Visit Chamonix

You’re just steps away from the National School of Skiing and Mountaineering — or ENSA, as the locals call it. This truly is a national school because, in France, becoming a high mountain guide means earning a state diploma. Wondering what Read more

Let’s take a moment to talk about the small Saint-Michel church, right here on the square. It’s a listed historic monument, and it was built in a style known as Savoyard Baroque. That’s a form of art and architecture that developed in the former Read more

In Chamonix, the names of local heroes are everywhere—even on the street signs. You’ve just walked along Rue du Docteur Paccard, named after the pioneering climber who made the first ascent of Mont Blanc. And now, you’re facing Avenue Read more

If you continue straight down this street for about 200 meters, you'll reach Place de l'Aiguille du Midi, the departure point of the famous cable car. You've been seeing its antenna since you arrived in Chamonix – now it's high time to go see it Read more

As you walk down this street, you're passing alongside a building well-known to mountain enthusiasts and which is, so to speak, part of the scenery. This is the UCPA Chamonix, where generations of young adventurers have come to satisfy their Read more

I’d like to draw your attention to the name of this big restaurant on the corner: "Le Monchu." At the risk of disappointing you, this name doesn't refer to a good Savoyard dish or an old tradition. For mountain people, "Monchus" are a bit like Read more

Right in the middle of the square, you can’t miss the Chamonix casino. The story of “gaming circles” here goes back to the 19th century, a time when gambling wasn’t exactly legal yet. In France, games of chance were actually banned at first. It Read more

Here stands the most iconic statue in downtown Chamonix. This famous bronze sculpture shows two explorers pointing towards the Mont Blanc. But do you actually know who they are? Many people think these are the first two men to climb Read more

Eventhough he wasn't standing beside Balmat looking toward Mont Blanc, the town simply couldn't fail to honor Doctor Paccard! Michel-Gabriel Paccard was born in 1757 in Chamonix, then part of the Duchy of Savoy in the Kingdom of Read more

You're walking along Rue des Moulins – Mill Street – whose history is closely tied to the Arve, the powerful river that flows through Chamonix. As you may imagine, mountain villages learned very early how to harness the power of water Read more

Here on Place du Mont-Blanc, facing the Alpine Museum, I'd like to tell you about a major event in Chamonix's history: the very first Winter Olympic Games. That's right – more than 100 years ago, in 1924, this town hosted the very first Read more

This war memorial, solemnly placed on Place du Poilu, honors the Chamonix residents who died for France. Inaugurated in 1921 for soldiers lost during World War I, it now also commemorates those from World War II and the War of Algeria. Read more

You might wonder: what’s an Anglican church doing in the middle of Chamonix? With its pointed slate roof and typically English style, it definitely stands out. But actually, it’s not that surprising. Most people know the British community is Read more

If you’ve taken the rack railway, you're now standing in front of one of the most iconic sights in the Mont Blanc massif: the Mer de Glace. Even though the glacier has dramatically retreated, the view is still absolutely breathtaking. In this Read more

You are back on Place du Mont-Blanc, facing the massif. A majestic setting... but one that also reminds us, at times, of the mountain’s darker side. Allow me to tell you about two tragedies that deeply marked the valley — Read more

The metal walkway you see on your right takes you straight to Montenvers station. That’s where the bright red, traditional rack railway departs — heading all the way up to the Mer de Glace at 1,913 meters! Over a 5-kilometer route, it climbs Read more

Take a look at the charming trompe-l’œil mural on the back of the building—it shows a film crew in action, and it’s a fun reminder that Chamonix doesn’t just have a cinema… the town has also made its mark on the big screen! The Vox cinema Read more

Take a moment here to look more closely at the trompe-l'oeil facade that covers the entire side of the building. This 180-square-meter mural, created in 2010 by street artist "A-Fresco," pays tribute to those who shaped the history of Read more

You’re now standing in front of the Maison de la Montagne—an iconic building in Chamonix that brings together everything related to mountain activities. If it looks old to you, and surprisingly close to the church, that’s no accident. This used Read more