Chamonix is one of Europe’s largest mountain resorts, famous for its ascent of Mont Blanc and offering a variety of Alpine landscapes. Here you’ll find something for everyone and every taste, whether you’re into hiking, skiing, extreme sports or simply looking for a bit of relaxation in a unique location. Chamonix Hôtel gives you the top 10 places to visit during your stay in the Mont Blanc valley:
1)Aiguille du Midi cable car
The Aiguille du Midi is considered one of the best vantage points in the French Alps. Located at an altitude of 3842 meters, it can be reached by Europe’s highest cable car in around 20 minutes. A visit to the Aiguille du Midi offers superb views of the surrounding massifs, including the summit of Mont Blanc. For experienced skiers, it’s also the starting point for the Vallée Blanche. At the summit, you can visit exhibitions and experience the “Pas dans le Vide”. With this spectacular attraction, you walk in a glass cage suspended in the void. At the mid-station, you can also hike to Montenvers and the Mer de Glace.
2) Montenvers train and Mer de Glace
The Mer de Glace is a famous glacier at an altitude of 2,000 meters, stretching over 7 km in length. It’s a very popular destination for tourists, who take the Montenvers train to get a panoramic view of the glacier. You can then visit the Grotte de Glace by cable car and staircase. Please note that as the glacier melts, the number of steps required to reach the grotto has increased.
3) Lac Blanc hike
Lac Blanc lies at an altitude of 2,352 meters and offers spectacular views of Mont Blanc, which rises to 4,810 meters. It’s a popular destination for nature lovers and photographers in search of a magical shot. And if you’re looking to get away from it all, the path leading to Lac Blanc and the steep trails around it offer a wild and grandiose panorama of the surrounding mountains.
3) Skiing down the Vallée Blanche
The Vallée Blanche is a high glacial valley located between the Aiguilles du Midi and the Aiguille du Gouter. It offers skiers a magnificent journey through magnificent scenery, dotted with glaciers, cliffs and waterfalls. Beware, skiing the Vallée Blanche is reserved for the most experienced skiers. It is strongly recommended to ski this glacier route with a mountain guide.
4) Climb to Lac Noir
Situated at an altitude of 1867 metres, Lac Noir is a large, calm and peaceful body of water surrounded by lush green forests. The lake is ideal for swimming in summer, and for strolling around in the colder months. A visit to Lac Noir is even more beautiful if you go at dusk, when the colors of sunset illuminate the lake.
5) Visit the Cascade de Bérard and Vallorcine
The Cascade de Bérard is an impressive waterfall at an altitude of 1660 metres. Surrounded by lush forests, the waterfall descends from over 50 meters and is located close to the village of Vallorcine. Every year, the Cascade de Bérard attracts tourists in search of summer coolness. It offers breathtaking natural beauty.
6) Hiking at Col des Montets & Aiguilles Rouges.
With its 1,350-meter vertical drop, the Col des Montets is a legendary route linking the Swiss Valais to Chamonix. As soon as you cross the Col des Montets, you’ll be greeted by a superb view of the Brevent and Mont Blanc. This is an excellent opportunity to observe the local wildlife and admire the surrounding nature. From the Col des Montets, you can hike into the Aiguilles Rouges nature reserve and climb up to Lac Blanc. On the other side, you can reach the aiguillette des Posettes or Charamillon and the village of Le Tour.
7) Family fun at Parc des Planards
Parc des Planards is a theme park located in the heart of Chamonix. It’s a huge green space where children (and adults) can spend hours having fun and doing lots of activities. There are many attractions for children. You can go tobogganing in summer and winter. Children can also enjoy a variety of rides.
8) Discover history at the Alpine Museum
Located in Chamonix, the Musée Alpin presents the history and exploits of 19th and 20th century mountaineers. Opened in 2017, the museum traces the lives and travels of the valley’s mountaineers and top sportsmen. It also features permanent exhibitions on Mont Blanc, mountain sports and Alpine exploration.
9) See the animals at Parc de Merlet
At Parc Merlet, you can walk among mountain animals such as marmots, ibex and llamas. The park offers visitors a wide range of activities to enjoy nature. You can also explore the wealth of local flora and fauna, take part in environmental awareness workshops or simply relax in the magnificent setting of the Alps.
10) Paragliding on Mont Blanc
Chamonix is an incredible place to discover paragliding. Paragliding schools generally take off from the Planpraz launch area and land at Brévent or Bois du Bouchet.
In short, Chamonix offers something for every type of traveler. Whether you’re interested in extreme sports or leisurely strolls, you’ll always find something to do in Chamonix. So these 10 must-see places are a great introduction to your next adventure in the Alps!
