Le Tour and Vallorcine, Chamonix Valley
Le Tour is a small, quaint little village at the far end of the Chamonix valley in the 'Domaine de la Balme' area with access to some great hiking and mountain bike trails.
Aiguilles Rouges Nature Reserve walk
An easy stroll amongst mountain flowers with spectacular views
A suitable walk for families with children of walking age.
An easy stroll amongst mountain flowers with spectacular views
Starting Point: Chalet d'Accueil (Information Centre) de la Réserve Naturelle des Aiguilles Rouges
Duration: 45 minutes (1h45 mins from Le Buet)
The first section of this description includes a pleasant walk from the train station at Le Buet which takes around 30 minutes each way. This part is optional though, as the Reserve Naturelle does have a small car park; but taking the train is more eco-friendly and is a great way to see the valley!
If taking the train you should alight at Le Buet and turn right as soon as you leave the station, following the sign for Col des Montets. Shortly after setting off along a tarmac path you will come to a tunnel under a small bridge and a signpost giving you the option of carrying on to Les Montets or turning right to Col des Montets; you should turn right and pass under the bridge. From here the walk follows an easy flat path through woodland, alongside a stream and finally through wildflower meadows.
Approximately 25 minutes later you will come to a signpost that offers two options of getting to Col de Montets; each route takes five minutes and both bring you to the information centre of the Aiguille Rouge, so you can take either.
Once at the information centre you can pick up a free booklet which features a very small and not very detailed map – if you are planning on starting a long hike from this point we would definitely recommend that you bring your own map of the area. However, the nature trail is very easy to follow and the route is marked by numbered granite blocks. The whole circuit takes no more than 45 minutes at a leisurely stroll and you can spin it out by relaxing by one of the lakes or stopping to admire the fantastic scenery.
The path leaves from just outside the information centre and goes as far as the car park; at this point you cross over the road and continue back along the other side. The range of wildflowers and alpine plants on display is beautiful and many of them are labelled so you can look them up when you get home. Despite being fairly near the road the large rocks and long grasses buffer any traffic noise quite well and it is a very tranquil place to pass a couple of hours.
The Col des Montets cuts through a very narrow part of the Chamonix valley and the soaring mountains to either side make for an extremely impressive view.
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What to bring
IGN3630 map is recommended
What to see
Sights in Chamonix
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Maison de Barberine museum
Situated in an 18th century house, the Barberine museum is dedicated to showing pastoral life of the Vallorcine people in the valley since the 18th century.
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Aiguille Rouge Nature Reserve
The Aiguilles Rouges Nature Reserve was created in 1974 and is a bio-diverse area of around 16,000 hectares with spectacular views of the Col des Montets. There is an information centre where you can find out about the animals and plants of the area and buy a drink or snack.
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Les Grands Montets, Chamonix - Argentière
The Plan Joran télécabine takes you up to Grands Montets at an altitude of 1,972 metres.
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VerticAlp funiculars and train
At the edge of the Franco-Swiss border lies the 'VerticAlp' experience, which is made up of a steep funicular, a panoramic train and a smaller funicular taking you up to the Emosson Dam.
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La Flégère, Chamonix - Le Praz
In summer the cable car at Flégère and the Index chairlift operate, taking you up to an altitude of 1,894m and then on to 2,396m at the top of the Index.
Where to lunch
The visitor centre at the Reserve Naturelle des Aiguille Rouges has a little cafe serving drinks and snacks but nothing more substantial. Hotel du Buet opposite the train station serves food and drinks and has a lovely sunny terrace. Our advice would be to take a picnic though, as there are so many lovely places to sit and enjoy it.
Restaurants in Chamonix
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La Piazza Restaurant
Italian restaurant next to the Savoy nursery ski area with an outdoor terrace and fantastic views.
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Stories & Beer
Stories is a local craft beer bar and taco restaurant in Chamonix. Enjoy a slice of Mexico in France.
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La Petite Cuisine Restaurant
Situated in La Folie Douce Hotel, enjoy a delicious meal after a morning on the slopes with family or friends.
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Bighorn Bistro Restaurant
Bighorn Bistro in Chamonix Sud is known for its homemade American-style comfort food, from stacked burgers to freshly baked desserts. You can pair your meal with a craft beer or one of their creative cocktails. With friendly service and a laid-back atmosphere, it’s a favourite with both locals and visitors.
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The Dainty Pizza Restaurant
Great quality ingredients lovingly prepared.
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Pointe Isabelle Bar and Bistro Restaurant
This tastefully refurbished restaurant and bar are right in the heart of Chamonix on the popular Avenue Michel Croz, close to the train station.
What to do
Things To Do in Chamonix
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Cross Country Tandem Paraglide
Enjoy a longer flight than the usual tandem paraglide and experience an amazing trip above the mountains to give you an incredible feeling of flying like an eagle.
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Cinema VOX
Chamonix's own Cinema VOX is situated right in the centre of town, slightly tucked back on the Place Balmat (main square in the centre). There are three recently refurbished screens equipped with digital 3D projectors show the latest French and International films, as well as a number of premieres and specialist mountain-sports films.
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Photoshoot of You & Your Pet
Here’s an opportunity to let a professional photographer capture the true bond between a man and his dog... cat, or otherwise!
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Guided Snowshoeing
Off-piste snowshoe outings where you can discover the charm and serenity of the Chamonix Valley on foot.
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3-Day Mont Blanc Traverse by Tacul & Maudit Summits
Mont Blanc, the highest peak in Europe, is without a doubt the most breathtaking and beautiful mountain in the world, and every year many mountaineers ascend this famous peak.
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Tandem Paragliding
This company's sole activity is tandem paragliding, so they are 100 % focused on you and your flight. Their fully qualified pilots have vast experience and have done 1,000s of flight in the Chamonix Valley.
