Chamonix in a nutshell !

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Chamonix (to be pronounced Chamoni without the X ).

Chamonix is certainly one of my favorite place in France if not in Europe. Located in the South East of France, part of the Haute-Savoie Department. Chamonix is the mecca of all outdoor activities aficionados during winter and summer seasons. You can visit Chamonix anytime of the year, each time, you will get a different flavor of the city.

The main reason I do like Cham, it is simply due to the fact that the city lay in front of the Mt Blanc (4810 mt) but also offer where ever you are in the city a spectacular view on the tallest mountain in the West Europe.

Unfortunately I was just passing in Chamonix, and stay there just for a lunch then I had to carry on my journey. I know I will come back in the future and spend at least several days and enjoy some mountaineering activities.
The city itself is not big, I would consider according my standard, Chamonix being a large village. The city is located very near of Switzerland (just one hour drive from Geneva) but also Italy.

Top 10 activities in Chamonix:

 

  1. Enjoy the French cuisine and more specifically:  fondue Savoyard (a must try)..
  2. Try to drink their local alcohol: Genepi
  3. Take the cable-car from Chamonix to the Aiguilles du Midi (be prepared, it’s going up to 3800 meters, you might be exposed to altitude sickness)
  4. Hiking, hiking, hiking, multiple hike opportunities (tour du mont blanc for instance but also shorter one..)
  5. Climb the Mont Blanc (with a certified guide)
  6. Shopping: yes you can shop but mainly outdoor gears (all brand are represented from North Face to Patagonia ….), but also local food (cheese, dry sausage, honey, alcohol..).
  7. Enjoy the view of the Mt Blanc from a terrace
  8. Visit the Alpine Museum
  9. Take a ride with the Montenvers Railway and enjoy the scenery of the Mer de Glace
  10. Take the Mt Blanc Tramway, starting from St Gervais and will bring you to the Nid D’aigle at Month Blanc

 

How to reach Chamonix:

By road from France:

Route Nationale 205 (RN 205)

By Road from Switzerland:

Route Nationale 1506. (Chamonix is about 90 km from Geneva )

By train:

From St Gervais (France), you can reach Chamonix by using the metre-gauge St Gervais- Vallorcine. The line was opened in 1901, so by taking this train, it’s like being part of the history :)

From Geneva: no train going to Chamonix, but there are busses.

 

You can find more information by clicking here

 

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Until then, have a great day !

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  1. What a beautiful place because there aren’t crowded and beautiufl nature and housing.
    I can stay there for many days if I visit there.

    By the way, don’t you like Europe? That’s why you said, “……..if not in Europe.” at the first sentence.

    • Thanks Cocomino. Yes me too, I believe I could easily stay also for days in Chamonix or in the area …

      I do like Europe, my roots are here, but also do have a strong interest for Asia. What I meant is, Chamonix is absolutely an exceptional place and is by far my favorite in Europe.
      Maybe in a few month, I might tell you that my other favorite place is in the North of Sweden (I will be there in August for a camping trip with my son:) ).

    • Hi Sam,

      thanks a lot. Yes it’s a big big shame….I really wish to stay longer ….but well I hope to get there before the end of the year for a longer period ….

      Have a great day ahead !

    • Cham is absolutely a gorgeous place…but I hope to tell you more later on this year ! Thanks for your comment :)