|
At 4810 metres, Mont-Blanc – as everyone
remembers from school geography lessons – is
Europe’s highest mountain. Nicknamed
“the Lord of the Alps”, it’s the
absolute high point of any trip to the area south of
Lake Geneva. On first view, you almost think
that the astonishing glaciers come tumbling right
down into the valley. Mont-Blanc is the third
most visited natural site in the world and the resort
of Chamonix
is the undisputed capital of mountaineering having
hosted the first ever Winter Olympics back in 1924.
There’s actually too much to see and do in Chamonix
– surrounded by 3000-metre peaks, it’s
the departure point for a comprehensive and clearly
marked network of mountain paths and biking
tracks. It’s simply made for
adventures. For a start, you could go hiking on
the glaciers in the Mont-Blanc massif, there are 71
to choose from in total. You could take the
Mont-Blanc tramway, which predates the First World
War, up to the Bionnassay glacier, from where
experienced mountaineers proceed to scale the sacred
peak. You could ride the Montenvers railway as
far as one of the most beautiful icescapes in the
world: the Mer de Glace, a vast frozen sea that
inspired Mary Shelley to describe it so memorably in
Frankenstein. You could discover the summer
grotto complete with ice sculptures and a gallery of
crystals. You could hop aboard the Aiguille du
Midi cable car for an outstanding view of Mont-Blanc
together with the Swiss and Italian Alps. Where
else in the world can you see three countries at
once?
Pre-book your MultiPass Mont Blanc lift
pass (ideal for Chamonix, Argentiere and Les Houches)
– see
details.
And all that’s without even mentioning the
scores of activities you can participate in
Mont-Blanc country: canoeing on the Arve river,
swimming in rapids on the Giffre, paragliding, via
ferrata, ice skating, horse riding or just strolling
in the foothills. For something a little out of
the ordinary, try a canyon descent at night or 18
holes of golf on one Europe’s most stunning
courses. Children can join a course to learn
how to be a trapper in the forest outback and the
whole family will want to pay a visit to the
Greenland Husky breeding kennels.
The lift system in the valley enables visitors to
switch at will between landscapes of shady forests,
ethereal glaciers and flower-filled meadows.
Keep an eye out for golden eagles soaring
overhead. Offering unlimited access to all the
Compagnie du Mont-Blanc ski stations and
installations save for the panoramic gondola, the
Mont-Blanc multipass is the ideal way to explore the
unearthly snowfields and glacial domes of the
massif. You can buy a consecutive or
non-consecutive option so you’re not forced to
cram all your outings into a short space of
time. See our website for further details.
Summer is definitely the best time to witness the
Savoyard lifestyle at its liveliest. Festivals
and holiday celebrations take place throughout the
season; the most well-known is the annual Fête
des Guides which takes place around the 15th of
August in Chamonix
and includes a special mass to bless the mountain
guides’ ropes and ice axes.
Cheese lovers will feel right at home in this part of
France. Apart from the rich fondue that
you’ll find everywhere, try the soft mountain
cheeses Tomme de Savoie and Reblochon. Fritters
and turnovers are very popular in Haute-Savoie but
best of all is Le Farçon, a tasty potato dish
mixed with bacon, raisins and prunes. Eat it
accompanied with a local Mondeuse wine. Vive la
montagne!
In the heart of the French Alps between Mont Blanc,
Beaufortain and Aravis, the Val d’Arly is still
a well kept secret despite being one of the oldest
tourist centres in Savoie. Unique, varied terrain
with Mont Blanc as a stunning backdrop, fantastic
scenery, charming traditional villages, and the
warmth and friendliness of its inhabitants,
discerning travellers have made this area their ideal
alpine getaway. A major crossroads, and the starting
point for hikes and car excursions to take in famous
tours of The Savoy Alps
For those in search of attractions and activities,
there are endless possibilities for sightseeing and
outdoor pursuits. There is a huge variety of sites
available within an hours drive, with activities for
thrill seekers and passive sightseers alike. The
three reservoirs in the region are particularly
appreciated for their water sports activities. There
are over 250 km of marked walking tracks and 135 km
of biking trails. Several chairlfts operate in the
region to ease access to the breath-taking landscapes
of Val d’Arly Mont Blanc.
For Golfers there are several Alpine Golf courses to
choose from, with breathtaking views and uncrowded
fairways.
|
|
Set at the foot of Mont Blanc, Europe's highest
mountain at 16,000 feet, Chamonix has been a
major alpine centre since the 19th century and
is one of the most visited natural sites in the
world.
|
At the entrance of the Chamonix valley and only
4km from its famous town, the pretty village of
Les Houches is right under the impressive
Mont-Blanc.
|
|
Le Grand-Bornand is one of the best preserved
and most beautiful of the Savoyard villages.
Perfectly located between Mont Blanc, Lake
Annecy and Switzerland.
|
|
The spa resort of Saint-Gervais with its
Baroque church and pedestrian areas has
attracted tourists since 1806. Set in a narrow
river gorge halfway between Megève and
Chamonix, the landscape is impressive wherever
you look.
|
|
The charming mountain village of Les Saisies
offers a great selection of activities plus a
large number of excellent shops, bars and
restaurants to give everyone busy.
|
|
Dominated by the Aiguille du Midi and the 4810m
high Mont Blanc, the old village of Argentiere
is in a spectacular setting towards the head of
the Chamonix valley.
|
Nestling just above Flumet, Notre Dame is a
very picturesque resort. With traditional trade
exhibitions and wine festivals as well as walks
through the stunning scenery with fascinating
wildlife and beautiful flowers.
|
Facing the majestic Mont-Blanc, Combloux is a
traditional Savoyard village situated in a
beautiful setting.
|
The tiny, unspoilt village of Vallorcine is
superbly located at the foot of Mont-Blanc,
20km from Chamonix and close to the Swiss
border.
|
La Clusaz is a traditional alpine resort set in
the Aravis mountain range. It is ideal for
families with plenty of indoor and outdoor
activities to keep everyone happy.
|
|
The whole area is easy to get to with motorway
exits at both ends and all our resorts are off
the main trunk road which runs from
Megève to Albertville.
|
|
|
