The Alpine town of Saint-Gervais Mont Blanc, as the name indicates, home to the highest peak in Europe, will this summer feature a program of mountaineering experiences and cultural events. It will celebrate the centenary of the Mont Joly refuge hut, host mountaineering courses for novices, and throughout the summer period, art and exhibitions will literally live the high life across the resort’s various altitudes.The Alpine town of Saint-Gervais Mont Blanc, as the name indicates, home to the highest peak in Europe, will this summer feature a program of mountaineering experiences and cultural events. It will celebrate the centenary of the Mont Joly refuge hut, host mountaineering courses for novices, and throughout the summer period, art and exhibitions will literally live the high life across the resort’s various altitudes.

Mountaineering Excellence
At the heart of Saint-Gervais lies the famous “Voie Royale,” the renowned mountaineering route to the summit of Mont Blanc (4,807m). For those seeking to conquer Europe’s highest peak, the route is served by two key high-mountain refuges – the Goûter refuge (3,835m), the highest guarded refuge in France, and the Tête Rousse refuge (3,165m). The Compagnie des Guides in Saint-Gervais will also offer 4-day introductory mountaineering courses, giving participants the chance to discover and take on the challenge of rock and ice. The courses culminate in the ascent of a summit.

Mountain Heritage Celebrations
The Mont Joly refuge, perched at 2,002m altitude and historically the highest restaurant in the Evasion Mont-Blanc area, celebrates its centenary in 2025. Originally built in 1858 and restored in 1925 following a lightning strike, this historic chalet-refuge with breathtaking views will mark its 100th anniversary with special celebrations on 16th August.

New Sporting Challenges
A new mountain bike trail challenges riders from Le Bettex to Le Fayet along its 7.29 kilometres and 856 m altitude drop. It has been classified as a red trail and is for the more experienced riders. Both the new Le Valléen lift and the connecting L’Alpin gondola, makes it super easy to reach the top from Le Fayet and both connections carry bikes on them.

Vertical Challenge: New Roc Fest
The inaugural Roc Fest (7-9 June 2025) introduces a celebration of vertical sports in Saint-Gervais. The festival features point-based rock-climbing contests both indoors and outdoors, discovery of local climbing sites, educational workshops, film screenings, conferences, and concerts. In preparation for the event, the local council, in partnership with AUME, the local rock-climbing club and the Compagnie des Guides, has renovated five climbing sites, cleaning and re-equipping them to ensure optimal climbing conditions.

Art in the Mountains
The 4th edition of Artocène (28th June to 14th September) brings contemporary art to the slopes of Mont Blanc, with exhibitions at altitudes ranging from 580m to 1,800m. This innovative biennial focuses on the intertwining between art and the Alpine landscapes while exploring environmental and social issues.
The exhibition at Pile Pont Expo features Hugo Servanin’s monumental sculptures – a series of giants sculpted from ancient casts, enhanced by innovative cryogenic techniques, creating a captivating conversation between art and the environment.

Sustainable mobility
Saint-Gervais will continue to build on the successful launch of its sustainable transport connections from the late summer and autumn of 2024. The Valléen lift will continue to connect the TGV station in Le Fayet to the main town in just 5 minutes. Since its inauguration, it has proved a massive success by locals and visitors alike. Both links are accessible with both luggage, bike and mountain bikes.

After a long day hiking or biking in the mountains, recovery is best achieved by paying a visit to the Thermal Baths. To get there, board the hydraulic waste-water powered ‘L’Ascenseur des Thermes’ elevator, connecting the heart of town with the spa.