Chamonix Holiday Planning & Travel Scout - Teresa Kaufman
Your holiday time in the Chamonix valley is valuable. Every day counts. Every moment should be a special one.

© Refuge Bellachat
Simple accommodation with an exceptional panorama of Mont Blanc
This small but easily accessible refuge has some of the best views of Mont Blanc on offer in the Chamonix valley.
The accommodation is simple, with an outside toilet and no hot showers.
There are three dormitories of six, 10 and 12 beds; bedding is included but for hygiene reasons you must provide your own sheet or sleeping bag liner.
Be warned that the beds in the dormitory are side by side.
The refuge offers half-board, B&B or bed only accommodation; a lunch-snack menu is served during the day and the sunny terrace is a popular refreshment stop for passing hikers. The cuisine is typical alpine food such as homemade soups, seasonal salads, local cheeses, cured meats, blueberry tarts and so on.
The refuge is open from June to September. Please enquire directly with the refuge for this season's prices and its opening and closing dates.
The refuge can be accessed by taking the Brévent cable car from the centre of Chamonix and then walking on foot for approximately 45 minutes. Alternatively there is a trail from the Merlet animal park in Les Houches.
Your holiday time in the Chamonix valley is valuable. Every day counts. Every moment should be a special one.
This company's sole activity is tandem paragliding, so they are 100 % focused on you and your flight. Their fully qualified pilots have vast experience and have done 1,000s of flight in the Chamonix Valley.
Chamonix's own Cinema VOX is situated right in the centre of town, slightly tucked back on the Place Balmat (main square in the centre). There are three recently refurbished screens equipped with digital 3D projectors show the latest French and International films, as well as a number of premieres and specialist mountain-sports films.
Here’s an opportunity to let a professional photographer capture the true bond between a man and his dog... cat, or otherwise!
Off-piste snowshoe outings where you can discover the charm and serenity of the Chamonix Valley on foot.
The Chamonix-based photographer Teresa Kaufman proposes naturally-lit photoshoots to capture and illustrate quality memories in outstanding surroundings.
Situated in La Folie Douce Hotel, enjoy a delicious meal after a morning on the slopes with family or friends.
Using high-quality ingredients and traditional methods, these pizzas are made with a sourdough crust prepared from mother yeast, two flours, sea salt, water and extra virgin olive oil, then left to rise for at least 72 hours for light, easy digestion. They use San Marzano and Yellow Datterini tomatoes and the freshest fior di latte mozzarella. With sustainability in mind, only a couple of organic meat options are offered, keeping the menu thoughtful and delicious.
This elegant restaurant is situated in La Folie Douce Hotel.
Bighorn Bistro in Chamonix Sud is known for its homemade American-style comfort food, from stacked burgers to freshly baked desserts. You can pair your meal with a craft beer or one of their creative cocktails. With friendly service and a laid-back atmosphere, it’s a favourite with both locals and visitors, offering generous portions, warm hospitality, and a menu that consistently delivers hearty, satisfying flavours after a day on the mountain or during a relaxed evening out.
Whether you’re hungry or thirsty after a day on the mountain, Big Mountain Bar has you sorted. Settle into the relaxed bar area or soak up the sunshine from the terrace.
This tastefully refurbished restaurant and bar are right in the heart of Chamonix on the popular Avenue Michel Croz, close to the train station.
Brévent is the closest summer lift to the centre of Chamonix and its impressive rocky summit rises to 2,525m above sea level.
Parc de Merlet is a great place to spot some local animals in their natural environment. A nature reserve, rather than a zoo, the park is perched on a large plateau high above Les Houches.
This small two person chairlift is only open for a short time in summer, but it's great if you want to take a close up look at the bottom of the Glacier des Bossons.
Discover the minerals from the Mont Blanc Valley, famous throughout the world, and learn more about the art of mountaineering.
This museum houses exhibits of Chamonix's past.
The museum is currently closed for renovations
The Brévent gondola delivers efficient high-speed access to the ski area, from the centre of Chamonix town - almost.
The Aiguille du Midi summits at a height of 3,842m and is the starting point for the famous Vallée Blanche off-piste route. There is a dedicated lift pass office here which can sell you tickets not only for the Midi but also any of the other lifts in the valley.
This ticket office not only sells tickets for the Montenvers train but also all other lift passes for the area that Compagnie du Mont Blanc cover.
The Chamonix cross-country ski trails are easily accessed from the centre of town and are located near to the sports centre.
Les Planards is very much a family and beginner area, with nursery slopes and other fun activities on offer. Situated just beside the Montenvers Train station it's easily accessible.
Les Houches has 2 cross-country ski areas, both of which are free to use.
Les Bossons is a sleepy little village just a five-minute drive from the centre Chamonix on the road to Les Houches. It is fairly spread out and consists mainly of chalet-style properties and is popular with families due to its school.
Chamonix is a lively market town known as both a world-class ski resort and mountaineering destination. Consequently, it is bustling with activity, in both the winter and summer seasons. Situated in the Haute-Savoie region of France, Chamonix is bordered by Switzerland and Italy and dominated by the incredible Aiguilles de Chamonix mountain chain which peaks at the top of Mont Blanc (4,810m) - the highest in Western Europe.
Les Houches is one of the largest towns in the Chamonix Valley, spreading over 8km from Vaudagne and the Col de Voza at one end, towards the bottom of the Taconnaz glacier and the Merlet Animal park at the other.
Les Praz is a small picturesque village on the outskirts of Chamonix. The village is surrounded by forests and streams making it an idyllic mountain hideaway and a popular place to live. You will find many chalet-style properties in this area. It is also home to a number of good bars and restaurants.
Argentière is a picturesque village within the Chamonix Valley and is just a short 10-minute car journey from Chamonix town. This charming village has been less affected by wealthy tourists and ex-patriots from various countries who have chosen to make their living in the mountains. It therefore retains a lot of authentic French charm and has a beautiful unspoilt high street with patisseries, boulangeries and wine bars.
Le Tour is a small, quaint little village at the far end of the Chamonix Valley in the Domaine de la Balme area. Take a stroll around the back streets to see some of the classically Alpine-style houses and the church dome. Look up to see the glaciers reaching down towards you, which are really impressive even in the height of summer.
Find out all about what is happening in the Chamonix valley and how to make the most of your time here. The latest news, reviews of fun activities, current events and the trendiest restaurants, as well as interviews with leading locals, insider's guides and our top choices for things to do, see and experience in the valley. Plus, during the winter season, our famous snow reports and dump alerts all in the same place.
See allLatest News & ReviewsChamonix hosts a wide range of sporting events throughout the year. The biggest ones include the Mont Blanc Marathon in June and the UTMB trail running race in August. In March, the Unlimited Festival brings ravers to the mountains while Musilac Mont Blanc takes place a month later. At the end of July, the Cosmo Jazz Festival hosts concerts all around the valley.
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