Destination Guide: Chamonix
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is one of the most vibrant and cosmopolitan towns in the French Alps.
Since the growth of tourism in the early 19th century, visitors have flocked to the resort of Chamonix in their millions, drawn by the breathtaking scenery which surrounds the valley and the myriad of activities which take place in, on and around it.
If you’re an active type, almost every conceivable outdoor pursuit can be experienced around Chamonix – from skiing and ice climbing, to paragliding and mountain biking. Brave participants can enjoy the thrill of climbing up, sliding down, or jumping off Mont Blanc (at 4808m it’s Europe’s highest mountain), the less lofty Le Brévent range, or the Aiguilles Rouges; all within easy reach from Chamonix town itself.
Those with more sedate tastes can sample picturesque hiking and snowshoe trails. The cable cars and cog railways that traverse the entire Mont Blanc Massif, with captivating viewpoints lead to many mountain restaurants with can be found dotted around the pistes of the Chamonix Valley.
If all that sounds too much like hard work, Chamonix town itself has plenty to occupy the visitor: super cool art deco hotels, quaint alpine farms and charming baroque churches provide the backdrop to the bustling centre, and punctuate a sea of cafes, restaurants, bars and nightclubs. Soak up the culture in the Alpine Museum, lose yourself in the shops and boutiques, or sooth away aches and pains in the swimming pool and spa.
Sites about Chamonix:
www.chamonixinfo.com Comprehensive guide to Chamonix, featuring info on travelling to and staying in Chamonix as well as details of activities, events, nightlife, shopping and more.
www.lepetitcanardchx.com The number one guide to Chamonix nightlife. Find out what’s happening in the clubs and pubs throughout the summer and winter seasons.
www.naturalchamonix.com An extensive range of rental accommodation throughout the Chamonix Valley; from self-catered apartments to fully catered chalets.
Things to see and do in Chamonix
There's plenty to keep you occupied and entertained in Chamonix, but we'd definately recommend adding the following to your 'must do' list:
• Montenvers Railway: Spectacular cog railway from Chamonix to Montenvers, above the Mer de Glace. Experience the heights and sights without the hard work.
• Le Panoramic: Restaurant at the top station of the Brévent cable car, with top class cuisine and a breathtaking view of the Mont Blanc Massif. Well worth a visit.
• Grotte de la Mer de Glace: Carved every spring since 1946, the ‘ice cave’ takes three months to make, and has in interior temperature of around -2 to -5 degrees Centigrade.
• Cantina: Hip and happening bar/club/venue. Pop in for a cocktail, fill up on ‘Tex-Mex’ food (their specialty) and dance to DJs and live bands ‘till the early hours.
• Le Lapin Agile: Our favourite apres-ski and chilling out bar in Chamonix with an ever-changing selection of fine wines served by the glass and handpicked by the Italian owners Stefania and Gianluca. Be ther around 18:30 and enjoy the tasty free nibbles!
• Chamonix Golf Course: Enjoy 18 holes on this challenging golf course with stunning views, or practice your swing and aim at the driving range, open until 19:00 each day in Les Praz
Upcoming events in Chamonix
Chamonix has a full and vibrant calendar of events throughout the year. Here's two that the Mountain Drop-offs team recommend you definitely shouldn't miss:
Chamonix Outdoor Swimming Pool
New this summer!
After several years in the making, Chamonix's new swanky outdoor swimming pool area is open this summer. Boasting a multi-lane water slide, a children's pool, leisure pool area and laned pool in an infinity pool style, Chamonix Leisure Centre is set to be THE place to be.
Relax on the terraces surrounding the pools, read a book, gaze up at the snow-capped mountains and make a splash in the pool. The prefect way to while away a morning or afternoon in Chamonix that doesn't involved anything more extreme that swimming a few lengths.
The new look outdoor pool is open from the 19th June 2010. The indoor pools and spa areas are open as follows:
29th May to 30th June 2010: Every day from 12:00 to 19:30 (except Sat and Sun when it opens 14:00 to 19:30)
1st July to 31 August 2020: Every day 10:00 to 19:00
Chamonix Bike Fest 2010
7 August
Last year's Bike Fest in Chamonix (supported by Mountain Drop Offs we might add!) was a huge success and this year the event is just getting bigger and bigger!
Now the new Bike Park is up and running at La Flegere, the Chamonix Bike Fest 2010 will kick off during the day with both downhill and uphill comps over in Flegere.
The downhill action will all be taking place under the Index lift and there'll be live music, DJs, bar and BBQ to keep you entertained whilst watching the very best riders from all over Europe and beyond competing.
Apres-mountain biking is set to be enormous, with Chamonix town centre being turned into a freestyle bike park with jumps and modules being set up on rue Paccard, right outside the POC shop.
Last year's show was full of incredible riding and the crowd were really up for it, so if you're around on the 7th August this year, we highly recommend watching these guys pulling some seriously mad moves in the middle of Cham!
North Face Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc
25-30 August
The Ultra Trail is an annual event that is one of the most extreme in its kind. The famous Tour du Mont Blanc is for most people a hike enjoyed over 7-10 days, taking you around the Mont Blanc whilst passing through France, Italy and Switzerland.
It follows high altitude passages (>2500m) and weather conditions can be extreme like cold, rain and even snow. The hard-core runners of the ultra-trail undertake to run the 166km of this mountainous terrain in under 46h! The competitors are constantly pushing their limits to the extreme, and don’t even stop at nightfall.
The Ultra Trail is amazingly beautiful: passing through pastures, streams, forests, rocky paths, snow covered trails, and those numerous high-mountain passes! It goes through 3 alpine regions: the Savoie, Aosta valley and the Valais region. It passes valleys and goes over cols, all at the foot of the magnificent Mont Blanc Range.
