The Best Things to Do in Saint-Gervais-les-Bains
An authentic Savoyard village and a 200-year-old thermal town at the foot of Mont Blanc, Saint-Gervais-les-Bains has enough to fill a whole holiday, summer or winter. Here is what to see and do — with the figures, distances and tips you actually need.
Saint-Gervais-les-Bains is not a purpose-built resort: it is a real Savoyard village that doubles as a historic thermal-spa town and a gateway to the Mont Blanc massif. People come to ski one of the largest ski areas in the Alps, to hike close to the glaciers, to unwind at the thermal baths, or simply to wander a town with genuine character. Less than an hour from Geneva, St Gervais makes an excellent year-round base.
The Mont Blanc Tramway & the Nid d’Aigle
This is the number-one attraction. The Tramway du Mont-Blanc (the Mont Blanc Tramway, an electric cog railway opened in 1913) is the highest train in France. It climbs from Le Fayet (580 m) to the Nid d’Aigle (2,372 m) over 12.4 km of track, on gradients of up to 25%, in about one hour. Stops along the way include Saint-Gervais, the Col de Voza (1,600 m) and Bellevue.
The Nid d’Aigle is the first stage of the classic Mont Blanc ascent via the Goûter route — this is where climbers set off for the summit — but you do not need to climb higher to enjoy a stunning view of the Glacier de Bionnassay and the Aravis range. The ride itself, clinging to the slope through forest, alpine meadows and finally bare rock and snow, is half the experience. Tip: get off at the Col de Voza or Bellevue for a picnic with a view, then walk down or catch the train back. Bring warm layers even in midsummer — it can be 15°C colder at the top than in the valley. Return adult fares run roughly €30–37 to the Nid d’Aigle; book ahead in high season and check tramwaydumontblanc.fr for current prices and opening dates. The departure station at Le Fayet is easy to reach by train (see how to get to Saint-Gervais), so you can leave the car behind.
Les Thermes du Mont Blanc — the thermal baths
St Gervais has been a thermal spa town for over 200 years. Set in a wooded gorge in the Parc Thermal at Le Fayet, beside a waterfall, Les Thermes du Mont Blanc offer a full wellness circuit: indoor and heated outdoor pools, steam baths, sauna, heated stone loungers, immersive grottoes and treatments using naturally warm thermal water drawn straight from the spring. The setting alone — tucked into greenery at the foot of the cascade — makes it special. It is the perfect thing to do on a grey day, after a day’s skiing, or to recover after a long hike, and you can easily spend half a day here. (St Gervais is also a working medical spa; if you are coming for a spa cure, see our thermal-spa apartment in Saint-Gervais, a short walk from Les Thermes.)
The Bettex / Mont d’Arbois cable car
From the village, the Le Bettex / Mont d’Arbois cable car lifts you onto the mountain in both summer and winter. In summer it opens up high-altitude walks and panoramic views over the Mont Blanc massif, with the alpine pasture of Mont Joux (1,900 m) within reach; in winter it is one of the main gateways into the ski area. It is also the link toward Megève across the ridge, so even non-skiers can ride up for the view and a mountain lunch.
The town centre, markets & baroque heritage
The town centre is worth a proper stroll for its lanes, sunny terraces, fountains and heritage. Highlights include the Maison Forte de Hautetour (a museum and arts centre in a restored medieval house), Pile-Pont Expo (contemporary art installed inside a bridge pier — a genuine, photogenic curiosity), and the remarkable baroque church of Saint-Nicolas-de-Véroce, a jewel of Savoyard baroque art with a gilded altarpiece, set in a hamlet of traditional chalets with Mont Blanc views. The weekly market is held every Thursday, all year round (local produce, Savoie cheeses, charcuterie, honey, crafts) — ideal for putting together a picnic or chalet dinner — with a lively evening market added in summer. The town also hosts the Saint-Gervais comedy festival through the year.
Hiking & the Tour du Mont Blanc
Saint-Gervais is an official stage town on the Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB), the famous trek that circles the massif — making it a comfortable base for a night before or after the trail. Great walks from the village include:
- Saint-Gervais to the Nid d’Aigle: around 7.5 km with nearly 1,700 m of ascent (many take the tramway up and walk down).
- The Glacier de Bionnassay: a spectacular face-to-face with the ice, reached from Bellevue or the Nid d’Aigle.
- The Miage valley: a family-friendly walk to the Refuge de Miage, ideal for a picnic by the mountain stream.
Two accessible mountain huts (refuges) let you spend a night at altitude: the family-friendly Refuge du Nid d’Aigle, facing the glacier, and the Refuge de Miage, a great target for a day walk. Sharing a meal, falling asleep in total silence and waking to sunrise on the peaks is an unforgettable experience for all ages — book ahead in summer, as places are limited.
In summer you can also try paragliding (tandem flights with a qualified instructor, no experience needed), mountain biking and e-biking on graded trails, all-terrain scooters for a fun, accessible descent, and the Mont-Blanc Parc Aventure tree-top park at Le Fayet. For cooling off, there is the municipal pool with a water slide, plus lake swimming at nearby Passy and Sallanches with Mont Blanc as a backdrop. For a summer stay close to all of this, see our summer apartment in Saint-Gervais.
Skiing the Évasion Mont-Blanc ski area
In winter, St Gervais opens onto the Évasion Mont-Blanc ski area, one of the largest linked ski areas in the Alps with around 445 km of slopes connecting Saint-Gervais, Megève, Saint-Nicolas-de-Véroce, Combloux and Les Contamines-Montjoie. You reach it from the village gondola (the Le Bettex / Mont d’Arbois cable car), and can ski across to Megève on the snow. There is terrain for every level, from beginner zones to the black runs of Mont Joux, all facing Mont Blanc — and crucially it tends to be less crowded than Chamonix or Megève. For a base near the lifts, see our ski apartment in Saint-Gervais. Beyond downhill skiing you will find a free sledging run at the Plateau de la Croix (reached by the Chef-Lieu chairlift), over 30 km of cross-country trails, ski touring on six marked routes, snowshoeing and dog-sledding. You do not even need to ski to enjoy a winter stay: snowy village walks, the thermal baths and mountain restaurants make St Gervais ideal when not everyone in the group skis.
Saint-Gervais with kids
Families are very well served, summer and winter. Highlights include the free sledging run at the Plateau de la Croix, a night in the family-friendly Nid d’Aigle mountain hut (from age 2), the goat farm (Au Cœur de Montjoie, with around 90 goats, milking and cheese-making), the municipal pool with its water slide and paddling area, the Mont-Blanc Parc Aventure tree-top park, husky-pulled walks (cani-rando), and of course riding the vintage electric Mont Blanc Tramway. In winter, beginner zones and ski schools (ESF) welcome young children with snow gardens and magic carpets. Because everything is close to the village, you can string activities together without long drives.
What to do on a rainy day
Bad weather is no problem here. Head for Les Thermes du Mont Blanc (the thermal baths), the indoor municipal pool with its sauna and steam room, the Maison Forte de Hautetour museum, the Pile-Pont Expo contemporary-art space, or the baroque church of Saint-Nicolas-de-Véroce. A day trip to Annecy or Geneva (both under an hour away) is another good indoor-friendly option.
Where to eat & drink
Savoyard cooking takes centre stage — fondue, raclette, tartiflette and alpine cheeses. Around the village you will find traditional tables such as L’Edelweiss, and on the mountain there are altitude restaurants where you can lunch in the sun facing Mont Blanc, skis or hiking boots on. For a drink, the BJ’S Café, with its surprising vintage-car-garage decor, is a local institution. Book ahead for dinner in high season.
Day trips from Saint-Gervais
St Gervais is perfectly placed for exploring the wider Mont Blanc country:
| Destination | Distance | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Megève | ~12 km | Chic village, shopping and dining. |
| Chamonix | ~25 km (≈ 26 min) | Aiguille du Midi, Mer de Glace, the home of alpinism. |
| Annecy | ~60 km | Beautiful old town and one of Europe’s loveliest lakes. |
| Geneva | ~70 km | International city, Lake Geneva, museums. |
Tip: Chamonix is also reachable by the Mont Blanc Express train from Le Fayet station — no car needed — making it easy to ride up the Aiguille du Midi (3,842 m) or take the Montenvers railway to the Mer de Glace. Annecy and Geneva make perfect bad-weather backup days.
Where to stay to enjoy it all
To have everything within reach, a central base helps. The holiday apartment Le Refuge (46 chemin du Creux), 1.5 km from the cable car and close to the town centre, makes an ideal base in summer and winter alike: the slopes, the thermal baths, Le Fayet station and the hiking trailheads are all minutes away. With private parking, a fully equipped kitchen and beds for a family or group, it is a comfortable home base — and booking direct means no platform commission. Discover the Le Refuge apartment and book direct.
Frequently asked questions
What is there to do in Saint-Gervais-les-Bains in summer?
In summer: hiking (St Gervais is a stage town on the Tour du Mont Blanc, plus walks to the Glacier de Bionnassay and the Miage valley), riding the Mont Blanc Tramway up to the Nid d’Aigle, mountain biking and all-terrain scooters, paragliding, the Mont-Blanc Parc Aventure tree-top park, swimming (municipal pool, lakes) and a night in a family-friendly mountain hut.
What is there to do in Saint-Gervais-les-Bains in winter?
In winter: skiing the Évasion Mont-Blanc ski area (around 445 km of slopes linked to Megève and neighbouring resorts), plus a free sledging run at the Plateau de la Croix, over 30 km of cross-country trails, ski touring, snowshoeing, dog-sledding, and relaxing at Les Thermes du Mont Blanc. You can also enjoy the village without skiing at all.
What can you do in Saint-Gervais on a rainy day?
On a rainy day, head for Les Thermes du Mont Blanc (the thermal baths), the indoor municipal pool with sauna and steam room, the Maison Forte de Hautetour museum, the Pile-Pont Expo contemporary-art space, or the baroque church of Saint-Nicolas-de-Véroce. A day trip to Annecy or Geneva (under an hour away) is another good indoor option.
What is there to do in Saint-Gervais with kids?
For families: the free sledging run at the Plateau de la Croix, a night in the family-friendly Nid d’Aigle mountain hut, the goat farm (Au Cœur de Montjoie), the municipal pool with its water slide, the Mont-Blanc Parc Aventure tree-top park, and riding the vintage Mont Blanc Tramway. In winter, beginner zones and ski schools (ESF) welcome young children.
What is the Mont Blanc Tramway (Tramway du Mont-Blanc)?
It is the highest train in France (an electric cog railway opened in 1913). It links Le Fayet (580 m) to the Nid d’Aigle (2,372 m) over 12.4 km of track in about one hour, with stops at Saint-Gervais, the Col de Voza (1,600 m) and Bellevue. The Nid d’Aigle is the first stage of the Mont Blanc ascent via the Goûter route. Return adult fares run roughly €30–37; check the operator’s website for current prices.
When is the market in Saint-Gervais-les-Bains?
The Saint-Gervais market is held every Thursday, all year round, with local produce, Savoie cheeses and crafts. In summer there is also an evening market.
Where to stay in Saint-Gervais
Le Refuge: a self-catered 3-star apartment, sleeps 6, 1.5 km from the lifts. Book direct, no commission.