Chamonix, the place to be

Chamonix’s international reputation is well established. Ideally situated at the crossroads of Switzerland and Italy, to which it is linked by the famous Mont Blanc Tunnel, the resort lies at the foot of the giant of the Alps: Mont-Blanc, Europe’s highest peak, classified as an ‘exceptional site, unique in the world’ by UNESCO.

The world capital of mountaineering, Chamonix is a benchmark in high mountain sports, with a cosmopolitan clientele that makes its year-round life so rich. A veritable small town in the mountains, it offers a plethora of sporting and cultural activities, as well as numerous restaurants, bars and shops of all kinds.

At 17km long, Chamonix is the largest urban area in Haute-Savoie. Situated at an altitude of 1050m, it comprises 16 villages and hamlets from north to south, from the village of Le Tour to that of Les Bossons. Since 2009, it has formed the Communauté de Commune de la Vallée de Chamonix with the communes of Vallorcine, Les Houches and Servoz. Chamonix’s exceptional accessibility, breathtaking views and wide range of facilities make it a popular resort in all seasons, and a popular year-round destination for its 8,642 inhabitants.

The history of Chamonix

Once part of the Duchy of Sardinia, Chamonix was already arousing the curiosity of adventurers determined to conquer its high peaks. Their stories gave rise to a taste for the new challenge that was to become mountaineering, and with it the first hotels to cater for this budding tourist industry. In 1786, Jacques Balmat and Michel Paccard, two Chamonixers whose names will go down in history, climbed Mont Blanc for the first time. The first woman, Marie Paradis, made the ascent in 1808. The prestigious Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix was founded in 1821 and is still in operation today.

Chamonix became French in 1860, when Napoleon III signed the Treaty of Turin granting the Duchy of Savoie to France.

From then on, the resort continued to develop around the mountain and its activities: observatory, Alpine Club, international competitions, the resort now lives to the rhythm of the tourist seasons. The arrival of the railway in 1901 finally opened up Chamonix, making it the leading winter sports resort.

The crowning glory for Chamonix was of course the organisation of the first Winter Olympics in 1924, sealing its pioneering destiny forever.

Since then, the resort has continued to develop its ski and mountain tourism infrastructure, as well as leading mountain institutions such as the ENSA (Ecole Nationale de Ski et d’Alpinisme), the EMHM (Ecole Militaire de Haute Montagne) and the IFREMMONT (Institut de formation et de recherche en médecine de montagne).

Today, it is one of the most popular high mountain resorts in the world.

Chamonix, a fantastic playground

The ski area offers 182 km of pistes and 47 ski lifts. All types of skiing are practised in Chamonix: downhill skiing, Nordic skiing, ski jumping and ski touring. Numerous off-piste itineraries also attract the most experienced skiers, including the famous Vallée Blanche, which winds its way through the Mont-Blanc Massif over more than 20km to the Mer de Glace. The route starts from the Aiguille du Midi cable car, the highest in the world at 3,842 metres. The massif boasts a number of glaciers, including the 7km-long Mer de Glace, and several peaks over 4,000 metres in altitude, including the famous Grandes Jorasses and Mont-Blanc du Tacul, offering exceptional panoramic views and mountaineering routes that can be undertaken with a mountain guide.

In summer, there are many signposted walks and mountain bike trails through the valley. One of the best known is the Tour du Mont-Blanc, a 170km route around the massif between France, Switzerland and Italy. Trail running has also made a name for itself in this immense natural playground, with the arrival of the UTMB and its 190km mountain course, which has become a Mecca for trail runners the world over. Chamonix also boasts a beautiful 18-hole golf course with breathtaking views, designed by Robert Trent Jones and much appreciated by connoisseurs. Finally, ice hockey, Chamonix’s historic heritage for over a century with its most successful club in France, is still very popular with enthusiasts.

In terms of tourist attractions, Chamonix has many other activities to suit all tastes and ages, such as the Montenvers cog railway, the Merlet nature park, and all the sporting activities such as paragliding, swimming, summer sledging, tennis, ice skating, white water sports, climbing… And if you’re looking to relax, there’s a great spa on offer too.

Chamonix is a dynamic resort in all seasons, with a splendid setting and a fascinating history.

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