Farming in the mountainous Haute-Savoie is predominantly dairy cattle. Traditional produce specific to the localities developed because these farms were cut off by deep snow for several months every year. Often these products were produced and stored at the farms. Typical local cheeses are Tomme and Reblochon. The excellent Beaufort cheese hails from the Alps just to the south of here, and the creamy Morbier cheese comes from the Jura in the North. Goats cheeses are also made and sold directly by local farmers.
Have a look at the chamonix.net page on traditional food. And you can see here the list of people and stands that are present in the main Chamonix Market.
Weekly Markets in Chamonix and Haute Savoie
A wide range of local produce is sold at the local markets. Here are the closest to the Chamonix Valley. The main markets are in bold type.
Chamonix, Place du Mont Blanc: Saturday, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Les Houches, Place haute du centre: Monday, from 8 a.m. to 12 noon, only during the French school holidays.
Chamonix Sud: (in season) Tuesdays, from 8 a.m. to 12 noon.
Samoens: Wednesdays, from 8 a.m. to 12 noon.
Saint Gervais, in front of the sncf station: Wednesdays, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Saint Gervais, Promenade du Mont Blanc: Thursdays, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Megève, Esplanade du Palais des Sports: Friday, from 8 a.m. to 12 noon.
Sallanches, Quai St Jacques: Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Argentière: (in season) Sunday, from 8 a.m. to 12 noon.
Saint Gervais, Promenade du Mont Blanc: July/August, Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon.
Don't forget that it might be difficult to park you car near the market squares. And you can see here the list of persons and stands that are present in the Chamonix Market every Saturday morning.
Markets in Italy
Aosta: Sunday morning, from 8 a.m. to 12 noon.
Courmayeur: Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Turin, Piazza della Repubblica: from Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to 12 noon and Saturday all day.
Markets in Switzerland
Martigny : every Thursday, from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Escape your day to day routine and come to the Martigny local market to fill your shopping bag with fresh produce. An opportunity to meet the local producers of the region that will be happy to share with you their recipes.
Haute Savoie Crafts Wood Carving
Local craftsmen traditionally working with wood.
Men and women continue to carve a wide range of items from huge works of art, particularly local fauna, to boxes and other useful articles.
Visit our "traditional cuisine" page.
