Chamonix-Mont-Blanc – or Chamonix for short – is a popular destination for skiing in the Haute Savoie region on France. In fact, Chamonix hosted the first ever Winter Olympics in 1924! But, did you know that it can be every bit as fun and magical in summer? In fact, I might even prefer Chamonix when the snow is melted, the wildflowers are blooming, and the terraces are buzzing. Here are my top 8 things to do:
1| Go for a hike
Chamonix is one of the premiere hiking destinations in France. Whether you’re looking for an epic high-alpine trek through the mountains or just a pleasant walk, there is truly something for everybody. Chamonix is home to the world-famous Tour du Mont Blanc, which takes hikers on a 103-mile trek over the course of 11 days. It’s also the starting point for the Haute Route, which takes hikers – and in the winter, skiers – 137 miles through the Alps to Zermatt, Switzerland. But, if you’re looking for shorter day hikes, you’ll have many to choose from.
My favorites are:
- Grand Balcon Sud
- Grand Balcon Nord
- Lac Blanc
Check out my article on Best Hikes in Chamonix for a complete description of these treks.
2| Go paragliding
What better way to see the incredible mountain landscapes of Chamonix than from above? Paragliding is a very popular pastime in this area year-round, and you’re likely to see dozens of colorful parachutes floating above the town on days when the weather permits. But why let the locals have all the fun? Here’s what you can expect if you book a flight: a professional guide will meet you at the Brévent gondola station, you will have a quick safety briefing and ride up the Brévent Gondola, then you’ll be launched into a thrilling and unforgettable tandem paragliding journey over the French Alps! The entire experience typically takes about an hour from start to finish and costs around 160 euros.
There are many professional companies and guides running tandem flights – here’s one that gets great reviews on GetYourGuide!
3| Step inside a glacier
Did you know that you can step foot inside of France’s largest glacier, The Mer de Glace? The journey to the glacier is half the fun, beginning with a ride on the Montenvers Train. The fire-engine-red cog train – which has been operating 1908 – departs from Chamonix and climbs up to an elevation of 1913 meters. From there, you’ll be able to take in a panoramic view of The Mer de Glace and the surrounding mountains. You can choose to venture over to Refuge du Montenvers and have drinks or lunch on their terrace – or, you can simply take the new Mer de Glace Gondola straight down to the glacier. From there, you’ll be able to enter the ice cave and journey to the heart of The Mer de Glace. A visit to this icy attraction also includes ice sculptures, as well as interesting information about the formation and history of the glacier.
4| Ride the Aiguille du Midi cable car
One of the most popular things to do in Chamonix is to ride a cable car all the way up to the Aiguille du Midi. The cable car ride departs from the center of town and over the course of 20 minutes it brings you to an elevation of 3842 meters. The station at the top offers 360° views of the French, Swiss, and Italian Alps. There is also a restaurant, a 4D Cinema, a long steel walking area called The Tube, and an attraction called “Into the Void” where you can step into a clear glass box suspended in the air. In the winter and spring, skiers use the Aiguille du Midi as a starting point for the Vallée Blanche backcountry route (I’ve done it and it’s fantastic!)
If you don’t want to go all the way up, there is a mid-station stop called Le Plan de l’Aiguille at 2310 meters. There is a pleasant little refuge there where you can grab lunch or drinks. It’s a great place to watch the cable car go by with a cappuccino from the terrace!
5| Have a relaxing spa day
After all the adventuring you’ll be doing in Chamonix, you’re going to need a little relaxation time. There is no better place to accomplish this than QC Terme. I have been to several QC locations throughout France and Italy, and the Chamonix location is one of my favorites. For 77 euros, you get access to the “thermal path” – a gigantic maze filled with different hot tubs, saunas, steam rooms, showers, relaxation rooms, and sensory experiences. You also get a robe, towel, sandals, and complimentary tea and snacks. While most of the rooms are inside a large wellness center, there are several pools and hot tubs outside – so you can sit in total relaxation and gaze upon the mountainous landscape.
One thing that’s important to note: this is not a private spa. You will be sharing the space with other people! You can book an entry slot ahead of time, and I’ve found that the earlier you go the less crowded it is.
6| Challenge yourself on a via ferrata
Via ferrata is a very popular activity for thrill-seekers in the Alps! In fact, via ferrata – or “iron path” – was invented in the Alps by the Italian Army during World War I as a safe and efficient way to move soldiers across the mountains. Iron rungs and cables are installed into the mountainside, and adventurers use a special set of lanyards to clip in and navigate their way along the path. It’s one of my favorite adventure activities, and what’s great about the Alps is that most of them are free if you bring your own gear. However, if you don’t travel with a harness, via ferrata (shock absorbing) lanyards + auto locking karabiners, helmet, hiking boots, and gloves like I do – you can always hire a local guide to take you out on the mountain! If you have never done via ferrata before, I would definitely recommend hiring someone from this list of local mountain guides.
There are 3 via ferratas near Chamonix. They are:
Via Ferrata des Evettes
This via ferrata is right in the heart of Chamonix, starting about 20 minutes walk from the top of the Flègère chairlift (there is plenty of signage so it’s easy to find). It is rated PD or peu difficile – “a little difficult” – which is a 2 out of 6 on the difficulty scale. It’s considered family-friendly as there are no extreme technical sections and there are plenty of opportunities to take an early exit. The highlight for me is definitely the 50m Himalayan Bridge at the end! It takes about 3 hours to complete.
Via Ferrata de Curalla
If you’re looking for incredible views, this is the via ferrata for you. It’s located about 30 minutes from Chamonix in the nearby town of Passy. There is a 20 minute hike to get to the entrance, followed by a cable section across the rock face – where you’ll be rewarded with a panorama of Mont Blanc and the surrounding landscape. This one is rated AD+ or assez difficile – essentially intermediate (the direct translation is literally “difficult enough”) – and takes about 2 hours to complete in total. This route is not recommended for beginners or children under 12, and I recall there being one overhanging section and a couple sketchy bridge entrances.
Via Ferrata du Parc Thermal
This is the only via ferrata near Chamonix that I haven’t done, so I don’t have quite as much information as the other two. It is located inside the Thermal Park in nearby Le Fayet; it’s supposed to have incredible scenery and some very fun bridges. However, this route is more difficult than the other two mentioned. It is split into 3 sections; the first section is rated AD+ (intermediate), the second is rated D+ (difficult), and the third is rated TD+ (tres difficile or very difficult). If you are experienced in via ferrata and do wish to attempt this route, there are early exit points after each section.
7| Brave river rapids with Hydrospeed
Have you ever looked at a rushing river and thought “I’d like to be launched down this river on a foam boogie board!” Well, it sounds like hydrospeed is for you! Hydrospeed – also known as riverboarding – was invented in the French Alps. It is somewhat like a hybrid of white water rafting and body surfing, where thrill seekers ride through intense rapids holding on to a buoyant foam hydrospeed board. If you choose to take on this adventure, you will be outfitted in a wet suit, neoprene booties, life vests, fins, and a helmet, and lead by a professional guide through a stretch of river rapids. There are several route options near Chamonix, and which one you do will depend on the month, water levels, and class of rapids. Session Raft is the company I went with, and I would absolutely recommend them. It’s important to note that this activity is not recommended for children under 12 or those who are not strong swimmers.
8| Enjoy a day in town
After all of these thrilling outdoor activities, you might be ready to simply walk around and relax. Maybe you’d like to do a bit of shopping and grab a bite to eat. Well, you’re in luck because Chamonix is a great place to do just that! I would recommend beginning with a trip to the boulangerie for some pastries – my favorites are Le Fournil Chamoniard and Boulangerie Au Mont Chou. My favorite place for coffee is Moody Coffee Roasters, if you’re just in the mood for a café a emporter (takeaway coffee) to carry around as you stroll.
The streets of Chamonix are filled with lots of sporting goods shops, souvenir shops, and Savoyarde specialty food shops. You’ll also find several museums – like the Crystal Museum and the the Alpine Museum – a casino, and a cinema. If you’ve worked up an appetite from exploring, try some local specialties like fondue, raclette, tartiflette, croziflette, and croûte Savoyarde. If you’re craving something besides Savoyarde food, my favorite spots are Cool Cats and The Dainty Pizza. Check out my Chamonix food guide to learn more about what and where to eat in Chamonix!
Bonus: if you’ll be in Chamonix on a Saturday, it’s important to note that there is an incredible weekly farmer’s market! It occurs every Saturday from 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM year-round – although there are more vendors in the warmer months. Here you will find local cheese, bread, fruits, vegetables, and meat. There are also vendors selling seafood, fresh pasta, spices, honey, and prepared foods (my favorite is the poulet roti – or rotisserie chicken).
If you’re looking for more nearby adventures, check out my article on 3 Epic Day Trips from Chamonix!