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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.
Chamonix is the 3rd most visited
natural site in the world.
MULTIPASS MONT BLANC CARD
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 of €2 + free access to the top
lift of Aiguille du Midi – instead of €3),
Montenvers train to the Sea of Ice, Mont-Blanc
Tramway, Brevent, Flegere, Balme, Grands Montets,
Bossons lift and Prarion gondola in Les Houches. You
will also get discounts on the Chamonix tourist train
and Courmayeur lifts in Italy. Pre-book with
Peak Retreats. Prices from £46 per adult,
£37 per child and £131 per family of 4
for 1 day. Consecutive and non-consecutive
passes available.
View here for full prices of MULTIPASS MONT
BLANC.
View here for Chamonix Valley cable car opening
dates
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! 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.
·
Argentieres’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.
Virtual
Visits
Hold down the left
click of your mouse and drag left right up and down
whilst still holding on the left click button to move
360 degree.
360 degree view of Chamonix towns in
Summer
360 degree view of Gite du Col de Balme,
Chamonix
360 degree view of Refuge Belachat, Chamonix
Valley
View here for
Chamonix Valley 360 virtual tours
View here to watch a mini-film of Chamonix’s
Aiguille du Midi.
Childcare in Chamonix
·
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).
Golf de Chamonix
www.golfdechamonix.com
info@golfdechamonix.com
Group lessons for children, July and August, Monday
to Friday. Courses led by Jean-Claude Bonnaz.
Canyoning
Oxo Mont-Blanc canyoning. From 10 years old:
abseiling, jumps, natural
toboggan slides in mountain rivers. Half-day
€58, day €92.
Miniclub
Open
July – August for 6 – 12 year olds.
Sports activities for the day or week from Monday to
Friday (ice skating, tennis, mountain biking, street
hockey, gym, etc).
Price €25 / day or €90 / week, meal
included.
Information: Centre sportif Richard Bozon.
Compagnie des
Guides de Chamonix Mont-Blanc
Tel: +33 (0) 4 50 53
00 88 – Fax: +33 (0) 4 50 53 48 04
Several hikes for children from 9 to 14 years
old, including the Mont-Blanc Tour, the famous
great loop around the roof of Europe, with a rafting
descent. Duration 6 days: €400.
Other hikes: Tour of La Vanoise,
Léman-Chamonix, Grand Paradis.
For 15 / 17 year-olds: Le Ruan and Le
Mercantour.
Junior mountaineering course (12 – 17 years
old): 5 days of mountain activities, for
beginners to advanced mountaineers. Cliff, canyon,
ice climbing initiation, application race. Courses
start every Monday.
Aventure en tête )
www.aventureentete.com
12 years and above: ice climbing initiation,
€150 / half-day (3 people). Glacier hikes with
night in refuge: from €300 (2 / 3 people).
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: 0033 450 53 12 24
3 sites (Vallorcine, Argentière and Les
Pèlerins) and 5 leisure centres:
Vallorcine, 3 – 11 years,
Argentière, 3 – 11 years,
Les Ptits Boutch in Les Pèlerins, 3 – 5
years,
Les Pèlerins Leisure Centre, 6 – 11
years,
Teenagers club, 12 – 14 years.
Activities include theme weeks, mini-camps,
excursions, etc. Activities for young people (12
– 17 years): specific events and activities,
camps, mini-camps.
Parc de Loisirs de Chamonix - +33 (0)4 50 53
08 97 www.planards.com – planards@wanadoo.fr
New in 2009:unlimited access to more than 18
activities! Summer luge, chair lift, electric
motor-bike track, mechanical shovels, 40 m toboggan
slides, trampolines, panoramic tower, splash boat,
mechanical Tyrolean traverse, “loop the
loop” roller coaster, water mazes, tree
adventure trail for 3 – 7 year-olds, mechanical
swing, play areas, indoor games, mini-farm, sand
games, water games, etc.
On the spot: bar-restaurant, picnic area, souvenir
shop.
Adult (1.40m tall and more) = €14. Child (under
1.40m) = €12. Free for children less than 1m
tall. Reduced rates for groups and for pensioners.
Park partly open (due to works) from April to end of
June: reduced rates during this period. Park fully
openfrom July, from 10am to 7pm.
Paradis des Praz
In the village of Les Praz (3 km from Chamonix). Open
every day from 15th June to 1st September, from 10am
to 6.30pm. Donkey rides, children’s games,
mini-Tyrolean traverse and mini Himalayan bridge,
beach and boat, drinks kiosk, food service and giant
barbecue at lunchtime.
Multi-activity course
Cham Aventures
www.cham-aventures.com
Cham’Kid (8 – 12 years) or
Cham’Ado (13 – 17 years): a weekly or
daily programme.
Children will discover outdoor activities, supervised
by local professionals (climbing, hiking, rafting and
adventure park, canyoning, mountain biking etc.)
Kaïlash adventure
info@kailashadventure.com
www.kailashadventure.com
For 8 – 12 year-olds and 13 – 17
year-olds: 5 days of activities and discoveries
(according to age: hill walking, canyoning, tree
adventure, climbing, rafting, canoe-raft, high
abseiling and via ferrata, tandem paragliding, ice
school, etc.).
Panda Base Camp Evolution 2
www.evolution2-chamonix.com
planning@evolution2.com
Panda Base Camp: an adventure centre for children in
Argentière (behind the Grands Montets
cable-car).
Chamonix sales outlet: Coquoz Sports, 306 Rue du Dr
Paccard.
Discover a new activity every day... The adventure
starts here! (for 6 – 15 year-olds).
“A la carte” days or 5-day course: horse
riding, climbing, adventure course, rafting,
husky-hiking, mountain-biking, orientation course,
etc. In Panda Base Camp: refreshment bar, trampoline,
pony rides, bouncy castles. Open every day from 9am
to 7pm.
Paragliding
Let your children discover the pleasure of flying
(from 5 / 6 years old).
Tandem flight from €70, according to the site.
AD HAUT VOL PARAPENTE - +33 (0)4 50 53 98 01
hautvol@orange.fr – www.guides-du-montblanc.com
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.
Markets - Place du Mont-Blanc: Saturday
morning.
Argentière (July / August only): Sunday
morning.
Casino
Open every day from 11am (free coffee &
croissants).
64 slot machines, from 1 cent to €5
Table games (English roulette, French roulette and
black jack) from 8pm (from 5pm on Sunday). Restaurant
open in evening only from Friday to
Sunday (à la carte) and at lunchtime every day
with €9.90.
Entertainment and shows all year. ID required for
entry to the casino.
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
Parc animalier de Merlet (Wildlife park)
An outstanding park, facing Mont-Blanc, for
discovering mountain wildlife in its natural habitat.
Accessible by car or using footpaths. Opening times:
July / August 9.30am to 7.30pm. May / June /
September 10 am to 6pm, closed on Mondays.
Rates: child (under 12) €3.50, adult €5.50.
The Aiguille Rouges nature reserve
Free admission. Open from 10:00am to 5:30pm.
Adapted services for children.
Trainee facilitators provide tours of the reception
chalet and the discovery trail. Microscopes and
videodisks provide in-depth knowledge of discoveries
made on the trail. Theme walks (registration
necessary).
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.
Fitness Trail
Located at the Les Gaillands climbing rock (1.5 km
from Chamonix).
Free access.
Bowling
www.bowling-chamonix.com
Avenue de Courmayeur (Chamonix-Sud). Open every day
from 5pm to 2am (open at 2pm if weather is poor). 8
bowling lanes, video games, 18 billiard tables and 1
mini-golf.
Paint ball
www.paintballcham.com
Reservation necessary. From 12 years.
Equipment provided (mask, overalls, protective vest,
neck protector, gloves, semi-automatic thrower, 100
cartridges, compressed air). Around 2 hours of play.
Price €16 / pers (18 people maximum).
Centre Sportif Richard Bozon
214, av. de la Plage
sports@chamonix-mont-blanc.fr
Prices and timetables subject to change.
Swimming-Pool, Sauna, Steam Room
Every day, July / August: 10am to 7pm: indoor
swimming pool and park. External pools to re-open in
August.
Rates: child €3.65, adult €4.80.
Tennis and squash
19 courts (hard or clay) including 4 indoor, 3 squash
courts.
Tennis prices (2 people): €16 / h (hard and
indoor), €21,60 / h (clay).
Squash prices (2 people): €8,30 / 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
Opened at specific times in summer (information:
Chamonix Tennis Club 04 50 53 28 40)
Skating rink
Open every day from 2pm to 5pm, Night sessions every
Wednesday from 9pm to 11pm. Skates hire: €3.55.
Child entrance: €3.75, adult: €4.95.
Weight training room and keep-fit
Self or supervised training. Weekly fitness lessons.
Climbing hall
Open every day July / August from 10am to 7pm. 180
Sq. m and 800 holds. Entry: €4.
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).
The Mont Blanc Express train line
makes travelling between Saint-Gervais les Bains le
Fayet and Vallorcine very easy, via the villages of
Les Houches, Chamonix and Argentière. It
extends into Switzerland to the city of
Martigny.
With an average of a train per
hour and 18 stops, take a nice and easy ride along
this beautiful valley. (Journeys between Servoz and
Vallorcine are free with the guest card).
Connecting TGV trains to Annecy
and Geneva.
More information at any train
station in France, by phone (from France): 0891 67 68
00 or Internet
Airports:
Geneva Airport is 82km from Chamonix (1 hour)
www.gva.ch/en
Chambery Airport is 132km from Chamonix (1 ½
hours)
www.chambery-airport.com
Grenoble Airport is 219km from Chamonix (2 hours)
www.grenoble-airport.com
Lyon Saint-Exupery is 220km from Chamonix (2 ½
hours)
www.lyonairport.com
Regular bus transfers from GVA to Chamonix via SAT
bus,
40, place de la gare
74400 Chamonix Mont-Blanc
Tel : +33(0)450530115
http://www.sat-montblanc.com
Runs from 20th June – 6th September 2009
everyday.
View here
for PDF timetable.
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”.
Free parking areas - Le Corzolet,
Parking near the train station, Les Planards,
l'Allée Recteur ,Payot, Rue Helbronner.
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 in July & August from 8:30am to 6:30pm
and every 20 minutes during other periods.
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.
The local Chamonix bus network
services the entire Chamonix Valley from the village
of Servoz to the village of Le Tour. It also provides
access to all the different lift areas.
The Mont Blanc Express
train line makes travelling between Saint-Gervais les
Bains le Fayet and Vallorcine very easy, via the
villages of Les Houches, Chamonix and
Argentière. It extends into Switzerland to the
city of Martigny.
With an average of a train per
hour and 18 stops, take a nice and easy ride along
this beautiful valley. (Journeys between Servoz and
Vallorcine are free with the guest card).
View Summer
2009 timetable for Mont Blanc Express here
(PDF)
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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