Les Gets, the soul of a village Between traditions and heritage

In Les Gets, heritage isn’t something to be admired from behind a shop window; it’s something to be experienced, breathed in and passed on. Authenticity isn’t just an empty phrase: it’s the foundation upon which we build each season. Our Alpine identity is not set in stone; it is the result of a precious legacy that both challenges and inspires us. It is this subtle connection between rural traditions and the contemporary art of living that makes our mountains a timeless refuge, simply wonderful.

27 February 2022 Heritage Events 1937 Cpotgets HD 13

A legacy What shapes our way of life

Deep-rooted In the woods and on the mountain pastures

The history of Les Gets is, above all, one of a patient conquest of the slopes. Since the 10th century, the mountains have been a land of hard labour, shaped by a demanding pastoral economy. The landscape as we see it today is the result of a transformation spanning a thousand years: from primeval forest to pastoral land, and then to a ski resort.

The Gêtois chalet, with its framework of local timber and gently sloping roofs, is a clever response to climatic and geographical constraints. Every building, from the old farmhouses in the hamlets to contemporary constructions, blends into the landscape in a way designed not to disrupt the harmony of the hillsides.

A change in the landscape From the countryside to the resort

The landscape you are looking at today is a ‘reflection’ of our history. Whilst skiing has transformed our way of life, it has managed to preserve the structure of the old hamlets.

What was once the strength of the farmers of yesteryear — the deliberate scattering of settlements to be as close as possible to their fields — has now become our greatest scenic asset.

As you wander around, you’ll notice that each hamlet retains its own identity, nestled in valley hollows, sheltered from the wind, illustrating the ancestral mastery of land use.

Les Gets, World Capital Mechanical Music

Who would have thought that, at the foot of the mountains, mechanical figures and barrel organs would find their most beautiful setting? In Les Gets, mechanical music is more than just entertainment: it is an integral part of our identity, the result of the passion of a community that has successfully protected and restored these treasures from the past.

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A living treasure In the heart of the village

The Museum of Mechanical Music in Les Gets invites you on a journey through time. Here, you don’t just look: you hear the hum of fairground organs, the crystal-clear tones of music boxes and witness the mechanical precision of the automata as they come to life before your very eyes. It is a total immersion in the technical feats of the 19th and 20th centuries, where every piece tells a story of precision and wonder.

The museum houses an impressive collection, internationally recognised for its diversity and exceptional state of preservation. From monumental organs to mechanical pianos, phonographs and clocks, you’ll discover the complex mechanisms that brought joy to the funfairs of yesteryear. This is a living heritage that is passed on with great enthusiasm, thanks to the expertise of our dedicated enthusiasts who work daily to restore these rare items.

Visit the Museum

Le Manège, a historical gem In the centre of the village of Les Gets

A true gem of our heritage, this historic carousel dates from 1871. It is one of the few examples still in working order in France that retains its original figures.

Listed as a Historic Monument, it perfectly embodies the spirit of passing on traditions so dear to Les Gets.

Every wooden horse, every carriage and every painting tells the story of an era when craftsmanship reigned supreme. It is the Museum’s finest open-air ambassador.

See the merry-go-round

The craftsmen Guardians of Gêtoise identity

Our artisans and producers are not merely traders; they are the heirs to a tradition that has enabled the village to endure through the centuries in harmony with our valley’s resources.

In our resort, a ‘sense of beauty’ and authenticity is evident both on our plates and in our hands. By prioritising short supply chains, we foster a local economy where every product is designed to last, and every flavour tells a story of the local terroir. Whether through the high standards of a cheesemaker working with milk from our mountain pastures or the meticulous craftsmanship of a creation at the Poterie des Gets workshop, where clay is shaped by hand, you are supporting a line of passionate craftspeople who, day after day, pass on the spirit of Les Gets.

View all craftspeople

Experience the history of Les Gets Through our chapels

The heritage of Les Gets is best appreciated at your own pace. Far from the hustle and bustle of the village centre, our chapels stand as silent witnesses to the spirit of Les Gets and the community life that once shaped our hamlets. Setting out to explore them is to treat yourself to a moment of tranquillity in the heart of our unspoilt natural surroundings.

The Chapel of Les Mouilles:Asmall, secluded chapel in the heart of the hamlet of Les Mouilles, built in 1871 by Father Joseph Marie Delavay.
The Chapel of Moudon: The firstreligious building in Les Gets, situated in the hamlet of Moudon, the site of the first settlement in Les Gets.

The Moudon Chapel

Notre Dame de Lourdes Chapel

Our pioneers They built the Les Gets resort With their hands and their hearts

The Les Gets ski area developed at its own pace, a world away from the frenzy of the major ‘Plan Neige’ resorts. Experimentation, DIY, daring gambles, adventure… these are the words that crop up most often in the pioneers’ accounts. We met the people who built the Les Gets ski area with their own hands and hearts.

Our pioneers, from left to right:

Henri ANTHONIOZ (Mayor of Les Gets in 2020, serving his 7th term on the council and his 3rd as Mayor; CEO of SAGETS from 2008 to 2024)
Régis PERNOLLET (Former Head of Slope Maintenance, 36 years’ service)
Maurice RAMEL (First-generation snow groomer, 38 years’ service)
Georges BAUD (Former Director of SAGETS, 30 years’ service)
Marc BERGOEND (Former Operations Manager, 42 years’ service)
Denis BOUCHET (Private operator on Mont Chéry, former Mayor of Les Gets)
Bernadette GRILLET (Former cashier, 40 years’ service)
Alan HARTLEY (Former ski patroller, 41 years’ service)

Discover the story from our charming village resort of Les Gets

90 years of history and mountain sports

L’histoire des Gets : un domaine de caractère, 90 ans d’histoire et de montagne sportive