Chamonix, by a local guide

The unmissable sights

The valley's villages and hamlets

Chamonix stretches across a 20 km valley. Every hamlet has its own atmosphere, altitude and crowd.

• Chamonix centre

  The epicentre. Restaurants, bars, shops, cable cars (Aiguille du Midi, Brévent). Very lively, sometimes loud in peak season. Practical but not exactly restful.

• Les Praz (1,060 m)

  3 km north. More chic, quieter, open views onto the Aiguille Verte and Drus. Chamonix golf course, Flégère cable car. Our favourite for a calm stay.

• Argentière (1,252 m)

  8 km north. Authentic village at the foot of Grands Montets. Experienced skiers and alpinists, more authentic and warm atmosphere.

• Le Tour (1,462 m)

  The last hamlet before the Swiss border. Small family ski area, magical view onto Le Tour glacier.

• Les Bossons / Les Pélerins (1,010 m)

  South of the centre, at the foot of the Bossons glacier (the most impressive ice fall, visible from the road). Quieter and more affordable.

• Les Houches (1,008 m)

  8 km south. Family-friendly village-resort, more accessible prices, independent ski area. Panoramic view onto the Mont Blanc range from the Bellevue cable car.

• Servoz (790 m)

  Lower in the valley, more rural Savoyard atmosphere. Ideal if you have a car and want to escape the Chamonix crowd.

The best things to do

• Go up the Aiguille du Midi early

  First cable cars at 7am or 8am depending on season. Clear light, blue sky, minimal queues. The most memorable moment in Chamonix.

• Montenvers train + ice cave

  The classic combo. 30 min train + 1h on site. Buy at the station (cable-car combo optional).

• Tandem paragliding from Brévent

  15-20 min flight, landing in town. €130-160. Kailash Parapente, Summits Parapente, Chamonix Parapente.

• Hike to Lac Blanc (2,352 m)

  From the Flégère. 2h ascent, marked trail, an alpine lake with a perfect view onto Mont Blanc. Chamonix's signature hike.

• ENSA guided tour

  École Nationale de Ski et d'Alpinisme. By reservation, free, fascinating insight into mountain-guide training.

• A via ferrata

  Via Ferrata des Évettes (Les Houches) for beginners or the Curalla (very exposed, advanced). With or without a guide.

• Off-piste skiing with a guide

  The Vallée Blanche from the Aiguille du Midi: a 20 km glacier descent. A guide is essential. The Alps' most iconic descent.

• Croix de la Flégère at sunset

  Short 1h hike from the cable-car top, extraordinary viewpoint. Evening cable car in summer.

Our favourite walks

• The Petit Balcon Sud

  Balcony path between Servoz and Argentière, almost flat over 20 km. Walkable in sections (2-4h each). Continuous view onto the massif.

• The Petit Balcon Nord

  On the south side, shaded — ideal in heat. Between Les Tines and Lavancher.

• Plan de l'Aiguille → Montenvers (« Grand Balcon Nord »)

  Cable car to the Plan de l'Aiguille (2,317 m), 3h traverse almost flat facing Mont Blanc, descent by Montenvers train. A memorable day.

• Lac des Gaillands (from Les Pélerins)

  30 min shaded walk. A small lake with a climbing crag, picnic table, Mont Blanc view. Family-friendly.

• Aiguillette des Houches (2,285 m)

  From Bellevue, 1h30 walk, exceptional panorama over the range and Vallée Blanche. Far less crowded than Lac Blanc.

• Refuge du Plan de l'Aiguille

  30 min from the Plan de l'Aiguille cable car top. Lunch or afternoon snack facing Mont Blanc in a legendary refuge.

• Aiguilles Rouges tour

  For experienced hikers: 2 days, 1 night in refuge, 360° views onto Mont Blanc and the Argentière basin.

Haute-Savoie specialities to taste

• Tartiflette

  Potatoes, lardons, onions, a whole reblochon melted on top. The French Alps' iconic dish.

• Fondue savoyarde

  Beaufort + Comté + Emmental, Apremont white wine. To share among friends after a day's skiing.

• Raclette

  Half wheel of cheese, scraped onto steamed potatoes and charcuterie. The cosy winter dish.

• Diots de Savoie

  Savoyard sausages simmered in white wine and onions. Often served with creamy polenta or crozets.

• Farçon savoyard

  Grated potatoes, lardons, prunes and eggs slow-baked. An ancient peasant dish, rich and hearty.

• Croûte aux morilles

  Toasted country bread with morel and vin jaune cream sauce. The smart Savoyard bistro special.

• Alpine beef tartare

  A frequent mountain speciality — raw beef knife-chopped, served with fries.

• Reblochon AOP

  From the nearby Grand-Bornand valley. Best at room temperature.

• Beaufort AOP

  The « prince of gruyères ». Excellent aged 12-18 months.

• Savoyard bugnes

  Small fritters, traditionally enjoyed in winter, especially at Carnival.

• Savoie wines

  Roussette, Apremont, Mondeuse. Crisp and mineral, perfect with melted cheese.

Restaurants by mood and budget

Cafés and tea rooms

Great bars

• Chambre Neuf (rue Joseph Vallot)

  Chamonix's legendary après-ski. Live concerts every evening in season, international crowd, packed terrace from 5pm.

• MBC — Micro Brasserie de Chamonix

  Craft brewery making its own beer on site. An institution since 2002, mountain atmosphere.

• Elevation 1904 (place Balmat)

  More mature cocktail and lounge bar, wines, charcuterie boards. For a calmer evening.

• L'Office (centre)

  British pub, craft beers, young international crowd. Sports and concert programming.

• Le Brasilito (rue Joseph Vallot)

  Creative cocktails, mojitos and caïpirinhas. Small, intimate, party vibe.

• The Long Bar (Hôtel Mont-Blanc)

  Hushed cocktail bar in a historic palace. For a properly made old fashioned.

• Casino Barrière

  Casino bar facing Mont Blanc, for those who want a few chips after dinner.

Panoramic terraces

Chamonix doesn't really have « rooftops » in the urban sense — the valley is steep-sided. But several terraces facing Mont Blanc offer unbeatable panoramas.

• Le 3842 (Aiguille du Midi)

  Europe's highest restaurant, at 3,842 m. 360° view of the Alps, casual and affordable for the experience.

• Refuge du Plan de l'Aiguille (2,317 m)

  Plunging view onto Chamonix and Mont Blanc face. Polished refuge cuisine, lunch or snack.

• Brasserie Le 360° (Brévent, 2,525 m)

  Terrace directly facing Mont Blanc. Avoid peak-season cable car queues, magical at sunset.

• Auberge du Bois Prin terrace

  Open view onto the range from Les Moussoux, old-world hotel atmosphere.

• Le Panoramique restaurant (Mer de Glace)

  From Montenvers, view onto the Mer de Glace. Very touristy but the site is worth it.

Nightlife

• Chambre Neuf

  The historic nightlife HQ. Live concerts, après-ski, full-on beer vibe until midnight.

• MBC

  Craft beers + DJs some evenings. Authentic mountain-town atmosphere.

• Le Choucas Disco

  One of the valley's rare clubs. Student and tourist nights.

• Le Garage Live

  Concert venue in a converted petrol station. Rock, electronic, indie programming.

• L'Amnesia (centre)

  Late-night bar club, DJs at weekends.

Good to know: Chamonix nightlife is concentrated in the bars (especially Chambre Neuf and MBC) rather than clubs. For proper club nights, you need to head to Annecy (1h) or Geneva (1h15).

Markets

• Chamonix market (place du Mont-Blanc)

  Saturday morning. Local producers, cheeses, charcuterie, honey, Savoie wines. The Chamoniards' weekly ritual.

• Argentière market

  Wednesday morning in season. Smaller, more authentic. Ideal for chalet groceries.

• Servoz market

  Wednesday morning (summer). Small producers' market in the heart of the village.

• Christmas market

  December. Wooden chalets on place Balmat, mulled wine, crafts, a magical atmosphere with Mont Blanc as backdrop.

Unique activities

• Tandem paragliding from Brévent

  15-20 min flight, landing in town. €130-160. An unforgettable experience facing Mont Blanc.

• Beginners' mountaineering course

  Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix (the oldest in the world, founded in 1821). 2-7 day courses by level.

• Vallée Blanche off-piste

  20 km glacier descent from the Aiguille du Midi. Guide mandatory. January-April.

• Rafting on the Arve

  Sporty river, 1h30 descents, water base at Les Houches.

• Canyoning at Saint-Gervais (summer)

  Several canyons by level, crystal-clear water. With guide.

• Climbing at Les Gaillands

  Historic climbing site 5 min from the centre, walls for all levels.

• Mont Blanc Helicopters scenic flight

  Helicopter tour of the massif, 15-30 min, from €240/person. The luxury option.

• Compagnie des Guides — ice outing

  Beginners' ice climb on the Bossons glacier: crampons, ice axe, roped walking. Half day.

• UTMB (end of August)

  The world's most famous ultra-trail, 175 km around Mont Blanc, 10,000 runners, unparalleled festival atmosphere. Accommodation booked out.

Outings by profile

Where to buy real souvenirs (not magnets)

• Saturday market (place du Mont-Blanc)

  Reblochon, Beaufort, honey, charcuterie, génépi — straight from producers.

• Snell Sports (rue du Docteur Paccard)

  Historic mountaineering shop. For a real fleece or ice axe — quality equipment.

• La Maison du Cristal (Argentière)

  Quartz crystals from the valley, found and cut by local crystal hunters.

• Fromagerie de la Vallée (Les Houches)

  Cheese affineur, tasting boards, on-site sale.

• Patagonia Chamonix (centre)

  One of the largest European stores. Premium outdoor equipment.

• Cham'Ride

  Independent snowboard and ski boutique, sharp selection.

• Maison Mazet (bakery-pâtisserie)

  For exceptional gâteau de Savoie, brioches and viennoiseries to take home.

• Distillerie du Mont-Blanc (Les Houches)

  Local artisan liqueurs and brandies. Tour and tasting.

Local products to take home

• Farmhouse Reblochon AOP

  Keep cold. Vacuum-pack available at any cheesemonger.

• Alpage Beaufort AOP

  Hard cheese, travels very well for weeks.

• Alpine génépi (liqueur)

  Distillerie du Mont-Blanc or Distillerie des Alpes. Hold luggage only.

• Mountain honey

  Floral, rhododendron or fir. Hold luggage (liquid).

• Mountain dry sausage

  Valley charcutiers. Perfect in carry-on.

• Bottle of Mondeuse or Apremont

  Savoie wine. Hold luggage.

• Opinel n°8 knife

  The regional icon. Hold luggage only.

• Hiking or mountaineering guidebook

  Librairie Landru (centre) for the classics of alpine literature.

• Raw quartz crystal

  An authentic souvenir, found in the massif. La Maison du Cristal.

Getting around — practical tips

• FREE valley bus (Chamonix Bus / Mulet)

  Lines serving every hamlet (Servoz, Les Houches, Chamonix, Argentière, Le Tour) every 15-30 min. Free with your guest card (issued by your host).

• Mont-Blanc Express train

  Panoramic railway between Saint-Gervais and Vallorcine (Swiss border). Hourly. Also included with the guest card.

• Mont-Blanc Multipass (summer)

  Unlimited 1-12 day pass on all cable cars (Aiguille du Midi, Brévent, Flégère, Mer de Glace, Grands Montets, etc.). Very cost-effective for 3+ day stays.

• Bike and MTB (summer)

  Cycle paths along the valley. Rental at Cham'Bikes, Sanglard Sports.

• Car

  Useful for Brévent, Argentière or excursions (Plaine-Joux, Saint-Gervais). In peak season, park at the free Outa car park in Chamonix and use the buses.

• From Geneva airport

  Direct shuttles by Mountain Drop-Offs, Chamonix Cabs: 1h, €30-40. Preferable to the train (3 changes required).

• From Annecy

  1h by car via the A40 motorway. No direct train link.

Mistakes to avoid

• Going up the Aiguille du Midi without booking in summer

  Queues of 2h+ in July-August. Book online at compagniedumontblanc.fr the day before.

• Underestimating altitude (3,842 m)

  Dizziness, breathlessness, nausea are common at the summit. Hydrate, don't run, descend if symptoms persist.

• Underestimating mountain weather

  Altitude storms, fog and snow can hit in minutes even in summer. Always carry windbreaker + fleece + water.

• Going off-piste or summiting without a guide

  These are glaciers: crevasses, séracs, extreme exposure. Hiring a guide isn't optional.

• Booking during UTMB without realising

  End of August, the town triples, accommodation +50-100%, restaurants saturated. Check the dates.

• Confusing Albert 1er and La Maison Carrier

  Albert 1er = 2 stars, haute cuisine, €250 menu; La Maison Carrier = traditional Savoyard cuisine, €50-60. Same owners, two different experiences.

• Parking in the town centre

  Paid car parks are saturated. Park free at the Outa lots and use the free buses.

• Eating « savoyard » every day

  Melted cheese = heavy daily digestion. Alternate with lighter brasseries or world cuisine.

• Visiting Mer de Glace in summer without a hat

  The Montenvers train and arrival have no shade. The sun is fierce at 2,000 m.

Insider tips from Chamoniards

• Free guest card

  Ask your host on arrival. Grants free bus + Mont-Blanc Express + various discounts.

• Brévent at sunset

  Cable car open in the evening in summer. Mont Blanc turning pink-orange, fewer people than during the day.

• Lac Blanc at dawn

  5am start, sunrise at the lake, Mont Blanc reflected in the water. Unforgettable. First cable cars at 8am but you can hike up before.

• Refuge du Plan de l'Aiguille for lunch

  Quieter than the Aiguille du Midi, equally spectacular view. Refuge prices, simple good food.

• Bivouac at the Chéserys lakes (summer)

  High-altitude lakes above Lac Blanc, magnificent at sunrise. Bivouac tolerated in the Aiguilles Rouges (strict rules: 7pm-9am, zero trace).

• Saturday market at 10am, not 11am

  Before the crowd. The best producers sell their best pieces early.

• Shoulder seasons = May-June and September-October

  Often magnificent weather, accommodation -30%, no crowds, restaurants open.

• Vallorcine to escape Chamonix

  30 min on the Mont-Blanc Express train. Swiss-border village, calm, lesser-known hikes, alpine pastures.

• Skip the paid pools — Lac des Gaillands is free

  Officially no swimming but tolerated at your own risk. Magical setting.

Suggested itineraries

Chamonix has to be earned: the mountains set the pace, the moods and the risks. Take time to breathe (literally — the altitude), look up often, don't rush. And if you need advice during your stay — weather, refuge, guide, last-minute restaurant — our SmartStay team is reachable seven days a week.

Enjoy Chamonix — and don't forget to look up at Mont Blanc at least once an hour.