High in the hills above Megève, along the Route de la Côte 2000, a small herd of reindeer lives amongst forest and meadows. This is Domaine le Coulairon, a private estate that has welcomed reindeer from Sweden since 2009. Visitors come to approach them, offer them a handful of lichen, hear the story of the herd, and then warm themselves around a home-made tea in a Finnish kota. An intimate visit, by reservation only, that children speak of long afterwards.
The reindeer farm in practice
- Location: Domaine le Coulairon, 1850 Route de la Côte 2000, Megève.
- Winter 2026-2027: from 5 December 2026 to 4 April 2027, daily, according to the tourist office. Activities may be adapted according to weather.
- Summer 2027: from 1 July to 31 August, Monday to Friday.
- Packages: a discovery visit, a meeting with the reindeer, or a visit followed by home-made tea.
- Age: from 3 years old, according to the tourist office.
- Booking: compulsory and places limited, by request to Domaine le Coulairon.
A herd from Sweden
The story begins in 2009, when the owners of the estate purchase a small herd of reindeer in Sweden. They build a large enclosure on their property, on the forest side, to offer them an environment as close as possible to their country of origin. The herd has since acclimatised to Haute-Savoie: the reindeer roam the estate summer and winter alike, taking shelter beneath the trees and spending long periods in the meadows.
The estate does not publish the number of reindeer or the names of its operators. It presents itself simply as the project of enthusiasts, nurtured in childhood by tales of Christmas, who have wanted in turn to inspire wonder in young and old alike.
How the visit unfolds
Punctuality matters: the gate opens only a few minutes before the visit time. The reindeer are then discovered throughout the property, followed by the moment children await, feeding with lichen, distributed on site by the herders. These share the story of their reindeer and their passion.
The discovery visit is limited to this encounter. The package with tea extends it to the kota. The booking form also mentions a visit and walk package, with no further detail: it is best to ask the estate when making your request. No reindeer-drawn sleigh rides are announced; here, the visit is about the animals themselves.
Tea in the Finnish kota
The kota, which the estate translates as “hunting shelter” in Sámi, is a small lodge originating from Finland. In various forms, it has been used for more than a century by the Sámi, the indigenous people who live principally from reindeer herding, hunting and fishing. The one at Coulairon is heated by a stove at the centre of the room: guests share home-made tea, prepared with fresh, local produce, just a few steps from the herd.
The kota can be hired privately for lunch, outside school holidays only, and the estate also offers to hire out an afternoon for a birthday celebration with family or friends.
The AEC tip. Send your request as soon as your dates are confirmed, especially for Christmas and the February holidays: the estate warns that there are not spaces for everyone. On the day, leave early to be at the gate on time, and dress the children as for an outing in the snow, including gloves and waterproof shoes.
Booking and organising
The estate’s website does not take online bookings. First, consult the schedule published on the booking page, then send your request via the contact form or by telephone; the estate will then respond to confirm. Access conditions are communicated at the time of booking. Dogs are not admitted, and payment is made on the spot, in cash or by card. The tourist office indicates reception in French.
In summer, the same herd can be visited Monday to Friday, in July and August: another way to see the reindeer, in the meadows rather than in the snow.
Where to stay
Route de la Côte 2000 extends the Mont d’Arbois area, served by the same winter shuttle line. A chalet at Mont d’Arbois or at Livraz thus brings the estate closer, whilst remaining near the slopes and the village. To complement the children’s winter, see our page on husky sledding in Megève, that on cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, and our guide What to do in Megève in winter. Our agents will guide you according to your party: find our chalets and apartments in Megève.
A muzzle searching for lichen in the palm of a hand, the warmth of the stove in the kota, snow falling on the forest: an afternoon with the reindeer is rather like a tale, and it is told for a long time.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the reindeer farm in Megève?
At Domaine le Coulairon, 1850 Route de la Côte 2000, high in the hills above Megève. Access conditions are communicated by the estate upon booking.
When can you visit the reindeer farm?
For winter 2026-2027, from 5 December 2026 to 4 April 2027, daily; in summer, from 1 July to 31 August 2027, Monday to Friday. Always by reservation, and weather permitting.
Do you need to book the visit?
Yes, booking is compulsory and places are limited. The estate’s website does not take online bookings: consult the schedule, then send a request via the form or by telephone.
From what age can children come?
Megève’s tourist office indicates a minimum age of 3 years for this visit designed for families.
Can you feed the reindeer?
Yes. During the visit, the herders hand out lichen to visitors to feed the herd.
Where do the reindeer at Domaine le Coulairon come from?
The herd was purchased in Sweden in 2009. It has lived since in a large enclosure on the forest side of the property, and has acclimatised to Megève.
Can you go on a reindeer-drawn sleigh ride?
The estate does not announce any sleigh rides: the visit is a meeting with the herd, followed if desired by tea. For a sleigh outing, Megève offers husky sledding experiences.
