Sights in Chamonix — 9 of Our Favourites

The lift takes you to an altitude of 1,425m and conveniently to Chalet buvette du Glacier where you can stop for refreshments and get some great views of the bottom of the glacier. At around 7km long this is one of the longest glaciers in Europe and because it travels so far down the mountain, you can see it from pretty much everywhere in town.

From the chalet at the top of the chairlift, you can take the un-guarded hiking trail up to 'Les Pyramides' and at the very top, 'the Junction' where you will be surrounded by glaciers. 

Be warned!
It's a tough slog up and back down again, and can take the better part of a day to complete.

Mountain bikers can use the cable car but sadly are no longer allowed on the chairlift. 

Hikers can head to the Lac Blanc from here, which is well worth the trek and you're bound to come back home with some cracking photos.

Lower down the mountain you can walk down to Chalet Floria and grab some refreshments. You'll know if they're open as they fly a flag to let you know.

A gentle walk guides you around the 21 hectares of woodland and meadows where you can come face to face with alpine creatures, in their natural environment. The park was created in 1968 and shelters eight wild animal species that roam freely.

All of the paths are family-friendly and some can be accessed by pushchair. For those who enjoy a challenge, you can hike up from Lac Gaillands in the Chamonix Valley.

Top tip! 
Arrive early when the animals have just been fed or to make an evening visit when they are coming out to play.

There's a section of English language books for both adults and children.

Situated in the Chamonix Palace in the centre of town, this museum hosts a permanent collection and temporary exhibitions throughout the year.

Open every day in summer and in the school holidays except Tuesday afternoons. Closed on Christmas Day, 1 January and 1 May. Visit the website for more updated information on opening dates, times and entry fees.

You can buy also an annual museum pass for all the Chamonix museums which allows you unlimited access for one year.

It showcases archives, oddities, visual and audible displays and has a regular temporary exhibition, which you can find details of on our events calendar. 

For entry dates, times and entry fees, please take a look at their website.

Its collection of minerals and crystals have been collected in the valley, particularly smoked quartz and pink fluorspar.

There is also an interactive exhibition dedicated to mountaineering, where you can get under a modern mountaineer's skin and get to grips with the mountains that have been the major mountaineering challenges. There you can organise your own expedition and climb famous mountain faces using the world's first mountaineering simulator. Enjoy the experience of mountaineering without the risks!

For opening dates, times and entry times please visit their website.

The Mer de Glace (which translates to "Sea of Ice" in English) is 7km long and has a surface area in the region of 42km². 

It extends from an altitude of 3,900m at the point where the Leschaux, Le Tacul and the Talèfre glaciers converge, down to 1,400m, just below the Terminal Neige Refuge. The width of the glacier varies between 700m and 1,950m and the depth of the ice averages around 200m, dropping down to around 80m near the ice cave.

It's an impressive place to visit in either summer or winter, and should definitely be on your 'to do' list on a visit to Chamonix.

You can access the mid station at 1,999m either by the Plan Praz gondola or on foot, up the steep zig-zagging path that's visible from the town centre otherwise known as the vertical kilometre.

From mid station you can take the Brévent cable car straight to the top of the mountain and start various hikes from there or just take in the incredible views as you look across to the Mont Blanc massif.