In the heart of the old village of Megève, on the Place de l’Église, an 11th century Benedictine building is taking on a new gourmet life. With Le Prieuré Megève Emmanuel Renaut, the three-star chef transposes his mountain into a bistro style, surrounded by horse-drawn carriages, carillons and cobbled streets. The address focuses on the everyday rather than the exceptional.
Behind this facade classified as a Historic Monument, Emmanuel Renaut and Kristine Renaut opened, on June 25, 2024, a place designed for morning coffee as well as dinner with friends. The promise: to find the spirit of Megève on the plate as in the room, without leaving the Church Square.
Le Prieuré, a Megève institution taken over by Emmanuel and Kristine Renaut
A former Benedictine priory born in the 11th century and transformed into a restaurant in the 1930s, Le Prieuré was redeveloped in 1935 by the architect Henry-Jacques Le Meilleur, inventor of the “skier’s chalet”. Listed as a Historic Monument, the building was long run by the Frémondière family, who kept it alive for three generations before it was taken over by Emmanuel Renaut.
With this address, the Maisons Emmanuel Renaut complete a set that ranges from three stars to the Alpine pleasures of , from the wine cellar to the grocery store-caterer. Le Prieuré occupies a special place: that of the village bistro, accessible, anchored in everyday Megevan life.
At the foot of the Megève church, a bright chalet style and a lively terrace
Inside, French ceilings, parquet floors and light wood create a contemporary, bright and warm chalet atmosphere. In 2024, Emmanuel Renaut imagined with his mother, Bernadette Clément, a coffered ceiling: seventy painted squares inspired by the world of Henry-Jacques Le Meilleur, where eagles, deer, marmots, porcini mushrooms, fir trees or alpine landscapes follow one another throughout the seasons.
Outside, the terrace extends onto the Place de l’Église, at 116 place de l’Église, 74120 Megève. We have lunch there to the rhythm of the horses’ footsteps, the conversations of the village and the carillon of Saint-Jean-Baptiste. And then there is the flexibility of a real bistro: early morning coffee, late morning drink, snack, aperitif or dinner, without formalities.
The mountain in a bistro version: menu, products and practical information
On the plate, the “mountain in bistro version” takes shape around generous and readable mountain bistro cuisine. The summer menu includes smoked trout, double cream and lemon, homemade gnocchetti with garden herb pesto, thin slices of veal “like a vitello” from Savoy, free-range poultry roasted with mushrooms, steamed Jura trout in virgin sauce, Chartreuse pork ribs with mustard cream or fillet of beef with mondeuse sauce. Raclette, regional cheeses and Franco-Swiss fondue complete this Alpine portrait.
The restaurant has around 70 seats indoors, divided into three spaces, and 45 on the terrace. Budget-wise, you should plan on an adult menu around $45 and à la carte dishes from around $15. The Priory opens mainly from Tuesday to Sunday, noon and evening, with closing on Monday and variations according to the seasons; the updated timetables are indicated on the official website and that of Megève Tourisme. Reservations are strongly recommended during vacation periods and on sunny evenings.
Where is the restaurant Le Prieuré Megève Emmanuel Renaut?
The Priory is located at 116 place de l’Église, in the heart of the historic center of Megève, at the foot of the Saint-Jean-Baptiste church and the town hall, in the pedestrian zone.
What is the style of cooking at Emmanuel Renaut’s Prieuré?
Le Prieuré offers mountain bistro cuisine, warm and anchored in the Alpine region, with lake fish, farm poultry, Savoyard dishes, Savoy cheeses, raclette and Franco-Swiss fondue.
What budget should you plan for a meal at the Prieuré in Megève?
The adult menu costs around $45 and the à la carte dishes start at around $15, which places the restaurant in an average range for Megève.
Do I need to make a reservation at the Le Prieuré restaurant in Megève?
Reservations are recommended, especially in high season, on weekends and to enjoy the terrace on the Place de l’Église.
