Adaptive Sensory Walks in Chamonix
Nature walks for the disabled in Chamonix, including the visually impaired, hard of hearing or autistic youngsters
In 2012, the photographer/author Teresa Kaufman hosted her first group of autistic adolescents on a Discovery & Photo Walk in the valley of Chamonix. She is now introducing a 5 Senses Walk for disabled visitors - visually impaired, hard of hearing or autistic youngsters.
The 5 Senses Walk takes place in a preserved natural environment, silent and stress-free. The walk is not strenuous and is easily accessible on foot after a 10-15 minute walk on an uphill slope to get to the starting point of the itinerary.
The walk is run on a private basis for individuals or small groups (max 3 people) and will be tailored to each individual participant. Participants must be accompanied by a responsible educator or member of the family.
Nature’s language for each individual:
- Sounds: birds, insects, bubbling brooks, wind and breeze
- Smells: earthly aromas provoked by heat and humidity
- Cool temperatures: shaded forests or a mountain’s looming mass
- Caresses: sensations on the skin from a light breeze
- Proprioception: different terrains offering unique sensations underfoot; cool moss beds, bouncy heather fields, wet and warm peat bogs and dry pebbly paths.
- Taste: when possible, a burst of flavour from a wild raspberry…
Many and sometimes all of these sensory-charged locations can be felt and interpreted in different manners by disabled persons anxious to experience a part of Chamonix’s nature.
Participants are welcome to bring their favourite recording device to capture the experience: a camera, smart-phone, dictaphone, sketch-pad… Or simply their curiosity to discover and experience the tactile sensations.
Useful information:
- The walk takes approximately 3hrs, depending on the pace of the participant
- For details on prices and conditions you can contact Teresa. There is no charge for the educator or parent. Larger groups on request.
- The walks will be available during the summer and autumn season.
Why take part?
Teresa strongly believes in the benefit of an experience blending nature with photography or sound recordings as it provides a long-lasting souvenir of sensations for the participant. Capturing and recording the experience naturally engages the person’s attention to his immediate environment, sharpens his ability to see details, enhances his faculty to hear and stimulates his sense of smell and taste.
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What to see
Sights in Chamonix
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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.
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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
This restaurant is part of the popular Rocky Pop Hotel, opened in December 2016, whose ethos is "joy and togetherness".
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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 Saint Antoine Pizzeria Restaurant
Cosy interior and a beautiful sunny terrace with views overlooking Mont Blanc and the Aiguille du Midi.
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Le Hors Pistes Restaurant
Brilliantly located in the heart of the Les Houches Prarion ski area.
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Le Delice Restaurant and Café
Le Delice in Les Houches serves fresh seasonal dishes made from scratch, including two flavour-packed burgers with homemade fries. There are veggie vegan and gluten-free options, plus a great drinks list with beers on tap cocktails and local liqueurs. Whether you're after lunch dinner or just a drink it's a welcoming spot with something for everyone.
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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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Chamonix Valley Vortex Walk
Chamonix-based photographer and writer Teresa Kaufman has been hosting Discovery & Photo Walks since 2011 in the beautiful and energy-charged environment of the Chamonix Valley. Orignally designed for budding photographers visiting Mont Blanc, Teresa’s walks have started to appeal to a different kind of visitor - those looking for a digital detox from the internet and social networks in order to reconnect to nature in Chamonix’s fantastic landscapes.
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Adaptive Sensory Walks in Chamonix
In 2012, the photographer/author Teresa Kaufman hosted her first group of autistic adolescents on a Discovery & Photo Walk in the valley of Chamonix. She is now introducing a 5 Senses Walk for disabled visitors - visually impaired, hard of hearing or autistic youngsters.
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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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Outdoor Ice Rink
This open air ice rink is open throughout the winter months from late December to the end of March. It is situated on the main road just opposite the exit toward the train station and the motorway.
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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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Mont-Blanc Forest
Zip wires, rope bridges and tree top courses in the woods in Les Houches.
