Despite its name, the Calvary Way is an excellent route to do with children when you visit the beautiful village of Megève.
Beyond its historical legacy that I’ll share with you further on and which only adults can appreciate, it is a very easy walk to share with children of all ages.
The route starts very close to the village centre so you don’t need a car or other transport and it is a very comfortable route with a well paved and perfectly lit path so that you can also enjoy it in the afternoon.
It is also a beautiful walk along the slopes of Mont d’Arbois, surrounded by lush trees and with a wonderful panoramic view of the village, the Upper Arly valley and the slopes of the Mont Blanc.
And now the promised history lesson.
The Calvary Way was built between 1840 and 1878 by Father Ambroise Martin, the parish priest of Megève from 1820 to his death.
It is composed of 15 chapels and oratories depicting the stations of the Way of the Cross from Jerusalem to Golgotha in a striking combination of different architectural styles ranging from Neo-Gothic to Byzantine, Baroque and Neoclassical.
The different religious edifices are home to about 50 life size painted wooden statues together with frescoes and “trompe-l’oeil” paintings that evoke astonishingly realistic images of the life and passion of Christ.
It is a true artistic treasure just a few steps from the centre of Megève in an unequaled enclave.
It is, without doubt, a combination of nature, architecture, sculpture and painting so unique in France that it became such an important place of pilgrimage that for a long time Megève was given the name of the “Savoyard Jerusalem”. Today it is listed as a Historic Monument.
Getting there couldn’t be easier. You can walk from the village centre down the path that goes up the hill in front of the outdoor ice rink.
The route begins with short but steep climb that takes you to St. Michael’s Cross, from there you reach the first two chapels and the first of the 14 stations of the Cross.
Even though it’s all way up it is perfectly suitable for all audiences and all ages. It is in fact a perfect walk to do all year round enjoying the panoramic view with all the family.
Don’t forget to take your camera or fully charged phones because it is the perfect place to take the best pictures and treasured memories of your holidays in the beautiful village of Megève.