Coming to Megève by car

Ideally located at the crossroads between the pre-Alpine massifs of Giffre, the Aravis range and the Beaufortain mountains, the resort of Megève is very easy to access by car, whatever your origin.

All roads lead to Megève

Preciously established at the heart of a pass that separates the watersheds of the Arly to the southwest from that of the Arbon to the northeast, Megève is crossed on both sides by the departmental road D-1212. This pretty winding road, always perfectly safe and equipped with numerous chaining areas in winter and rest areas in summer, offers you magnificent landscapes all along your route, all in balcony. Accessible all year round thanks to snow removal carried out every day, Megève is always very easy to access, whatever your origin.

 

Even if Megève benefits from often very fluid traffic, take the reflex to check the traffic via applications, websites or directly from your GPS to avoid traffic jams, works or road accidents. Once you arrive in the village, many secure car parks and parking areas are available for you to park your car without constraint. Bon voyage, and see you soon in Megève!

Mandatory equipment on snow

Since November 1, 2021, chains or winter tires are mandatory to travel to mountainous areas. Thus, all vehicles wishing to travel to Megève from November 1 to March 31 must be equipped with chains, snow tires or four-season tires. This obligation concerns light and commercial vehicles, motorhomes, heavy goods vehicles and coaches traveling in the mountainous areas predefined by the prefects. As such, all drivers must have removable non-slip devices in their trunk (metal or textile chains, also called "snow socks"), thus making it possible to equip at least two drive wheels or to be equipped with four winter tires. .

Why this new regulation?

The objective of these new regulations is to enhance user safety by reducing the specific risks associated with driving on snow-covered or icy roads. It is also a question of avoiding situations of blockage in mountainous regions, in particular when unequipped vehicles find themselves across the tracks, unable to free themselves, immobilizing an entire axis of traffic. This is why all vehicles with four wheels and more are affected by this regulatory change: light vehicles, utility vehicles, buses and heavy goods vehicles. New traffic signs will inform of entering an area with mandatory equipment. If there is no snow or ice, the removable devices – chains or snow socks – are kept on board the vehicle.

What areas are affected?

At the end of the local consultations, carried out at the level of each massif (Alps, Corsica, Massif Central, Jura massif, Pyrenees, Vosges massif), the prefects decided on the list of municipalities on which the vehicle equipment obligations in circulation apply. In total, 34 departments are subject to this obligation.

Discover the prefectural decrees in the departments concerned

Metal chains or snow tires: what to choose?

From November 1, 2022, depending on your choice, you will need to either have removable anti-skid devices (chains and socks), or equip your vehicle with winter tires to get to Megève. But between metal chains, textile snow socks and snow tires, what to choose?

Removable anti-skid devices

The regulations allow you to choose between metal chains and “textile chains” commonly called “snow socks”. At least two are needed to equip the two-wheel drive. As a reminder, the chains or socks must be stored on board the vehicle, and ready to use, as soon as the journey takes an axis in the areas concerned by the new regulations.

• metal chains are rather preferred for frequent use. It is a very efficient and resistant device, offering the best grip and road holding in the event of heavy snowfall or icy roads. However, they are expensive and difficult to install, which is more in a real situation, on the side of a snowy road, in cold weather.
• Conversely, textile snow socks are less expensive and easier to install but are less effective than chains in heavy snowfall and have a shorter lifespan.

winter tires

Winter tyres, within the meaning of the decree, are tires covered by the “3PMSF” designation (3 Peak Mountain Snow Flake), identifiable by the presence of the “Alpine symbol” marking and one of the “M+S” markings. ”, “MS” or “M&S”. Until November 1, 2024, snow tires only marked “M+S” will be tolerated. For 4-season tires (4S, All Weather, All Season), these have no regulatory definition: to be considered winter tyres, they must be stamped "3PMSF", or at least "M+S » for the transitional period of the first 3 years of application of the new regulations. Finally, vehicles with studded tires are exempt from equipment obligations.

Recharge the batteries!

Green vehicles are welcome in Megève! Committed to preserving the environment, Megève has three charging stations for electric vehicles. A terminal is thus available in the Casino car park, another on the national road (at the level of the skate-park, near the Palais roundabout) and a third on the impasse Molettaz. Accessible 24 hours a day, 24 days a week, electric bikes can also benefit from these charging stations.

Price: €4 for 100 km for subscribers, €6 for 100 km for non-subscribers. Payment by credit card for non-subscribers and or by badge, available from SYANE.