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Chamonix is a fascinating traditional resort with a
bustling atmosphere and is excellent for activities
of all kinds. The picturesque town of Chamonix offers
a good range of attractions, over 100 shops, bars and
restaurants, a casino, as well as an Olympic ice
rink, a sports complex with swimming pool, water
slides & fitness centre (saunas, Turkish baths,
solarium), 19 tennis courts, climbing wall, a
bowling, 3 cinemas.
Describing all the activities that are available in
Chamonix area would be long but with more than 46
different sports activities you will be spoilt for
choice. There is even an incredibly scenic 18-hole
golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones senior.
With 350km of signposted walking area and many lifts
operating throughout the summer the choice for hiking
and rambling is endless. Sunday is market day in
Chamonix.
The Multipass Mont-Blanc chip card is the best way to
enjoy many of the world-renowned facilities in the
Chamonix Valley. It gives you free access to
all the Compagnie du Mont-Blanc facilities and will
save you valuable time by avoiding ticket
queues. Facilities include the Aiguille du Midi
(inc. booking fee), Montenvers train to the Sea of
Ice, Mont-Blanc Tramway, Brevent, Flegere &
Grands Montets cable cars, Planards & Le Tour
lifts. You will also get 5% off at the
restaurants and shops of the Compagnie du Mont-Blanc
plus discounts on the summer luge and Chamonix
tourist train. Pre-book with Peak
Retreats. Prices from £36 per adult,
£29 per child and £99 per family of 4 for
1 day. Consecutive and non-consecutive passes
available.
Click here for full prices
Places of interest in Chamonix Valley
·
Europe's highest cable car in Chamonix will take you
to the fascinating Aiguille du Midi. The views from
Europe’s highest cable car station (3842m) are
literally breathtaking. It is the closest you can get
to the Mont-Blanc without climbing training!
Click here to watch a mini-film of Chamonix’s
Aiguille du Midi. From there you can walk back to
the famous ‘Mer de Glace’ with ease and
catch Montenvers train back to town.
·
The Montenvers romantic red train journey to the
famous ‘Mer de Glace’ or ‘Sea of
Ice’ is also captivating. Discover what a real
glacier is: 7km long, 40 sq km in area, 200 metres
thick. Also available on site is a crystal gallery, a
wildlife exhibition and the famous ice grotto.
·
Argentières’s cable car to Les Grands
Montets glacier also offers the starting point for
superb walking itineraries. Reach Italy by cable car
with the Helbronner cable car, which flies over the
glaciers for more than 5km from the Aiguille du Midi.
The Mont-Blanc tramway is the highest rack &
pinion train in France and takes you from
Saint-Gervais to the Eagle’s Nest (‘Nid
d’Aigle’) at 2372m.
Click here
for Chamonix Valley cable car opening dates
Children
·
Several kids and adventure clubs for 6 to 13 yrs old
·
Animal parks, husky breeding centre, pony rides
·
Miniature Golf, Skate park
·
Leisure park with summer toboggans, trampolines,
electric motorbike track, playground
·
Climbing school
Cham’Aventure
Tel: +33 (0) 4 50 53
00 88 – Fax: +33 (0) 4 50 53 48 04
Cham’Kid (8-12
year olds) & Cham’Ado (13-17 year
olds)
Daily & weekly
programmes (rock climbing, hiking, orienteering,
canyoning, mountain biking….) supervised by
local professionals.
Cham’Kid
– c €55 per day, c €230 for the
week
Cham’ Ado
– c €72 per day, c €140 for the
week]
http://www.chamonix-guides.com/
Evolution 2
Adventure School
Tel: +33 (0) 4 50 55
93 03 – Fax: +33 (0) 4 50 55 91 33
Junior
multi-activities: mountain bike outings, rock
climbing, rafting, donkey hikes, adventure courses
(transport included)
5 x ½ days
– c €159
5 day multi-activity
course: horse riding in the mornings, various
activities in the afternoon (meals & transport
included) – c €350
Richard Bozon Sports Centre
+33 (0)4 50 53 09 07 – 2 +33 (0)4 50 53 71 70
214, av. de la Plage. e-mail:
sports@chamonix-mont-blanc.fr
Prices and timetables subject to change.
Swimming Pool, Sauna, Steam Room
Every day, July/August: 10am to 7pm. only the indoor
swimming
pool and park are open (outdoor pool closed for
work). TENNIS AND SQUASH ) +33 (0)4 50 53 28 40 19
courts (hard or clay) including 4 indoor, 3 squash
courts. Tennis prices (2 people): € 15.50 /h
(hard and indoor), € 18 /h (clay). Squash prices
(2 people): € 8 /45 min.
• Chamonix, open every day July/August: 8am to
8pm
(June 9 am to 8pm; September 9 am to 12.15 then 2pm
to 7.15pm).
• Argentière, les Iles ) +33 (0)4 50 54
09 59
Open every day from June to September: from 10 to
12.15pm and from 4pm to 9.15pm. Skating rink ) +33
(0)4 50 53 12 36
Open every day from 2pm to 5pm, Night sessions every
Wednesday from 9pm to 11pm. Hire of skates: €
3.30. Child entrance: € 3.50, adult: €
4.60.
Weight training rom and keep -fit ) +33 (0)4 50 53 23
70 Self or supervised training. Weekly fitness
lessons. Climbing wall +33 (0)4 50 53 09 07
Open every day July/August from 10am to 7pm. 180 Sq.
m and 800 holds. Entry: € 4.
http://sports.chamonix.com
Compagnie des
Guides de Chamonix Mont-Blanc
Tel: +33 (0) 4 50 53
00 88 – Fax: +33 (0) 4 50 53 48 04
Climbing
school for 6-12 year olds every day (morning
and afternoon) at the Gaillands site: 3 hour session.
Junior orienteering course: 5 days, from initiation
to advanced levels.
Ecole
d’Escalade Summits
Tel: +33 (0) 4 50 54
05 11 – Fax: +33 (0) 4 50 54 00 81
For 7 – 12
years - €40
MJC
Tel: +33 (0) 4 50 53 12 24 – Fax +33 (0) 4 50
53 44 41
Leisure centre open July & August.
Children’s groups aged 3-14. 3 centres
depending on age group: Argentière, Chamonix
centre, Les Pèlerins. Themed weeks
(environment, aquatic, circus, etc.). Week-long
camps.
mjcchamo@cyberaccess.fr
Parc de Loisirs de Chamonix - +33 (0)4 50 53 08 97
www.planards.com – planards@wanadoo.fr
Open from April to October. Every day in July and
August from 10am to 7.30pm. Summer toboggan: 2
slides, each 910 m long.
Tree acrobatics: 70 activities in the trees (Tyrolean
traverses, Tarzan rope swings, etc.). Small
children’s route, from 3 years. Trampolines,
tractor
game, electric motorbikes for 3-12 year olds. 3 new
activities, for thrilling experiences: Nautic Jet,
Sky Dive and Loopi, from 7 years upwards. Free play
area. Bar-restaurant. Free entry. Paying activities
from € 1.50 to € 23 depending on activity.
Amenities in Chamonix
Taxis, doctors, pharmacy, dentist, bank, alpine
museum, library, ice garden, ice grotto, bowling
Eating Out and Entertainment in Chamonix
Chamonix hosts a wide
selection of typical cafes and tempting pastry shops
along with 18 bars, 80 restaurants, 100 shops and 7
discotheques. The world famous casino in the centre
of town will tempt the gambler in you with black
jack, roulette and slot machines of the purest
tradition. The Vox cinema delights moviegoers
with all the latest films.
Chamonix activities highlights and contacts
Mountaineering, hiking, climbing, mountain biking,
paragliding, and lots more. Chamonix’s
reputation in terms of outdoor pursuits is
far-reaching.
Chamonix is also an exceptional nature park to
discover and enjoy: the summit of Mont-Blanc, the
Aiguille du Midi, and the Mer de Glace glacier.
The chair lifts and footpaths take you to admire one
of the most famous landscapes in the Alps. Discover,
too, a rich and protected animal and plant wildlife.
(Aiguilles Rouges Nature Reserve).
Montenvers-mer de Glace
The Montenvers rack railway climbing up the Mer de
Glace (1913m) is one of the highest trains in the
Alps, with a never ending view of the Mer de Glace,
Les Drus, La Verte & Les Grands Jorasses.
Discover the ice garden, ice grotto, crystal garden
and alpine fauna museum
Tramway du Mont-Blanc
Here is where you find the higest rack and pinion
train in France! Leaving from Le Fayet/Saint Gervais
and terminating its voyage at Nid d’Aigle
(2372m), the starting point for ascent of Mont-Blanc
at the foot of the Bionnassay glacier under the
Aigulle du Gouter.
Walking – Gradually make your way up the
footpaths, from the valley floor to the higher
altitudes. Explore a number of trails including
the Chalet du Cerro, the Cascade du Dard, the Chalet
de la Floria. For a full list of routes and
maps please visit the tourist office.
'Mont Blanc Walks' from Guide publisher Cicerone
is worth acquiring
visit
www.cicerone.co.uk
Alternatively use the lift systems in the valley to
take you to the doorway of the high altitude
mountains, where a number of activities including
hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing and
paragliding are all at your disposal.
The Chamonix valley offers endless hiking
opportunities. Almost 350 kilometres of middle
mountain paths (the largest network in the Haute
Savoie) enable you to discover the mountain at all
altitudes: from easy family walks to longer and more
technical routes, through the forest, on small or
large balconies, or glacier approaches. Some examples
that lead to refreshment chalets are given on page
25, you can find some hiking itineraries that start
from the chair lifts. You can also buy the route map
(€ 4) or the guide + map (€ 12.50) from the
tourist office.
Feel free to walk your dog along many of the paths
throughout the valley (information at the Tourist
Office), however, even on a lead, dogs are not
permitted in the Nature Reserves. Dogs are accepted
on the lifts and in the trains with the exception of
the Aiguille du Midi cable car. For complete freedom,
the Tourist Information Office offers a dog-guarding
service (either “dog-sitters” or
kennels): Further information and listings from
the reception in the Tourist Information Office.
The Aigulle du Midi – the highest and
most impressible aigulle in Chamonix offers you an
exceptional view of the entire Mont-Blanc massive and
the Chamonix Valley.
Brevent – South facing and directly
above Chamonix, this domain offers an exceptional
view of Mont-Blanc and its chain of mountains.
Flegere – South facing in full sun, the
panorama embraces the Mont-Blanc massive with a
beautiful view of the Mer de Glace & Aigulles de
Chamonix.
Grands Montets - In Argentiere, 2 stages
by cable-car serving Lognan (1900m) and the Grand
Montets Aigulle (3300m)
Le Tour-Vallorcine – Situated at the far
end of the valley on the Swiss border, with vast
alpine meadows and a view of the whole of the
Mont-Blanc chain, the Chamonix valley and the Swiss
Alps.
Mountain biking - Either discover the trails
for yourself or organise a guided trip through the
tourist office.
Mountain bike school – tel: +33 (0) 6 19 75 69
16
View here
for Chamonix mountain biking trail map
Mountain climbing – Chose between a
personal guide, or instruction courses for all ages
and levels.
Tel 0033 (0) 4 50 53 00 24
Association Internationale des Guides du Mont-Blanc
Open July-August from 10am-12pm and 2pm-7pm.
Tel: +33 (0) 4 50 53 27 05 www.guides-du-montblanc.com
5 day mountaineering initiation course –
Glacier hiking, Glacier trek or with an emphasis on
rock climbing.
There is also a climbing wall in Chamonix sports
centre, which boasts more than 800 grips. Over
14s only £2 entry.
Canyoning Yannick Seigneur – Tel: +33
(0) 4 50 53 05 16 www.canyoning.fr
Chamonix Hydroglisse - initiation in
rafting, canyoning, hydro or Arveyron – Tel:
+33 (0) 4 50 53 55 70 www.hydroglisse.com
GOLF CLUB DE CHAMONIX - +33 (0)4 50 53 06 28
– 2 +33 (0)4 50 53 38 69
info@golfdechamonix.com –
www.golfdechamonix.com
Les Praz de Chamonix.
Open every day from May to November (depending on
snow conditions).
18 hole Trent Jones Senior. Length 6,076m. Par 72.
Open-air practice green with roof. Individual and
group lessons. Courses. Numerous competitions –
open to visitors (handicap and green card required).
Handicap lower than 36 required during “peak
season”.
www.golfdechamonix.com
Richard Bozon Sports Centre - Swimming
pool and health centre, Tennins and squash, Ice
skating
Tel: +33 (0) 4 50 53 09 07 – Fax: +33 (0) 4 50
53 71 70 http://sports.chamonix.com
Fishing – Monthly, weekly or daily
permits. Fishing in the torrents and 5 stocked
lakes in the valley or in the mountains tel: +33 (0)
4 50 53 42 13
lessportsverts@wanadoo.fr
Benji Trampoline – For children from 3
years to adults. Open everyday (only in good
weather)
The Leisure Park Les Planards - Summer
toboggan (2 runs of 910m in length). Nocturnal
in July & August, Mondays & Thursdays from
8.30pm to 10.30pm. 50 tree top activities
(Tyroliennes, rope swings….) 4
‘mega-jump’ trampolines, a mechanical
digger and electric motorbike track for the 3-12 year
olds, playground. Free entry. Activities
payable.
Tel: +33 (0) 4 50 53 08 97 www.planards.com
- planards@wanadoo.fr
Paradi des Praz – In the village of Les
Praz (3km from Chamonix). Open from mid-June to
mid-September. Pony rides, playground,
lunchtime snacks. 10am-6.30pm July &
August, 2pm-6.30pm June & September (weather
permitting)
Huskydalen – Greenland Husky breeding
kennels. Guided visits & explications of
their way of life.
Tel: +33 (0) 4 50 47 77 24 www.huskydalen .com
AD HAUT VOL PARAPENTE - +33 (0)4 50 53 98 01
hautvol@orange.fr – www.guides-du-montblanc.com
Open every day, year-round.
Ski Set (at the base of the Aiguille du Midi cable
car)
Tandem paragliding flights with a
government-certified instructor. Accessible to all
(certificate included). Tandem paragliding flights:
from € 60
High mountain private guide: ask for details.
All the above information is for information only.
For up-to-date info please visit the resort tourist
office website
Chamonix Tourist Office
Tel: +33 4 50 53 00 24 - Opening times:
• From June 28 to September 13 – 8.30am to
7pm every day.
• Up to and including June 27 and from September
14 – 9am to 12.30pm and 2pm to 6.30.
www.chamonix.com
Office de haute montagne – 00 33 450 53 22 08
Compagnie du Mont Blanc
www.compagniedumontblanc.fr
Accessto
Chamonix
By Road: Driving distance from Calais to
Chamonix 518 miles (8hrs)
From Calais, take A26 Motorway towards Reims and
Troyes, then Dijon, Mâcon then ‘Autoroute
Blanche’ Motorway (A40 Mâcon –
Cluses) exit Chamonix.
By Rail: TGV to Saint-Gervais (35km transfer
or regional train)
Airports:
Geneva 70km +41 22 799 59 99 or Taxi
For further information on car parking, etc:
www.gva.ch/en(then select Transportation in menu)
Chambery 80km +33 479 54 49 54
Lyon Saint-Exupery 150km +33 472 22 72 21
Getting around Chamonix
Parking - Chamonix Parc Auto +33 (0)4 50 53 65
71. Cars. 4,000 parking spaces. 3 covered car parks:
Chamonix-Sud, Saint-Michel (behind the church,
Tourist Office access) and place du Mont-Blanc.
Parking up to 1 hour free of charge. Reduced weekly
rates for guest card holders. Transport in the town
centre provided by free shuttles The
“Mulet”.
The “Mulet*” enables you to get around
the town centre free of charge. Wait at the easily
recognisable stops and let yourself be taken care of!
Service available all year round. Times: every 10
minutes during high season and 20 minutes during the
off-season.
Circuit: leaflet available from the Tourist Office.
Link with the main Chamonix-Bus network.
* Shuttles fitted with an anti-pollution regulated
engine
and a particle filter
Need an Airport Transfer? Prices from
£61 per person based on
4 sharing a private return taxi from Geneva Airport
to Chamonix. Call our reservations team for details
on 0844 576 0170 or email
reservations@peakretreats.co.uk
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