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.
Chalets de Charousse
An easy hike to a charming little cluster of alpine chalets surrounded by a forest
This hike is more of a gentle stroll to a picturesque alpine meadow full of flowers and rustic wooden chalets.
Starting at the base station of the Prarion gondola, cross the roundabout and walk up Route des Chavants through a quiet residential area dotted with beautiful chalets. Turn left onto Route des S’Nailles and cut through to Route des Chavants; turn right when you reach the road and look out for your next little shortcut on the left called Chemin de la Ravan Liré. As well as providing a handy shortcut, these little paths take you off the main road and onto quirky little passage ways amongst charming old chalets and pretty gardens.
Turn left at the end of Chemin de la Ravan Liré and make a sharp right at the next junction onto Route de la Coté des Chavants. Follow this road all the way up until you branch off left onto Chemin de Charousse; a track which takes you into the forest until you reach the clearing of the same name.
Charousse is an idyllic little spot that feels lost in time; twelve old chalets made of stone and larchwood nestle together in a field of swaying lupins. Little streams trickle through a meadow of long grass and wild flowers and a river skirts along one side of the clearing.
The chalets are no longer inhabited, although some of them may still be used as holiday homes. They are authentic alpine huts, fascinating to look around and peer into. The clearing is surrounded by forests of beech and pine trees; it is beautiful all year round and is a lovely snowshoe route in winter. June is the best time of year to see the blue and purple lupins in full bloom.
From Charousse you have views of the Mont Blanc Massif on one side and the towering limestone crags of the Fiz on the other. You can return the way you came or extend your hike by following signposts up to Forclaz and Prarion, taking the gondola back down.
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What to bring
There are no facilities at all at Charousse, so bring your own food and drinks. It's an easy hike with no map required, all you need is suitable clothing for the weather.
What to see
Traditional alpine architecture, beautiful flowers and stunning views.
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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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.
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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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Tramway du Mont-Blanc
The Tramway du Mont Blanc runs from the bottom of the valley in Le Fayet all the way up to the Nid d'Aigle at 2,380m above Les Houches.
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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.
Where to lunch
There are no cafés or dining facilities at Charousse, but it's a lovely spot for a picnic if you wish to pick something up at one of the many bakeries 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 Hors Pistes Restaurant
Brilliantly located in the heart of the Les Houches Prarion ski area.
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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 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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Gandhi Restaurant
This restaurant serves tasty, good value Indian cuisine for lunch, dinner and to takeaway.
What to do
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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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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Mont-Blanc Forest
Zip wires, rope bridges and tree top courses in the woods in Les Houches.
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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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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
This hike starts from the bottom of the Prarion gondola, which is at the far end of Les Houches. There is a regular bus service that takes you directly there.
