Chamonix: All destinations, advice & information for your holidays!
Chamonix in the far southeast of France at the foot of the mighty Mont Blanc massif is a famous winter sports center. Beginners and advanced skiers from all over the world find suitable ski areas here, which are connected by a linking railway. Buses take vacationers to the individual districts in the Chamonix Valley. Exciting excursion destinations attract visitors both in winter and summer.
Table of contents
Chamonix - Must-see attractions
Mont Blanc
More than 100 routes lead to the summit of Mont Blanc. It was first climbed in 1786. The French towns of Chamonix, Saint-Gervais-les-Bains, and Les Houches are particularly suitable as starting points for hikes and mountain tours. Those who do not count themselves among the summit climbers will find more moderate tours in the high alpine landscape around Mont Blanc. They captivate hikers with majestic glaciers, ice slopes, as well as green valleys and alpine pastures, including spectacular views of four-thousand-meter peaks.
Needle of the Midday
On the Aiguille du Midi, at an altitude of 3,777 meters, there is a terrace from which one can enjoy a spectacular panoramic view of the Alps. But skiers also take the cable car to dizzying heights. In winter, the Aiguille du Midi is the starting point of the Vallée Blanche, a popular ski route. It stretches over 20 km with a height difference of 2,800 meters down to Chamonix and leads over the Mer de Glace glacier.
The Step into the Void
Fear of heights is out of place here, as visitors float in a glass cabin at an altitude of 3842 m above the abyss. Those who dare to step into the void must do so in felt slippers to avoid scratching the 12 mm thick glass. Once the necessary courage has been shown, one is rewarded with a breathtaking view over the snow-covered Alps. The "Step into the Void" can be reached by cable car from Chamonix to the Aiguille du Midi in about 20 minutes.
Ice Cave
In the 19th century, there was a natural ice cave in the Mer de Glace glacier, which dissolved due to the glacier's retreat. Therefore, in 1863, a cave was carved into the ice. The visitor attraction Grotte de Glace is newly carved into the glacier each year. Visitors can reach the ice cave with a 20-minute hike or by gondola. To get to the Grotte de Glace, 420 steps must be descended. Inside, the wonderful ice art fascinates, and information boards vividly explain the cave's history.
Gaillands Lake
Lake Gaillands, the small mountain lake, was formed at the beginning of the 20th century when it was filled during excavations for a railway line. Today, it is a recreational area with views of the snow-covered peak of Mont Blanc. Benches invite visitors to linger. Trout and crayfish live in the water, making the lake popular with anglers. However, only fly fishing is allowed, for which a permit is required. To the north of Lac des Gaillands, there is a climbing wall at the hamlet of Les Pècles.
Chamonix Old Town
In the picturesque heart of Chamonix stands a monument in honor of the mountain guide Jacques Balmat, who was the first to conquer Mont Blanc. All around are wooden houses in the typical Alpine style as well as elegant buildings from the 19th century. Wonderfully atmospheric is the bridge over the Arve, under which the icy glacier water flows in a rushing stream. Among the oldest buildings in Chamonix are the Catholic Église Saint-Michel and the former abbey.
Chamonix - Secret spots
The Lac Blanc as a mirror of the Mont Blanc massif
Surrounded by the imposing mountain world of the French Alps with deep green forests and snow-covered glaciers lies the world-famous mountain lake Lac Blanc north of the mountain village of Chamonix-Mont-Blanc. The reflection of the Mont-Blanc massif in the crystal-clear water of the lake is spectacular. Hiking trails of various difficulty levels lead in the east of the Haute-Savoie department to one of the most breathtaking views in Europe.
Magnificent views in the Gorges de la Diosaz
The wild waters flowing through the Diosaz Gorge provide a beautiful backdrop for a hike. The trail starts in the west not far from Chamonix and leads through the gorge that gives it its name on well-secured walkways. Stairs make the ascent easier at steep sections. You have charming views from the bridges.
Bossons Glacier
The impressive Glacier des Bossons near Chamonix descends from the summit of the 4,807-meter-high Mont Blanc down to 1,425 meters. A chairlift takes you from Les Bossons in the French department of Haute-Savoie to the lower edge of the ice paradise. A themed trail provides exciting information about the history of the impressive Bossons Glacier.
Lakes of Chéserys
The Lacs des Chéserys are located in the Aiguilles Rouges nature reserve near Chamonix. Various panoramic hiking trails of different difficulty levels lead to the small group of alpine lakes, which offer a spectacular panorama against the backdrop of the Mont-Blanc massif. Families with children shorten the several-hour hike with the magnificent cable car ride from La Flégère in the Haute-Savoie department.
Chamonix - In 3 days
Day 1
Located at the foot of the mighty Mont Blanc in the French Alps, the picturesque town of Chamonix exudes a very special charm. Here, cozy cafes and rustic chalets stand alongside luxurious boutiques. Chamonix is also the capital of mountaineering. In the heart of the community, on Place Balmat, stands a statue dedicated to the first climber of Mont Blanc, Jacques Balmat, and the father of modern Alpine research, Horace Bénédict de Saussure. Just a two-minute walk from here is the Alpine Museum, which deals with the history of Chamonix and the development of mountaineering. From Place Benat, stroll past the tourist office and the Catholic Church Paroisse Saint Bernard du Mont Blanc to the Crystal Museum, where minerals from Mont Blanc, especially smoky quartz and rose quartz, are exhibited. Take a stroll through the pedestrian zone and enjoy the beautiful views of the surrounding mountains.
Day 2
From Chamonix, you can take a trip on the second day to the nearby town of Les Houches. Via the Route des Pècles, you reach the place Les Gaillands with its famous climbing rock. The two lakes Lac à l'Anglais and Lac des Gaillands are beautiful. The journey continues via the Promenade à l'Anglais through a wooded area and over the Ravin des Vouillouds gorge. After crossing another gorge, the path leads you into the forest of Les Roches and then along the hiking trail Chemin des Eaux Rousses. The hike takes about two hours. From Les Houches, you take the train to Saint-Gervais-Le-Fayet, where you transfer to the Tramway du Mont-Blanc. This mountain railway takes you to the Nid d’Aigle station on Mont Blanc, which serves as a starting point for climbers for tours on the mountain or the 4,052 m high Aiguille du Bionnassay.
Day 3
One of the most beautiful sights in Chamonix is the Aiguille du Midi. With the cable car Téléphérique de l'Aiguille du Midi, you can reach the mountain station of the rock needle at an altitude of 3,777 m in 20 minutes. Once at the top, you can enjoy the magnificent view with coffee and cake. Experience pure thrill on the Skywalk Step into the Void. The glass room with a glass floor is considered the highest attraction in Europe. From here, you can continue with the Vallée Blanche small cable car to the Pointe Helbronner on the Italian side of the Mont-Blanc massif, following the route of the Mont-Blanc tunnel. If you wish, you can take the cable car only to the Plan de l'Aiguille station, the starting point for the Grand Balcon Nord hike to Montenvers, a rocky spur above France's largest glacier, the Mer de Glace. Here you will find a restaurant, an alpine museum, and a crystal gallery.
Chamonix - Climate
Tundra climate shapes the weather in the Chamonix Valley. Summers are cool, winters are harsh. The best travel time in summer is July and August with average temperatures around 17 °C. Additionally, it rains less frequently. Autumn and spring are cold. From December to February, average temperatures range from -1 to -3 °C. Chamonix attracts with ski slopes of all difficulty levels, ranging from 1,000 m to 3,000 m. The ski season on Mont Blanc lasts from mid-November to mid-April. The average snow depth is 3 m. A holiday apartment in Chamonix is always a good choice, depending on which season you prefer.