A trip to the French Alps no longer needs to be all about skiing or snowboarding. Today all the exclusive Alpine cities and resorts, from your touch down in Geneva to your resort destination in Courchevel, have as much to offer shoppers looking for luxury items as they do skiers looking for good snow.
Kick off your Spree in Geneva
Start your luxury shopping spree as soon as you touch down in the elegant Swiss city of Geneva.
Bear in mind that the Geneva has both a French and Swiss influence so it’s an ideal place to pick up exclusive French fashion (Chanel, Hermès, Louis Vuitton and Cartier all have stores here). But this is Switzerland, so make sure you check out the world-class timepieces at Rolex, Omega, Patek Philippe, Montblanc and Bulgari as well.
Most of the ultra luxe brands are to be found on the famous Rue du Rhône – in fact, a walk up and down the street here feels like flicking through the pages of Vogue magazine. But if you prefer to do all your shopping under one roof, a visit to Geneva’s famous Globus department store on the Rue du Rhône is a must.
Discover Ultimate Luxury in Courchevel
When you’ve had enough of the hustle and bustle of the city head from Geneva to Courchevel 1850. The centre of the exclusive French ski resort is like a who’s who of luxury brands with Dior, Chanel and Gucci all presenting wonderfully inviting store fronts in the centre here.
Those looking for something extra special should head to Blu&Berry, a boutique which specialises in exclusive French designers for those in the know. Expect to pick up items by the likes of Isabel Marant, Celine and Editions MR.
If you’re looking for a special gift for a certain someone then let the romance of the resort influence you as you wander around the high-end jewellers Julian Joailliers.
Mix with the Well-Heeled in Chamonix
Unlike Courchevel, Chamonix is a town that has a year-round population of well-heeled French residents who obviously like to shop. Combine with this the influx of thousands of wealthy visitors each year and it explains why the small Alpine town has shops and boutiques to rival some of the smaller European cities.
Whether you’re looking for upmarket ski gear from Moncler to Ogier or something to make you look ultra smart in your next meeting – including leather goods from La Canadienne or cashmere from Eric Bompard – you’ll find it all in the pedestrianised centre of Chamonix.
Where to Stay and How to Get There
My advice would be to fly into Geneva (an hour-and-half’s flight from the UK with airlines including British Airways and Swiss), and then head from Geneva to Courchevel. The resort has a number of excellent five star hotels which will offer you the perfect base for your indulgent Alpine shopping spree.
Getting from Geneva to Courchevel couldn’t be easier, simply book yourself an executive car transfer with Shuttle Direct and one of our uniformed chauffeurs will meet you and drive you directly to your resort accommodation.
Lukas Johannes is a driver for Shuttle Direct, the number one provider of shared and private airport transfers all over Europe and northern Africa. If you’re looking for an affordable Geneva to Courchevel transfer, Lukas and his colleagues can make sure that you and your luggage get to and from the airport swiftly and safely.