Meribel

Visit Meribel, Rhone-Alpes

Meribel, along with neighbours Courchevel and Val Thorens, forms the ski region known as 'Les Trois Vallées' in the Savoy Alps - claimed to be the largest ski area in the world. It falls within the borders of the Vanoise National Park.

As an interesting historical note, Meribel was founded in the 1930s by a Scotsman, Peter Lindsay, because the Austrian resorts were becoming very popular with Nazis in the years before the war. Although development of the resort was halted during the war years, it recommenced in 1946 and Meribel quickly became a popular destination.

Ski resort at Meribel

The main resort actually consists of three villages called Meribel Village (1400 metres altitude), Meribel Centre (the main resort at 1500 metres), and Meribel-Mottaret (the highest of the resorts, at 1800 metres). The last of these is slightly less attractive than the others, but has better access to the high slopes and the other ski stations in the Thre Valleys group.

Together they form one of the largest and most popular skiing destinations in France.

Less 'overdeveloped' than many of the ski resorts in the alps, Meribel has managed to conserve its 'Alpine village' image quite well - the buildings in Meribel follow the traditional style of architecture for the region, of wood and stone, rather than the concrete that dominates some of the Alpine resorts.

Meribel is now one of the most vibrant and popular ski resorts in the French Alps, while also being popular with larger ski groups, and tends to be popular from Christmas right through to the end of April.

Of course, all levels of skiing are available close to hand, along with plenty of off-piste opportunities and various related snow sport activities such as snowboarding and two 'snowparks' for enjoying jumps and freestyle skiing (one at Meribel-Mottaret the other at Meribel itself).

Numerous cable cars and ski lifts carry visitors to the 73 ski runs (9 green, 30 blue, 26 red and 8 black) at altitudes up to almost 3000 metres.

Apart from skiing, there are plenty of very popular bars and restaurants that will keep you amused late into the night, shops and boutiques, and other sports - from ice skating to snowmobiles - if you fancy a change from the quality slopes that surround the resort.

Visitors can either stay within the Meribel area, or for a change of scenery there is easy access to the other resorts of the Three Valleys.

See more Alpine Ski resorts or search for ski holidays in France.

Suggested places to visit near Meribel, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Les Arcs 25km; Tignes 28km; Albertville 29km; Val d'Isere 33km; Bonneval 39km; Nevache 46km; Les-7-Laux 46km; La Grave 47km; Megeve 48km; Serre Chevalier 51km; Chambery 51km; Talloires 53km; Saint Gervais Les Bains 53km; La Clusaz 54km; Menthon Saint Bernard 55km; Sallanches 57km;

See these places and more on a map at places near Meribel

Meribel tourism: sights and attractions nearby

Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne - recommended detour (24km) : Col de la Croix-de-Fer - site of natural beauty (36km) : Col de l'Iseran - site of natural beauty (37km) : Aiguilles d'Arves - site of natural beauty (38km) : Massif des Bauges - regional natural parc (43km) : Jardin alpin du Lautaret - remarkable garden (46km) : Parc du château du Touvet - remarkable garden (48km) : La Meije - site of natural beauty (51km) :

French version: see Meribel (Francais)