Marché Hebdomadaire de Les Contamines
Every Tuesday morning from late June to late August, the village square of Les Contamines-Montjoie transforms into a lively open-air market where local producers, cheesemakers and artisans set up stalls under the shadow of the church. It is the most authentic way to taste the valley before you hike it.
What to buy
The undisputed star is Beaufort AOP — the great golden wheel of mountain cheese produced in the neighbouring Beaufortain valleys. Buy a wedge directly from a fermier (farm producer) and ask for a taste of the summer-pasture version (chalet d'alpage) if it is available; the flavour difference from the winter cheese is remarkable.
Look out also for Tomme de Savoie, local honey from hives kept at altitude (which has a distinctly floral, herby character), and jars of génépi liqueur made from the wild alpine herb that grows above 2,000 m.
Beyond the food
Artisan stalls sell hand-carved wooden utensils, locally made linen and the kind of sturdy woollen socks that make sense once you've spent a day on a cold mountain trail. Prices are fair and the makers are usually right there to explain their craft.
A small flower stall typically sells bunches of seasonal alpine wildflowers — a cheerful addition to any chalet kitchen table.
How to make a morning of it
Arrive by 9 am for the best selection and a relaxed browse before the tour-bus visitors appear around 10:30 am. The boulangerie on the main street, open from 7 am, sells fresh croissants and pain aux noix that pair perfectly with a wedge of Beaufort eaten on the nearest bench.
The market wraps up by noon, leaving the afternoon free for the mountains. Many stall holders are also happy to advise on local trails and conditions — genuine local knowledge is the best souvenir.
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