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.
It is made up of a number of different hamlets, with oratories, pretty chapels, old bread ovens and farms bearing witness to its long history. It lies about 6km from the centre of Chamonix and sits at 1,000m elevation. From the top of its ski lifts, you can get spectacular views of Mont Blanc and the Dome de Gouter.
Chef Lieu is the centre of Les Houches, with the Mairie, tourist information office, an ice rink, indoor climbing wall, mountain museum, post office and library. Vaudagne is one of the older hamlets in Les Houches with accommodation spread out over the Vaudagne hill, which is a popular spot for road cyclists. It's also home to local artist Martial Bourlot and a husky dog centre. Coupeau hamlet sits across the valley on the other side of L'Arve river, and this is where you'll find the Merlet Animal Park, the adventure park and the statue of Christ Roi (Christ the King).
Sights & Attractions in Les Houches
Sights in Les Houches
See all Sights & Sites-
Parc de Merlet
Located in Les Houches
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.
-
Montagnard museum
Located in Les Houches
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.
-
Les Houches summer lifts
Located in Les Houches
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.
Dining in Les Houches
Restaurants in Les Houches
See all Restaurants-
Kitsch Inn Bar and Restaurant
Located in Les Houches
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.
-
Rocky Pop Restaurant
Located in Les Houches
This restaurant is part of the popular Rocky Pop Hotel, opened in December 2016, whose ethos is "joy and togetherness".
-
Le Saint Antoine Pizzeria Restaurant
Located in Les Houches
Cosy interior and a beautiful sunny terrace with views overlooking Mont Blanc and the Aiguille du Midi.
-
Les Vieilles Luges Restaurant
Located in Les Houches
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.
-
Le Basilic Restaurant
Located in Les Houches
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.
-
Gandhi Restaurant
Located in Les Houches
This restaurant serves tasty, good value Indian cuisine for lunch, dinner and to takeaway.
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
See all Activities & Trips-
Teresa Kaufman Adaptive Sensory Walks in Chamonix
Located in Les Houches
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.
-
Teresa Kaufman Discovery Walks & Mini-Photoshoot
Located in Les Houches
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.
-
Teresa Kaufman Chamonix Valley Vortex Walk
Located in Les Houches
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.
-
Mont-Blanc Forest
Located in Les Houches
Zip wires, rope bridges and tree top courses in the woods in Les Houches.
-
Centre Equestre Du Mont-Blanc
Located in Les Houches
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.
-
Parc de Merlet
Located in Les Houches
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.
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
See all Bars & Clubs-
Kitsch Inn Bar and Restaurant
Located in Les Houches
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.
-
Rocky Pop Bar
Located in Les Houches
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.
-
Le Spot
Located in Les Houches
Found at the bottom of the Bellevue cable car, Le Spot is perfectly located for for lunch or an après-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
See all Chalets-
Brigitte's Mazot Chalet
Located in Chamonix
Brigitte's Mazot in Chamonix is a cosy, peaceful, little chalet, with a stunning view of Mont Blanc.
Price: €1,060
-
Heidi Chalet
Located in Chamonix
Chalet Heidi is a traditional chalet located in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, just a few minutes walk from the restaurants, bars and shops in the town centre.
Price: €2,629
-
Valhalla Chalet
Located in Chamonix
Valhalla is a fabulous luxury chalet, very central, with a hot tub and sauna in the garden. Open and light, it has floor to ceiling windows giving you Titanic views of Mont Blanc and all bedrooms have ensuite bathrooms. We welcome up to 12 guests in 6 bedrooms, for a supplement we can offer 8 bedrooms for up to 15 guests. In winter, continental breakfast & daily housekeeping is included.
Price: €7,684
-
Scandinave Chalet
Located in Chamonix
Chalet Scandinave, sleeping up to six adults and three children, is ideally located near the Flégère ski lift and Chamonix’s golf course. In good snow conditions, you can ski all the way back to the chalet!
-
La Chaumière Chalet
Located in Chamonix
You will feel like you’re holidaying in your second home when you book this chalet located right next door to the hotel.
Price: €2,450
-
Para Chalet, Chamonix - Les Pelerins
Located in Chamonix
Charming fully renovated three bedroom chalet in town.
Price: €2,600
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
See all Holiday Rentals-
Chamois Blanc Residence - 1 Bedroom Apartment
Located in Chamonix
500m from the resort centre, Residence Le Chamois Blanc is located in the Chamonix-Sud quarter, close to a large number of shops under arcades, and the pedestrian walkway.
Price: €479
-
Altura Chalet
Located in Les Houches
This chalet is ideally located close to Chamonix in a quiet setting, with beautiful mountain views. Just a ten-minute drive from the nearest ski lift, it’s perfect for families or groups of friends.
Price: €4,368
-
Petra Apartment, Chamonix - Hameaux
Located in Chamonix
Apartment on the 4th floor with elevator, in the residence "Champraz" located in Praz de Chamonix. The bus stop for the free shuttle is only 200 meters away from the apartment. This will facilitate your access to the slopes and the center of Chamonix.
Price: €700
-
Rass Chalet
Located in Chamonix
Sublime five bedroom chalet fully equipped with games room. Situated in one of the most exclusive areas in the valley with 360 views, this is a really lovely example of a prestige, fully equipped luxury chalet.
Price: €2,800
-
La Ginabelle Premium
Located in Chamonix
Located at the heart of Chamonix, the “La Ginabelle” residence proposes spacious apartments with an excellent standard of facilities and services. Ideally located for easy access to the finest tourist sites: the little Montenvers train will take you to the “Mer de Glace” while the “Aiguille du Midi” cable car will carry you up to magnificent summits.
-
La Riviere Residence - 1 Bedroom Apartment
Located in Chamonix
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: €773
Hotels in Les Houches
Choose from boutique-style chalet hotels, contemporary style interiors, or the more traditional Savoyard style.
Hotels in Les Houches
See all Hotels-
La Folie Douce Hotel
Located in Chamonix
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: €2,280
-
Le Whymper Hotel
Located in Chamonix
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, it’s the perfect choice.
-
Faucigny Hotel
Located in Chamonix
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.
-
Lyret Hotel
Located in Chamonix
Hotel Lyret blends Alpine charm with modern creativity, offering a unique stay where art and hospitality come together.
Price: €1,738
-
La Ginabelle Premium Residence
Located in Chamonix
La Ginabelle offers cosy, alpine-style apartments, just steps from shops, restaurants and mountain adventures.
-
La Riviere Apartment Residence
Located in Chamonix
Peaceful apartment residence just a short walk from the train station and cable car.