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Mont Blanc - Vallorcine

The resort

The tiny, unspoilt village of Vallorcine is superbly located at the foot of Mont-Blanc, 20km from Chamonix and close to the Swiss border. The scenery is stunning and is a family friendly resort with a relaxed atmosphere. More


The resort offers many excursions, hiking and walks in the mountains being surrounded by forests and at the gates of the Aiguilles Rouges and Berard Valley nature reserves.

 

Facilities in the Vallorcine village itself are blessedly limited.  There are a handful of simple restaurants.  However if you’re looking for a livelier night out or more extensive facilities, it’s easy to get Chamonix.

 

Chamonix (10 miles away) is indeed a fascinating traditional resort with a bustling atmosphere thanks to the presence of over 100 shops, bars and restaurants. The picturesque town also has a casino, Olympic ice rink, sports complex, tennis courts, climbing wall, bowling, Alpine museum, seven night clubs and three cinemas.  Also in the region you can try paragliding or take a helicopter sight-seeing flight.

 

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.  View 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! View 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.

 

View here for Chamonix Valley cable car opening dates

 

Why Vallorcine?

·          Small, unspoilt resort that’s less crowded than Chamonix

·          Traditional village

 

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

 

Multi-Activity courses
Daily and weekly programmes offeer children the opportunity to discover a wide choice of sports and nature activities in the company of professional guides and leaders: Cross-country biking, rock-climbing, adventure hikes, canyoning, rafting, tyrolean traverses.

See companies -  ‘Cham'Aventure’ – ‘Evolution 2’

Mountain Biking: The perfect opportunity to discover both valley and mountain trails in the company of a qualified mountain bike leader.
Paragliding: Tandem flights from Planpraz (Brevent), from 8 years of age.
Rafting: Arve river descent, introduction to navigation techniques. From 10 years or age (minimum height 1.40 m)
Hydrospeed: Arve river descent, introduction to white water swimming. From 12 years of age (minimum height 1.45 m and competent swimmer)
Canyoning: Swimming, high jumps, water slides and abseiling...in mountain rivers. From 10 years of age.

 

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

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.

Climbing wall  +33 (0)4 50 53 09 07

http://sports.chamonix.com

 

MJC

For children from 6 to 12 years
Sports weeks are organised throughout the summer. Inscriptions on a weekly or daily basis, subject to availability: tennis, volley, gym, hiking, swimming, outdoor activities...
Please book at the welcome desk of the MJC from Monday to Friday from 9am to 12 noon and from 3pm to 6pm.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Activities in Vallorcine

Hiking

80 km of marked trails for all levels from the village.

The trail map Vallorcine is offered upon request at the tourist office for free. Trail map of Chamonix Valley is €4. Dogs are not permitted the nature reserves of Aiguilles Rouges and Vallone Berard.

 

Climbing

10 min walk from the village

Maison des guides de Vallorcine au 04 50 54 60 69
www.maisondelamontagne-vallorcine.fr
E-mail : guides.vallorcine@wanadoo.fr

 

Mountain Biking

Opening of the gondola Vallorcine in July and August for pedestrians and mountain bikers.

On the Balme area: several circuits for all levels. Piste de la Forêt Verte, col des Posettes, col de Balme, Le Tour..

At the top of the gondola, black track down fitted with wooden modules for experts.


Fishing

This river is worth seeing for its waters ranked first category but also the mountainous nature of its framework, through which we take pleasure in walking. Map of fishing on sale at the Tourist Office.
A fishing guide graduate offers fishing trips on rivers, streams and mountain lakes. Contact:Marc on 06 15 11 77 58 or: www.maisondelamontagne-vallorcine.fr

 

Fly fishing

Discovery Stage with Mark, beginners or advanced.
In Haute-Savoie, Switzerland and Italy
1 / 2 day, 1 day course 1 to 5 days

Come and relax while discovering the pleasures of fishing in the mountains.
Mountain lakes with night shelter, rivers and mountain torrents. Relaxation is guaranteed!

As an accompanist in assembling and fishing guide, he offers rando-release fishing in mountain lakes over several days with nights in a shelter.
1hr30 walk around to access various lakes or streams (Possibility of access 4X4). Possibility of loan equipment.

 

Amenities in Chamonix

Taxis, doctors, pharmacy, dentist, bank, alpine museum, library, ice garden, ice grotto, bowling

 

Eating out in Vallorcine

Restaurant du Camping des Montets: 04 50 54 60 45 (open in summer)

Creamery in the Cascade Berard: 06 11 42 37 42 (open in summer)

The Val'Horse inn - Place de la Gare 06 82 11 53 21 (summer)

Snack "The Moon-Tine" in Buet 06 17 48 34 83 (open all year)

 

You can also enjoy the specialties of the country, mountain, both in shelters or campsites. Open mid-June to late September, the keepers offer crusts with cheese, melted, and tartiflettes in a splendid setting.

 

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.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Vallorcine Tourist Office

Vallorcine tourist information
Le Betté Chef Lieu
74660 VALLORCINE
Tél +33 450 54 60 71
Fax +33 450 54 61 73

www.vallorcine.com
info@vallorcine.com

               

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

 

Access to Vallorcine  

By Road: Driving distance from Calais to Vallorcine 530miles (8hrs)

Direct access by the 'Autoroute Blanche' (Motorway), connected to the European motorway network, all the way to Chamonix. Then on the RN 506 to Vallorcine (17 km), heading towards Switzerland.

 

By Rail: TGV (fast train) to Saint-Gervais. Mont-Blanc express Saint-Gervais - Vallorcine.

 

Airports:

Geneva Airport is 116km from Vallorcine (1 ½ hours)

www.gva.ch/en   

Chambery Airport is 149km from Vallorcine (1 ¾ hours)

www.chambery-airport.com

Lyon Saint-Exupery is 236km from Vallorcine (2 ½ hours)

www.lyonairport.com

Grenoble Airport is 243km from Vallorcine (2 ½ hours)

www.grenoble-airport.com

 

Need an Airport Transfer? Private return taxi from Geneva Airport to Vallorcine from £79pp. Call our reservations team for details on 0844 576 0170 or email reservations@peakretreats.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

 

Access Plan

Vallorcine France

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vallorcine France

Resort Map

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vallorcine, Mont-Blanc

Resort Height 1260m-3864m

(3,410-12,680ft)

Mountain Activities (Vallorcine)

Mountain biking (MTB)

Mountain Activities (Chamonix)

Mountaineering

& Mont-Blanc ascent

Glacier trekking

Rock climbing

Via ferrata

Mountain biking (MTB)

Paragliding

Water Activities (Vallorcine)

Fishing/Fly fishing

Water Activities (Chamonix)

Rafting

Hydrospeed

Canoraft

Kayak

Airboat

White Water Rafting

Walking (Vallorcine)

Hiking routes

Walking (Chamonix)

350km of marked path for individual or guided walks

Glacier hiking

Mont-Blanc tours

Golf (Chamonix)

18 hole par 72

Practice driving range

 

Over 46 different sporting activities available in Chamonix!

Driving distance from Calais to Vallorcine 518 miles or 8hrs

VALLORCINE RESORT INFO

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Vallorcine Resort News

(events etc)

 

VALLORCINE RESORT MAP

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Vallorcine Resort Map

 

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Vallorcine in Winter


Click to enlarge map

Accommodation NB. Chalets below are self-catering (click below to see details)


Ours Bleu
Apartments
Indoor Pool
Sleeps 2-10
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