in the oratories, which went through major restoration work between 2001 and 2007. Today the Calvaire stands as Megève’s center for art as well as a place of pilgrimage for Catholics.
The Evolution of Chalet Design
No discussion of Megève is complete without the first modern winter chalets that were built in the area. The evolution of the chalet in Megève can be owed to the collaboration between the de Rothschild family and the architect Henry-Jacques Le Même, who eventually established his presence in Megève.
Before his tenure began in Megève, Henry-Jacques Le Même was an architect and designer who trained with Le Corbusier and Jacques-Emile Ruhlmann. A chance encounter with industrialist Alphonse Beder led to Le Même coming into contact with the de Rothschilds, and in particular Baroness Noemie de Rothschild for whom Le Même designed his first chalet in Megève.
Le Même and the de Rothschilds would work together on various chalets, including the famous Chalets d’Mont Arbois, now a hotel managed by the Four Seasons group. The architectural details of the chalets marked Le Même’s vision of a welcoming chalet, with chromatic light-capturing windows, wooden beams, enveloping balconies, and large common areas under one massive roof.
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Megève’s Modern Chalets in the 21st Century
Because of the unique design of the de Rothschild chalets, other families requested similar chalets from Le Même, but the architect was determined not to build the same chalet more than once. When he built his home studio in Megève in the 1920s, it was characterized by a flat roof and a bright ochre color on the exterior, the antithesis of his large, home-like chalets in the area.
Henry-Jacques Le Même passed away in 1997, and his brightly colored home studio now stands as a heritage site. It has been said that Le Même’s own home, and the designs he created, stand as a symbol of innovation working within nature, defining what it truly means to have a home in the mountains.
Post-Le Même, Megève’s architects moved toward a return to tradition in the late 20th century. But concerns over environmental impact led to a return to modernity, thanks to regulations that facilitated the maximized use of bay windows and other functional design elements. Larger windows welcomed sunlight and heat into chalets, which in turn reduced energy costs.
Still, the contemporary chalets of the 21st century owe their functional design elements to the original vision of Henry-Jacques Le Même. They’ve adapted Le Même’s wide-open spaces inside and out to the modern era, incorporating advanced design and sophisticated materials with a concern for the environment.
Combined with the other must-have features of winter chalets in the Megève area, the town’s newest chalets are designed to maximize comfort and promote oneness with the natural environment.
Reconciling Tradition and Modernity in Megève
Both the Calvaire de Megève and the original Le Même chalets provide contrasts in how art and architecture are presented in Megève. They stand as testimonies to life in the mountains, whether they’re inspiring the faithful or providing a home away from home.
The town of Megève, as it stands now, presents a reconciliation between the past, present, and future, with both tourists and townsfolk enjoying the sights. For visitors staying in luxury private chalets in Megève, there are numerous opportunities to explore the town’s unique architectural heritage. Arrange with your chalet’s concierge services today to experience the town’s art and architecture.
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Featured Image: Domodeco
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