10 things to do in Chamonix

If you want the best the Alps have to offer, Chamonix is the place to be! As the birthplace of mountaineering and a pioneer of high mountain sports, Chamonix has everything you need for a dream holiday! A highly developed tourist offering and a host of activities are on offer in an idyllic setting!

1 – Take the Aiguille du Midi cable car to the top of the Alps

Category: Nature / Sensations – Price: €€€€

Board the famous Aiguille du Midi cable car for a vertiginous journey to an altitude of over 3,800 metres. Just 20 minutes separate you from the gates of the high mountain, facing the majestic Mont-Blanc. Up there, another world (once reserved for the initiated) awaits you. The 360° panorama is simply spectacular: sharp peaks, sparkling glaciers, and the famous “Pas dans le Vide” footbridge, where you can test your nerves in a glass cage suspended in the sky. An absolute must in Chamonix, to be experienced at least once in your life. Worth every penny

2Board the red Montenvers cogwheel train to reach the Mer de Glace.

Category : Culture / Nature – Price : €€

Climb aboard the iconic red Montenvers cogwheel train and let yourself be carried to the Mer de Glace, France’s largest glacier. This iconic excursion plunges you into a breathtaking high-mountain setting. On arrival, you’ll be greeted by a breathtaking view of the Drus and a view of a part of the valley you’ve yet to discover! Don’t miss the sculpted ice grotto, which plunges you into a bluish atmosphere, or the Glaciorium to discover the secrets of glaciers. It’s a journey between spectacular nature and Alpine heritage, perfect for families and history buffs alike.

3 Experience the thrills of the iconic pistes of Les Brévents and Argentière.

Category: Sports / Sensations – Price: €€€€

Chamonix is a skier’s paradise, and the Brévent and Argentière areas are among the most iconic. With their varied (but challenging) runs, stunning views of Mont Blanc and modern facilities, they offer an unrivalled skiing experience. Whether you’re a fan of challenging black runs or looking for more gentle, panoramic descents, these areas promise great sporting thrills, right where the adventure of skiing and the first Winter Olympics began!

4. first paragliding experience

Category: Adventure / Thrills – Price: €€ €€ €€ €€ €€ €€ €€ €€ €€ €€ €€ €€ €€

To discover Chamonix as you’ve never seen it before, there’s nothing like taking to the skies on a paragliding flight. Accompanied by a qualified instructor, you’ll take off gently for a magical flight over the valley. Between cliffs, glaciers, forests and villages, the view is sensational. Accessible to beginners, this experience is both peaceful and exhilarating, and offers a memory of your stay in the Alps that you won’t soon forget!

5. take in the sights as you hike to the marvellous Lac Blanc

Category: Nature / Hiking – Price: free or €.

If you’ve come in summer, don’t miss THE emblematic hike of the area and set off to conquer one of the natural gems of the massif: Lac Blanc. There are two options: a longer, more demanding version (around 5 hours and 1000m ascent) starting from Les Praz or the Col des Montets, or a more accessible version if you tackle it from the top of the Flégère chairlift. Either way, you’ll arrive in front of a crystal-clear high-altitude lake, nestled in a picture-postcard setting. On a clear day, the peaks of Mont Blanc are reflected in the water – a breathtaking natural spectacle. An ideal outing for lovers of nature, wide open spaces and photography.

6. lounging in the pools at the QC thermal baths under the starry sky

Category: Well-being / Relaxation – Price: €€ €€ €€ €€ €€ €€ €€ €€ €€ €€ €€ €€ €€

After an active day, there’s nothing like a moment of relaxation at the QC Thermes de Chamonix. Set in sublime surroundings overlooking the mountains, this wellness centre offers outdoor hot tubs, sensory trails, scented hammams and panoramic saunas. In the evening, the atmosphere becomes magical: the pools illuminated under the stars create a soothing, magical atmosphere. A moment of pure Alpine luxury.

7 – Try Europe’s most famous off-piste adventure down the Vallée Blanche

Category: Adventure / Sensations – Price: €€€

The Vallée Blanche is 20 kilometres of off-piste skiing in the heart of the glaciers, in a high mountain setting worthy of a film. This experience is for good skiers only, accompanied by a mountain guide. From the start at the Aiguille du Midi to the finish in the valley, every turn is an adventure. With crevasses, seracs and breathtaking views of the Mont-Blanc massif, this is THE mythical descent for freeride fans.

8.take part in a tasting of local wines, cheeses and charcuterie

Category: Culture / Gastronomy – Price: € (€)

If all this has whetted your appetite, why not discover the wealth of Savoyard flavours at a convivial tasting session right in the heart of Chamonix. On the menu: mature tomme, melting reblochon, smoked hams, artisanal sausages and local wines from Alpine hillsides. Supervised by local enthusiasts, this gourmet experience combines sharing, discovery and simple pleasures. It’s the perfect way to immerse yourself in the region’s traditions, while indulging in its gourmet specialities.

9 Discover the valley on an electric mountain bike

Category: Nature / Sport – Price : €€

Want to explore the treasures of the valley in a different way? Then opt for an electric mountain bike! Electric assistance has democratised this sport, normally reserved for the more athletic among us. Climbs become almost pleasant, and you can cover impressive distances without too much effort. Riding down forest paths and discovering panoramic viewpoints is a fun, environmentally-friendly and dynamic way to discover Chamonix and the surrounding area.

10 – Eat a fondue in the heart of nature facing Mont Blanc

Category : Gastronomy / Nature / Unusual – Price : €€

It’s hard not to melt (no pun intended) at the sight of this unusual culinary experience: an open-air Savoyard fondue, with a view of Mont Blanc! Comfortably installed in the heart of nature, you can enjoy a cheese fondue in a warm, authentic atmosphere. In winter, the adventure begins with a snowshoe walk in the powder snow before warming up by the fire. In summer, the night-time hike under the fir trees is just as exhilarating! An original and delicious activity, perfect for a moment with friends or family. The mountains on your plate… and in front of your eyes.