Les Houches
A large town at the bottom end of the Chamonix Valley about 6km from Chamonix
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 Houches is one of the largest towns in the Chamonix Valley and just 6km from the centre of Chamonix. Sitting at 1,000 metres, it offers spectacular views of Mont Blanc and the Dome de Gouter from the top of its ski lifts. The town is popular with families and those looking for a more relaxed Chamonix holiday, with good amenities, restaurants and bars, as well as some of the valleyโs few ski in/ski out chalets and eco-friendly accommodation.
The skiing here is perfect for all abilities, with gentle slopes for beginners as well as challenging runs like the Kandahar, used in international competitions. Les Houches also marks the start or end of the Tour du Mont Blanc for many walkers. The town is made up of charming hamlets: Chef Lieu is the centre with the tourist office, ice rink and mountain museum, Vaudagne is a favourite with cyclists and home to a husky dog centre, and Coupeau sits across the valley with the Merlet Animal Park, adventure park and the statue of Christ Roi.
Servoz
Further down the valley is the small village of Servoz - the gateway into the Chamonix Valley. This traditional Alpine village, formerly a farmer settlement, has a scattered collection of accommodation options.
With fantastic views back up the valley towards Mont Blanc, Servoz is a pretty and quiet village offering potentially cheaper accommodation options. Just be aware that if you've come specifically to ski in Chamonix, it's a 15-minute drive or you'll need to take the bus or train from Servoz to reach the main slopes of Les Houches or Chamonix.
Location | Distance from Chamonix (km) | Best for |
Vallorcine | 15 | Traditional alpine charm |
Le Tour | 11.5 | Proximity to Le Tour ski area |
Argentiรจre | 9 | Proximity to Grands Montets ski area |
Le Lavancher | 6 | Seclusion |
Les Tines | 4.5 | Quiet hamlet vibe |
Les Praz/Les Bois | 2.5 to 3 | Proximity to Brevent-Flegรจre ski area |
Chamonix | 0 | Being in the heart of things |
Cham Sud | 0.75 | Central location |
Les Bossons | 3.5 | Easy access to Cham via cycle path |
Les Houches | 8.3 | Proximity to Les Houches ski area |
Servoz | 16 | Easy access to Evasion resorts |
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Sights & Attractions in Les Houches
Sights in Les Houches
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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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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.
Dining in Les Houches
Restaurants in Les Houches
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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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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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Le Basilic Restaurant
Just across the road from the Bellevue lift in Les Houches, this is a perfect spot to recharge your batteries after a day on the mountain, or pop in for lunch.
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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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Le Hors Pistes Restaurant
Brilliantly located in the heart of the Les Houches Prarion ski area.
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Gandhi Restaurant
This restaurant serves tasty, good value Indian cuisine for lunch, dinner and to takeaway.
Events in Les Houches
Events in Les Houches
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Farmer's market Les Houches
Come and discover the produce of this local farm in Les Houches.
Things to do in Les Houches
Les Houches is a popular place to ski for families thanks to its sunny, lower altitude slopes that have a base of pastures instead of rocky outcrops like some of the other ski areas in the valley. Take a look at our Les Houches Ski Area Guide for more information. It's a good place for beginner skiers too, as the slopes tend to be a little wider and less steep. It also draws people to the tree runs on bad weather ski days.
In summer there are lots of hiking and mountain bike trails that criss-cross the area. You can drop over the top of the Col de Vosa into St Gervais and take the Tramway du Mont Blanc or the regular train back.
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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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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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, Teresaโs 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 Chamonixโs fantastic landscapes.
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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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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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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.
Nightlife in Les Houches
There are a small number of bars and bars within hotels in Les Houches. Since it's quite a spread out village, they are a little thin on the ground. Try the Délice, the Kitsch Inn or Le Solerey.
Bars & Clubs in Les Houches
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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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Rocky Pop Bar
This bar is situated in the Rocky Pop Hotel which opened in December 2016. The hotel aims to break the mould of traditional style hotel accommodation with its flamboyant, fun and unconventional approach.
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Le Spot
Found at the bottom of the Bellevue cable car, Le Spot is perfectly located for for lunch or an aprรจs-ski drink.
Chalets in Les Houches
Whether you're looking for self-catered or catered chalets, Les Houches has got a broad selection available, some tucked away in far-flung corners for ultimate peace and tranquility, with others nearer the centre of this large village.
Chalets in Les Houches
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Kuma Chalet
Chalet Kuma is a truly luxurious retreat on the slopes of the famous Kandahar ski piste.
Price: โฌ9,349
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Hautbois Chalet
Nestled beneath the glaciers of the Mont Blanc massif, this chalet offers stunning views, peaceful surroundings, and is just ten minutes from the famous mountain lift stations and the lively centre of Chamonix.
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La Chaumiรจre Chalet
You will feel like youโre holidaying in your second home when you book this chalet located right next door to the hotel.
Price: โฌ2,450
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Grand Cru Chalet
Chalet Grand Cru is a ten person chalet located in the heart of Chamonix-Mont-Blanc; this great value property features incredible views of Mont-Blanc and is only a few minutes walk from the shops, bars and restaurants in the centre of the town.
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Castor Chalet
Gorgeous ski-in/ski-out 4 bedroom chalet on the slopes in Les Houches
Price: โฌ5,700
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Simon's Mazot
This charming mazot is chic and comes with everything you could need for your stay, including a sauna. Refurbished to a high standard, itโs full of light, with large windows opening onto the terrace.
Price: โฌ1,316
Holidays Rentals in Les Houches
Les Houches offers a range of apartments for summer and winter, from 4-star to more basic accommodation. Take a look at our selection by clicking the link below.
Holiday Rentals in Les Houches
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Outa Apartment
This apartment is ideally located on Chamonixโs main street.
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Simon's Mazot
This charming mazot is chic and comes with everything you could need for your stay, including a sauna. Refurbished to a high standard, itโs full of light, with large windows opening onto the terrace.
Price: โฌ1,316
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Studio Le Genepy Apartment, Chamonix
A smart, modern studio situated in a historic 1903 building which has been lovingly converted into 10 modern apartments in the heart of Chamonix, close to all amenities and with disabled access, a rarity in Chamonix!
Price: โฌ669
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Le Hameau Des Neiges Apartment
Le Hameau des Neiges is a beautiful apartment for family of 4 with additional sleeping for up to 2 people located in the foothills of Les Houches, a quick 10 minute drive from the bars, restaurants and shops.
Price: โฌ663
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La Riviere Residence - 1 Bedroom Apartment
The Residence La Riviere with its wooden facades is located in the district of Chamonix Sud, 300 m from the Aiguille du Midi cable car and 5 minutes from the resort centre.
Price: โฌ569
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La Chaumiรจre Chalet
You will feel like youโre holidaying in your second home when you book this chalet located right next door to the hotel.
Price: โฌ2,450
Hotels in Les Houches
Choose from boutique-style chalet hotels, contemporary style interiors, or the more traditional Savoyard style.
Hotels in Les Houches
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La Ginabelle Premium Residence
La Ginabelle offers cosy, alpine-style apartments, just steps from shops, restaurants and mountain adventures.ย
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Le Whymper Hotel
Chalet Whymper blends alpine charm with modern comfort. With space for up to twenty-two guests, shared living areas and thoughtful extras like a sauna, concierge and daily housekeeping, itโs the perfect choice.
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Faucigny Hotel
Completely renovated in Scandinavian style, Le Faucigny is a charming small hotel in the town centre. Whether you're with family or friends or enjoying a romantic getaway, the hotel provides the ideal setting for a pleasant stay in the legendary Mont-Blanc valley.
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La Riviere Apartment Residence
Peaceful apartment residence just a short walk from the train station and cable car.
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Lyret Hotel
Hotel Lyret blends Alpine charm with modern creativity, offering a unique stay where art and hospitality come together.
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La Folie Douce Hotel
This hotel offers stunning alpine views, a vibrant atmosphere, and thoughtful amenities for families. Enjoy spacious rooms, an outdoor heated pool, yoga, spa treatments, and activities for all ages right at the foot of the ski slopes.
Price: โฌ1,956
How to get to Les Houches
Transfers for Chamonix
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Mont Blanc Transfers
This company provides private transfers in fully electric vehicles around the Chamonix valley, operating from airports and train stations to the ski resorts.
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Private and shared airport transfers
This company offers private and shared transfers from Geneva Airport to Chamonix, nearby areas, and resorts across the Alps. With great value fares on all journeys, itโs an easy way to save money.
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Private airport transfers
From the airport to the slopes, they handle the rest. Geneva's most trusted private ski transfers.
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Private and shared airport transfers
This company offers two great value shuttle services as well as a private service from Geneva and Lyon Airports to the Chamonix Valley. Established and efficient - you can rely on them.
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Private airport transfers
The Loyal Transfers team has been organising airport transfers to ski resorts around France since 2012. Their aim has always been to make independent travel to ski resorts cheaper and easier for everyone.
Property For Sale in Les Houches
Property for Sale in Les Houches
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Chalet for Sale, Les Houches
Chalet Bettey is a charming, authentic chalet sat in its own clearing amongst 30,000mยฒ of land in the forest at the top of Le Coupeau. It has the most stunning, south-facing views across the Valley towards the pistes of Bellevue and offers complete tranquility.
Price: โฌ1,450,000
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Apartment for Sale
T2 + cabin in Les Houches: surface area of โโ41.84m2 and terrace of 8.16m2.
Price: โฌ326,000
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Apartment for Sale, Les Houches
A brand-new development of 12 apartments just 250 metres from the Les Houches town square. The apartments will be finished off to the highest quality and will have large balconies or terraces to make the most of the wonderful mountain views.
Price: โฌ1,125,000
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Apartment for Sale
T3 duplex in Les Houches: surface area 73.07m2 + balcony 6.81m2.
Price: โฌ700,000
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Apartment for Sale
Set high on the hillside in Les Houches, Gens is a beautifully renovated 3-bedroom ground floor apartment offering direct access to a large terrace and tranquil private garden. Nestled in a quiet residential hamlet surrounded by nature, the property boasts stunning panoramic views and a true sense of calm - while still being just minutes from the centre of Les Houches.
Price: โฌ390,000
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Apartment for Sale, Les Houches
Superb 107.40mยฒ apartment, 3 bedrooms, a 25m2 terrace, located on the 2nd floor of the prestigious Le SOLELYร residence, just 30 meters from the ski slopes of Les Houches, Le Prarion.
Price: โฌ1,250,000