Photo: Christophe Jacquet (ChrisJ) · CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Chamonix
Glaciers, balcony paths and Mont Blanc straight above the town.
A mountain town in a deep valley under Mont Blanc, the highest peak in western Europe, where the first Winter Olympics were held in 1924. A rack railway climbs to France's biggest glacier, lifts reach balcony paths with the whole massif in view, and free valley buses and trains link the hamlets. Lifts are dear and seasonal: the Aiguille du Midi cable car, the big splurge, usually costs about €75 return (check).
Places to see
- Montenvers and the Mer de GlaceViewpoint · A little red rack train climbing through the forest to a terrace at 1,913 m above the Mer…≈ A$67
Planpraz (Brévent)Viewpoint · A gondola ride straight up from town to a shelf at about 2,000 m facing the whole Mont…≈ A$42
Lac BlancWalk · A small high lake at about 2,350 m, reached by a rocky path from the top of the Flégère…≈ A$53
When to go
- Jan2° / -8°Some rainBusy
- Feb4° / -7°Some rainBusy
- Mar8° / -4°Some rainBusy
- Apr12° / 0°Some rainQuiet
- May16° / 4°Often wetQuiet
- Jun20° / 7°Often wetBusy
- Jul23° / 9°Some rainVery busy
- Aug22° / 9°Some rainVery busy
- Sep
Staying and getting around
Good areas to stay
Chamonix town centre. The pedestrian centre by the river, with the church, the station and the lifts at either end: lively, handy and the dearest base.
Les Praz and the north of the valley. Quieter hamlets up the valley towards Argentière, with the Flégère lift, the riverside woods and a few hostels and gîtes on the bus line.
Les Pèlerins and Les Bossons. Hamlets just south of town under the glaciers, near the Aiguille du Midi lift and Lac des Gaillands, with some cheaper beds on the bus line.
Flying in
Geneva (GVA): Shared shuttle or coach to Chamonix, about 1 h 20 min, ≈ A$44. Book ahead; long-distance buses are sometimes cheaper. Geneva is in Switzerland, so pass control applies (check).
Flewaway's estimate for the usual budget way into Chamonix; check times and fares before you fly.
Getting around
Mostly on foot. A single ticket is ≈ A$0. The town centre is walkable; valley buses and the Mont-Blanc Express train run from Les Houches to Vallorcine and are usually free with your guest card. Lifts and the Montenvers train are paid and seasonal (check).
Mont-Blanc Multipass (≈ A$140, 1 day): Covers most of the valley's summer lifts and the Montenvers train; only worth it if you'll ride two or more dear lifts in a day (check prices and days).
