Montagnard museum
Situated in a house dating back to the 1750's, this museum showcases mountain lifestyles from the reconstruction of three pieces of traditional housing and objects from everyday life.
Parc de Merlet MTB trail
A 19km ride with +700m ascent starting from the centre of Chamonix
Head towards the Lac de Gaillands where you veer off to the right, alongside the climbing wall. From here keep going along the river path towards Les Houches.
There are a couple of short, sharp hills on the way to test your legs and lungs. Once you've come to the end of the river track near Les Houches station you'll start the climb up the tarmac road to the Parc de Merlet. It's a long slog, but worth it for the descent.
You'll know you're in the right spot when you see the picnic tables just down a little way from the entrance to the animal park. Stop for a breather here (you've earnt it!) and then head across and down the steps that mark the start of the down hill section.
Be careful as a few of the couloirs are not good places to stop for fear of falling rocks, and there are a few very technical rocky sections at the top that will either seriously test your skills, or have you walking over them. After this top techy bit there's some great single track back down through the trees to Gaillands. It gets easier to ride and faster the closer you get towards the bottom.
You can always treat yourself to a cold beer at Le Vert Hotel on the way back into town.
- Distance : 19km
- Time : 2-3 hrs
- Vertical Gain : 700m
What to see
Sights in Chamonix
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Les Houches summer lifts
Les Houches sits at the bottom end of the Chamonix Valley and is a popular place for hikers, mountaineers and mountain bikers in the summer months.
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Parc de Merlet
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.
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Les Bossons glacier
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.
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Tramway du Mont-Blanc
The Tramway du Mont Blanc runs from the bottom of the valley in Le Fayet all the way up to the Nid d'Aigle at 2,380m above Les Houches.
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Maison de l'Alpage museum
This little museum is housed in the same building as the post office and library in the village centre of Servoz.
Where to lunch
Restaurants in Les Houches
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Rocky Pop Restaurant
The Rocky Pop Restaurant in Les Houches, part of the vibrant Rocky Pop Hotel opened in December 2016, reflects the brand’s playful ethos of “joy and togetherness.” The food offering matches the lively atmosphere, with a fun, diverse menu designed to please all ages and tastes. Expect crowd-pleasing dishes, colourful presentations, and relaxed dining that encourages sharing and socialising. It’s a welcoming spot where families, groups, and friends can enjoy tasty, unfussy meals in a cheerful setting.
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Kitsch Inn Bar & Restaurant
Quirkily decorated, as the name suggests, this restaurant has different rooms for different moods. Grab a quick coffee and a snack at the breakfast bar, enjoy a casual meal in the retro formica kitchen area, or sit and take your time over dinner at one of the large tables in the dining room. They also have a large sunny terrace where they serve up a nice BBQ in the summer and a kids play area.
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Le Hors Pistes Restaurant
Brilliantly located in the heart of the Les Houches Prarion ski area.
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Les Vieilles Luges Restaurant
An authentic Alpine farmhouse with a charming ambience and great food. Located right in the middle of Les Houches ski resort, this chalet serves delicious home-cooked local produce.
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Gandhi Restaurant
This restaurant serves tasty, good value Indian cuisine for lunch, dinner and to takeaway.
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La Ferme des Agapes
This restaurant is located right in front of the Bellevue cable car in Les Houches.
What to do
Things To Do in Les Houches
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Teresa Kaufman Discovery Walks & Mini-Photoshoot
An opportunity to get in the picture with Teresa Kaufman as your personal photographer, guide and story teller. This is the perfect activity accessible to everyone; children, adults, grandparents - easy walking, incredible scenery, a moment to share. Non-skiers will love it in the winter. An activity to experience with loved ones or to give as a gift.
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Mont-Blanc Forest
Zip wires, rope bridges and tree top courses in the woods in Les Houches.
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Centre Equestre Du Mont-Blanc
This horse riding centre is situated in just up the hill from the train station in Les Houches. The centre is open all year round and has both an indoor and outdoor arena.
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Indoor Climbing Wall
The Chamonix valley is home to one of the largest indoor climbing walls in France. The Mont Blanc Escalade is located in Les Houches and is open all year.
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Montagnard museum
Situated in a house dating back to the 1750's, this museum showcases mountain lifestyles from the reconstruction of three pieces of traditional housing and objects from everyday life.
-
Parc de Merlet
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.
