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.
Aiguillette des Houches from Les Houches
A full day hike taking in some of the best views of the Mont Blanc Massif
Starting and finishing at the animal park in Merlet this full day walk takes in the summit of the Aiguillette des Houches, Refuge Bellachat and offers a magnificent panorama of the Mont Blanc Massif.
A beautiful loop walk with blueberry bushes along the way and stunning flora that changes colour year-round, making it a beautiful hike from spring through to autumn.
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What to bring
Take all the required equipment for a long day in the mountains. This walk can be found on the Chamonix - Mont Blanc Massif map IGN3630OT.
What to see
Views extend beyond Chamonix into neighbouring valleys as you hike along the high ridge, looking across gives you a panoramic view of the Massif du Mont Blanc and the glaciers.
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 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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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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Le Brévent, Chamonix - Town
Brévent is the closest summer lift to the centre of Chamonix and its impressive rocky summit rises to 2,525m above sea level.
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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
Taking a packed lunch and enough water for the day is advised. The Bellachat Refuge is open during the summer months offering refreshments and, if needed, a bed to rest if the weather takes a turn for the worse.
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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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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La Ferme des Agapes
This restaurant is located right in front of the Bellevue cable car in Les Houches.
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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 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.
What to do
Leave time to visit the Parc Merlet. Many alpine animals are shy creatures, but here you can see them close up and in their natural habitat.
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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Centre Equestre Du Mont-Blanc
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.
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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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Mont-Blanc Forest
Zip wires, rope bridges and tree top courses in the woods in 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.
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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.
Directions
Leaving the car park at Merlet animal park follow directions to the Refuge Bellachat taking in the views of the Mont Blanc Massif. A few metres past the Refuge you will see a cairn with a "Aiguilles Rouges Nature Reserve" sign, here you turn left and head in the direction of the Aiguillette des Houches, the obvious high point. From here you get a 360 degree view of the Mont Blanc massif, the Aiguille Rouge and the Fiz.
Leaving the summit in the direction of Les Houches you will first come to some Rhodos in Pierre Blanche 1,679m. At this intersection turn left towards Le Plan de la Cry. Shortly before the Chalets de Plan le Cry go up the wide path to your left, rising just under 100m in elevation you will take the path that leads off to to your right (1,782m) and head back down to the car park at Merlet.
