ROUND TRIP
in Megève

Le Chemin du Calvaire

Unique in France for its history and its characteristics, the Chemin du Calvaire is a pleasant cultural walk, in a soothing setting that can be practiced in any season.
Tips and Suggestions

Guided tour possible, inquire at Megève Tourism.
Recommended route for strollers

History, culture and heritage

Between the heart of the capital and the plateau of Mont d'Arbois, rises one of the only Sacred Mountains, these mountains of the Passion punctuated by chapels and scenes of the ascent to Calvary, which our country has. Laid out between 1840 and 1878, the Calvary of Megève is above all the work of one man, Father Ambroise Martin (1791-1863), parish priest of Megève from 1820 to his death. Extending in an idyllic setting, it is made up of fifteen chapels and oratories depicting the stations of the Way of the Cross leading to Jerusalem's Golgotha.
The various buildings, which borrow from all the architectural styles of the past, house around fifty painted wooden statues, generally life-size, supplemented by frescoes and trompe l'oeil. Architecture, sculpture and painting combine here to evoke the life and Passion of Christ in strikingly realistic images. This very beautiful ensemble once constituted such an important place of pilgrimage that it earned Megève the nickname “Savoisian Jerusalem” for a time. Today listed as a Historic Monument, it represents a place of memory for local people, a pleasant destination for walks for vacationers and offers everyone a panoramic view of the upper Arly valley and the foothills of Mont -White.
Major restoration work, carried out between 2001 and 2007, restored the entire site to its initial appearance. The chapels and oratories have been carefully restored both internally and externally and the surrounding spaces redeveloped to reflect the XNUMXth century landscape.
The path is equipped with full lighting for more comfort and modernity.

Topo / step by step

0/ Departure from the village between the casino car park and the Vieux Megève restaurant via dirt steps towards the Saint Michel cross.

1/ Continue on the main path towards the first chapel: Our Lady of All Graces and the restaurant Le Refuge du Calvaire

2/ Let yourself be guided while going up on the path and observing the different oratories that present themselves throughout the walk.

3/ Arriving on the Mont d'Arbois plateau, take the path in the opposite direction or go down to the village by the shuttle (in season only) which takes you at the “Mont d'Arbois” stop.

Route details

Megève
Round trip
Tag
Suitable for city strollers
Autumn, Summer, Winter, Spring

Description

Between the heart of the capital and the plateau of Mont d'Arbois, rises one of the only Sacred Mountains, these mountains of the Passion punctuated by chapels and scenes of the ascent to Calvary, which our country has. Laid out between 1840 and 1878, the Calvary of Megève is above all the work of one man, Father Ambroise Martin (1791-1863), parish priest of Megève from 1820 to his death. Extending in an idyllic setting, it is made up of fifteen chapels and oratories depicting the stations of the Way of the Cross leading to Jerusalem's Golgotha.
Picnic area.Pedestrian sportsHiking route
DifficultyEasyDuration01h00Elevation155 D- ​​/ 155 D+Distance1,6 kmMax Altitude1300 m
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