Mer de Glace and Montenvers cog railway
No trip to Chamonix should be complete without a visit to the legendary Mer de Glace, the longest and arguably the most impressive glacier in the Chamonix valley. It is also the largest glacier in France.
Chalet Buvette de Caillet
A half-day hike towards Montenvers that begins and ends in Chamonix centre
When the weather is beautiful here in Chamonix it seems a shame to not go out and explore the surrounding mountains. This is a great half-day hike that sees you leave the town and head up towards Montenvers through the forest.
The forest is lush with thick green foliage and masses of wild flowers throughout the summer months, wafting fresh invigorating scents into the air. In the spring months this area is announced as “out of bounds” by the Compagnie du Mont Blanc for being still at risk of snow slides and rockfalls; it's amazing what a difference a couple of weeks of sunshine can make though and by the start of summer the paths are all clear and perfectly passable.
On your return towards Les Planards ski area don’t panic if you hear screaming, it’ll most likely be coming from the toboggan ride that loops around the meadow - in the summer the ski area is transformed into a fun park. There is also a restaurant with a big sunny terrace if you fancy rewarding yourself with an ice cream on the way home.
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What to bring
Although well sign posted this walk can be found on the Chamonix - Mont Blanc Massif map IGN3630OT.
What to see
Sights in Chamonix
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Municipal library
The main central library for Chamonix which houses the occasional exhibition and lectures.
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Alpine Museum
The museum is currently closed for renovations
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Maison de la Memoire et du Patrimoine, Chamonix- Centre
This museum houses exhibits of Chamonix's past.
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Espace Tairraz Crystal Museum
Discover the minerals from the Mont Blanc Valley, famous throughout the world, and learn more about the art of mountaineering.
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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
Caillet also has a refreshment point in the shape of a pretty wooden chalet perched precariously on the edge of the mountain, the terrace looming out over a steep precipice. It’s worth taking your life in your hands for the view though, and they do a decent slice of fruit tart as well.
If you carry on up the path towards the Buvette des Mottets you can find a nice selection of refreshments in the picturesque little mountain hut.
Restaurants in Chamonix
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La Fruitière Restaurant
This elegant restaurant is situated in La Folie Douce Hotel.
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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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Le Mayen Restaurant
Situated in La Folie Douce Hotel, it's the perfect place for traditional alpine cuisine with a modern twist.
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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.
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The Dainty Pizza Restaurant
Great quality ingredients lovingly prepared.
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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.
What to do
Things To Do in Chamonix
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Teresa Kaufman Walks for Women
A spoonful of curiosity, a pinch of empowerment – and you’ve got the recipe for a great afternoon. Join these outings exclusively for groups of women, led by local mountain climber, tour guide and photographer Teresa Kaufman.
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Teresa Kaufman Chamonix Photoshoots
The Chamonix-based photographer Teresa Kaufman proposes naturally-lit photoshoots to capture and illustrate quality memories in outstanding surroundings.
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Vallee Blanche Off-Piste Ski Guiding
Trust this local team of High Mountain Guides (UIAGM), Ski and Snowboard Instructors, all of whom have the highest level of state qualifications.
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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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Guided Snowshoeing
Off-piste snowshoe outings where you can discover the charm and serenity of the Chamonix Valley on foot.
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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.
Directions
Setting off from the centre of Chamonix simply follow the river east (direction Argentière) alongside the sports centre, past the tennis courts and through the Bois du Bouchet. Follow the trail to the road and take the underpass that pops out beside the Hotel Arveyron, keep left of the river until you come to the wide open area known as the “Desert Blanc”. If all you want is a short ramble with fantastic scenery then this area is perfect with dense forest on either side, towering peaks in every direction and a glacial river roaring straight through the middle - if you’re lucky you might also get to see the mountain rescue patrol taking off from the helipad. At the far end you’ll come to the biathlon shooting range, take the bridge to the right and carry on round to the right on the other side.
You’ll soon come to a hiking sign showing the way to Caillet, Rochers des Mottets and Montenvers Mer de Glace. Follow the path up into the cool scented pine forest that winds up surprisingly quickly above the valley. It’s not massively steep but it is fairly relentless, with barely any flat sections, so it’s not long at all before you’re looking down on aerial views of Chamonix and across to a sweeping panorama of the Brévent-Flégère side of the valley.
The higher you climb, the less dense the forest becomes, affording wonderful views of the valley and the snowcapped peaks beyond. After about an hour of climbing the footpath will cross a 4x4 track where you can choose to turn right to Chamonix, straight on to Caillet or left to Montenvers via the Mottets buvette - a charming little mountain shack serving refreshments beside a stream.
From here you can either continue on up to Montenvers, from where you can take the train back down to the valley, or follow the trail back down to Chamonix. Steep in places and littered with rocks, you may find hiking poles useful here, but there’s nothing too technical to worry about and it is a popular trail running route with lots of nice little twists and turns along the way.
After crossing the railway track you continue on the marked route back down to Chamonix where the path eventually spits you out onto what is a ski piste in the winter at Les Planards.
