(Chamonix)

The Magic of Chamonix

A charming little town nestled at the foot of the most famous mountain in the Alps. Chamonix welcomes visitors from around the world year-round. Shopping, spas, gastronomical experiences: summer or winter. Chamonix is bustling year-round for window shoppers, fitness gurus and gourmets alike.

A Fascinating History

1786: First ascent of Mont Blanc, the beginning of the alpine conquest.
1821: Creation of the Chamonix Guide’s company: the oldest and largest guides’ association in the world.
1924: Chamonix hosted the first winter Olympic Games. A winter sports capital is born.
1955: Opening of the Aiguille du Midi cable car (3842M). The mountains become more accessible.

The third most visited site of natural beauty in the world

Chamonix Mont Blanc 1035 m (3395ft), the World capital of skiing and the birthplace of mountaineering. Mer de Glace: 1913 m (6276ft) France’s longest glacier, accessible by the Montenvers train. Aiguille du Midi’ s summit, 3842m (12 605ft) and the Mont Blanc, 4810m (15781ft).

(Aiguille du Midi)

Winter activities

The Mecca of skiing from December to May with 90% of ski areas above 2000m high and various slopes for all levels. The Valley Blanche, the world’s famous off-piste glacier descent. 20km glacial descent in a magical environment of immaculate white seracs and azure blue crevasses. A 2800 m vertical back down to Chamonix to do once in your life with a high mountain guide.
Many other winter activities: snowshoeing, cross-county skiing, dog-sledging, ice skating, ice climbing, winter pedestrian trails…

(Le Mont Blanc in summer)

Summer activities

Hiking or Running – Wether you are a walker or a weekend or hard core hiker, hundreds of kilometres of trails await you. Explore every corner of the valley, walk along expansive panoramic balconies, spend the night in a mountain refuge, view glaciers up close that are thousands of year old…Because it offers varied and spectacular routes, the Chamonix- Mont-Blanc Valley is a favorite place for trail runners, Every summer it attracts runners from all over the world as well as major international competitions.

I like...

The Merlet animal park, a former alpine pasture, where you will encounter Chamois, goats, mountain sheep, marmots….
http://www.parcdemerlet.com/en/

The Tramway du Mont Blanc, the highest cog trains in France will take you up to the Nid d’Aigle, the famous starting point for usual access to Mont Blanc.
https://www.montblancnaturalresort.com/en/tramway-montblanc

The Aiguille du Midi: contemplate the extraordinary, enjoy spectacular views of Mont Blanc and the French, Swiss, Italian Alps. Hold your breath on the “step into the World”.
https://www.montblancnaturalresort.com/en/aiguille-du-midi

(Train du Montenvers)

Train du Montenvers and Mer de Glace: board the famous Montenvers cog train to one of the largest glacier in Europe.
https://www.montblancnaturalresort.com/en/montenvers-mer-de-glace

Argentière is a village 8 km north of Chamonix at an altitude of around 1,250 metres. This hamlet is a real hit with visitors, thanks not only to its traditional architecture, baroque churchand 19th century chapel but also to its amazing location at the foot of the impressive Argentière Glacier and legendary peaks such as the Aiguille Verte.

(Argentière)

Les Grands Montets is the largest and most popular ski resort in the Chamonix Valley (over 1 800 ha). It expands above the village of Argentière, which is situated 8 km up Chamonix Mont- Blanc. The Grands Montets summit reaches 3295m.
https://www.chamonix.net/english/winter-activities/skiing/ski-slopes/grands-montets

(A chamois)

Legendary Chamonix

At the crossroads of 3 countries, France, Switzerland and Italy, Chamonix Mont Blanc gets easy access via air, road and train from Paris or Geneva. Cham' is a destination popular the world over. In the streets of this high-mountain town you will hear languages from every corner of the globe. But the people who come to this 'summit meeting' share the same way of thinking, the same love for mountaineering, its legends and its ethics. The art of French living, a wealth of variety and gastronomic delights, traditional Savoyard dishes of the past, creative restaurants, international cuisine, 3 Michelin stars restaurants, delicatessens, wine bars… A large choice of hotels from 5 stars with Spa to the B&B.

My favorite addresses

Argentière, an authentic village.
La Crèmerie du Glacier, a small restaurant in the mountain
Hotel 4 stars des Grands Montets, at the foot of the mountain,
Le Lac Blanc, one of the best hike in the mountain with a spectacular view.

(Le Lac Blanc)