Colors of Meribel - traditions, festivals, mentality and lifestyle

Today, Meribel is known as one of the best French ski resorts, which is visited by professional athletes and world celebrities. A hundred years ago, on the site of the top-notch resort, there was a small mountain village whose inhabitants lived a very secluded and measured life. Some features of the former village lifestyle manifest themselves even today. Such regional features are especially noticeable to frequent visitors to local restaurants. At some of them, it was possible to recreate an unparalleled rural setting typical of past centuries.

In such restaurants, they use antique items as decorations and retain special cooking traditions. Simple rustic cuisine attracts not only tourists with a limited budget but also wealthy travelers hungry for new impressions. Several authentic villages that have been preserved in the vicinity of Meribel are available for tours. Near the resort, there are historical farms, dairies, and wine cellars, which remain popular sites among active tourists.

Despite the influence of modernity, inhabitants of the surrounding villages have not changed their lifestyle much over the past centuries. One of the main livelihoods for them is livestock and poultry farming, as well as crop growing. In the warmer months, Meribel guests will have a chance to visit local farms where they breed cows and goats, as well as produce high-quality dairy products. In the past, hunting was very important for the indigenous people. They mainly hunted birds in the mountain forests. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Today, local natural areas are under strict protection, and the once widespread activity took on a different form. In the vicinity of Meribel, large farms breed guinea fowl, wild pigeons, and other birds. However, the love for fishing has remained unchanged - there are magnificent alpine lakes near the resort. They are rich in rare fish species, so local fishermen hunt for lake trout and salmon all year round. These waters are also very rich in crayfish. In the warm season, guests of the resort can diversify their vacation with a fishing trip, and to try the best lake fish, go to local restaurants.

It is a marvel that such a distinct life full of national charm is hidden behind the borders of the popular ultramodern resort. Throughout the year, the resort hosts a lot of interesting holidays and festivals, a visit to which allows tourists to get acquainted with interesting national customs. On the eve of Christmas and New Year, Meribel is transformed beyond recognition. The resort is decorated with artistic illumination and traditional fairs open in its main streets and squares. On Christmas holidays, the aromas of traditional dishes are in the air, interesting performances and concerts are held on open-air venues every day. On New Year's Eve, resort guests will have the opportunity to enjoy typical winter activities: go sledding, play snowballs, and walk through the snowy forests.

The most beautiful spring holiday is the Méribel Live Music Festival, which is usually held in the second half of March. This festival has a very interesting history that originated in 2008. That year, The Feeling band, which wasn't as popular as today, gave a free concert in Meribel. Stages for musicians were set up right on the ski slopes, and at the end of the winter season, such a musical holiday turn out to be a big surprise. Nevertheless, the tradition of its holding has been preserved. Over the ten years of its existence, the festival has acquired an incredible scale. Now it lasts one week and is annually attended by famous music bands from various European countries. By tradition, the stage for performers is equipped in the open air, and all music concerts are free of charge.

Autumn is the time of wine and gastronomic festivals traditional for many regions of France. Before the opening of the skiing season, eminent chefs and sommeliers always visit the resort to offer tourists a variety of gastronomic entertainments. They can learn how to cook traditional regional dishes, take part in wine tastings, and join thematic gastronomic tours. The latter include visiting local farms, famous cheese factories, and wine cellars.