Chamonix or Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is a town in the Auvergene Rhone Alps region of France. The town sits north of Mont Blanc in the French Alps and is popular as a leisure and adventure destination. Some of the best things to do in Chamonix, France revolve around exploring the Alps and its treasures.
The town is surrounded by skiing slopes, glaciers, forests, grasslands, and snow-clad mountains. While there are quite a few interesting places to visit in Chamonix, the mountains are the main attraction. You not only get to see the French Alps, but also the mountains in Italy and Switzerland. Owing to its location, it was the site of the very first Winter Olympics. Gradually it became a major winter resort destination. You can enjoy a variety of winter activities to do in Chamonix including skiing, snowboarding, tobogganing, snow-shoe hikes, and more.
However, its popularity is not limited to the snowy months. In summer, Chamonix sightseeing is charming and colourful. You get to explore more of the Alps. Some of the most beautiful things to see in Chamonix only open up during summer.
These include mountain lakes, glaciers, forests, rocky terrains, and grasslands. The warmer months also open up magical Chamonix tourist attractions like the Ice Cave and Glaciorium in the Mer de Glace glacier.
Here you get to explore the mesmerizing beauty within the glaciers. You can also follow the hike trails along various glaciers if you visit Chamonix in summer. These trails often have amazing viewpoints as well as mountain lodges with cafes and restaurants. It is a great place to enjoy a meal with a fantastic view.
While people can enjoy skiing in Chamonix in winter, the summertime is not devoid of adventure. You can enjoy hiking, river rafting, mountain climbing, hydrospeed and more. Paragliding, skydiving, and helicopter tours are also some of the fun things to do in Chamonix in summer. You can enjoy these activities in winter as well, but only if the weather permits.
While exploring the Alps, people often forget to enjoy the charm of Chamonix itself. It is a beautiful town with its own unique culture. Take some time to roam the streets, explore the markets, and dine on local cuisine. The culture of the town is a blend of French and Swiss cultures with flavours of Italy as well. You will experience this in the food, dance, music, and architecture.
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Top 26 Tourist Places to Visit in Chamonix, France
1. Paragliding over the Alps
The Alpine Mountains are among the most beautiful things to see in Chamonix. You can explore them hiking to get up close or admire them from a distant observation point. But, these views do not do justice to the majestic scale of the landscape.
For that, you need to fly above the Alps like a bird. Paragliding is among the best things to do in Chamonix in summer. You get breathtaking views and the thrill of flying over the mountains. You can also get this experience during winter depending on the weather.
The flights are usually about 20 minutes long. But, you also need to account for the preparation and training time. Overall, you will need an hour for this experience when you visit Chamonix.
I suggest you should book your Paragliding Tandem Flight over the Alps in advance.
2. Skiing
When there are mountains and snow, skiing seems inevitable. Many people frequently travel to Chamonix just to ski down snow slopes. Some of the most popular skiing areas in the Mont Blanc Valley are Le Brevent, Les Grands-Motents, Le Houchens, and La Flegere.
You can also get to choose from a variety of ski resorts with various fun activities to do in Chamonix for leisure, cultural experiences, and entertainment. Many places also have training sessions and workshops for beginners.
Even if you do not know how to ski or snowboard, you can learn the slopes. People usually stay a few days at ski resorts to enjoy winter activities in Chamonix.
If you are in Geneva then from there you can go for a Full-Day Skiing Trip or if you are at another place then I suggest you should get a Two-Days Skiing Pass in advance.
3. Chamonix Village
The charming and colourful town is a delight to explore. It is not too big, so you should enjoy a few random strolls during Chamonix sightseeing. The Alpine town features unique architecture and every building gets a backdrop of glorious mountains.
This pocket of French-Alpine culture is also interesting to explore for the restaurants, cafes, wineries, and shops. The boutique stores sell a variety of local handicraft items and food products.
You can also try out regional delicacies, street food, and desserts. Such aimless strolls are one of the top things to do in Chamonix, France, and often get overlooked. You should take an hour or so during your tour just to enjoy the town.
4. Mont Blanc
Rising more than 4000 meters above sea level, Mont Blanc is the highest of the Alps. The majestic mountain is home to the best places to visit in Chamonix and around it. You can admire the mountain from the town and the viewpoints nearby.
Mont Blanc is home to a variety of terrains and there are numerous ways to explore it. You can go hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, trekking, mountain climbing, river rafting, and more. During winter, you can go skiing, snowboarding, snow-shoe hikes, snowmobile rides, and sledge rides.
People can also take to the sky to admire Mount Blanc. There are paragliding and helicopter tours to take a bird-eye view of the mountain. The mountain is also home to numerous Chamonix tourist attractions. You can easily dedicate a couple of days just to explore the wonders of Mont Blanc.
5. Lac des Gaillands
This lake sits in the Mont Blac Valley and is only a few minutes drive from Chamonix. It is popular for nature trails, hiking, and picnics. The lake has beautiful scenery all around it.
It is surrounded by forest on all sides with a backdrop of snow-clad mountains. The lake is one of the most popular Chamonix attractions for day-trip picnics. You can easily spend an hour or more here.
6. Panoramic Mont Blanc / Aiguille du Midi Cable Car Ride
This cable runs from Aiguille du Midi in France to Pointe Helbronner in Italy. It’s a 5 km international trip with an insanely unreal view of mountains and glaciers throughout the journey. It is one of the best things to do in Chamonix, Mont Blanc.
While the journey is beautiful either of the destinations is equally amazing. The Aiguille du Midi is a popular peak with several places to see near Chamonix. From this one observation station, you can see the Alps spanning three countries: France, Italy, and Switzerland. You will need about half a day to enjoy this trip and peak when you visit Chamonix in Mont Blanc.
I suggest you should book a Round Trip Ticket for Aiguille du Midi Cable Car in advance.
7. Step into the Void
The Void is a unique experience. It is a glass box at the edge of Aiguille du Midi station. The top, bottom, and sides are all transparent. You are basically hanging off a cliff about 1000 meters high.
It is one of the best places to visit in Chamonix, France for various reasons. The views are incredible and there is this eerie thrill of floating and fear of falling. You literally have no ground underneath you except the glass. This entire rollercoaster of emotions happens in a glass box. You should take a few minutes from Chamonix travel to enjoy it.
8. Montenvers Railway Ride & Station
This pretty red train was inaugurated in 1910 and is still one of the biggest tourist attractions in Chamonix. You will travel about 5 km in retro-style train carriages from Mont Blanc to Montenvers. Along the way, you will get to enjoy views of valleys and glaciers.
When you reach Montenvers you will see panoramic views of the Alps. The station also has a few restaurants where you can dine while enjoying the views. From here you can head for fun activities in Chamonix. There are ice caves and Glaciers to explore. There are also ski resorts for winter activities. You can spend an entire day exploring Montenvers.
9. The Mer de Glace – Ice Cave & Glaciorium
Also known as the Sea of Ice, Mer de Glace is the biggest glacier in France. It stretches for 7 km and goes about 200 meters deep. You can admire the scale of the glacier from viewpoints in Montenvers. It is one of the most magnificent things to see in Chamonix, France. But, there is an even more magical experience in its depths. The Ice Cave!
I suggest you should book a Tour to The Mer de Glace in advance.
10. Ice Cave
The Ice Cave takes you to the depths of the glacier and you can explore it from within. You will see the beautiful ways in which nature sculpts the ice. The light moving into the cave creates beautiful colours, textures, and patterns. It truly feels like a fantasy land. This experience alone makes it one of the best places to visit in Chamonix, Mont Blanc. But there is so much more to experience here.
The Ice Cave is carved every year. It also functions as an art exhibition featuring mesmerizing ice sculptures. The Gallery of Crystals holds a collection of unique ice and crystal specimens from Mont Blanc. You will need at least an hour to explore the Ice Cave. If you gain further interest in glaciers, check out the Glaciorium too.
11. Glaciorium
This museum, just like the Ice Cave, is carved every year. It is entirely dedicated to the study of Glaciers. The museum stays open between June and September. It is one of the best things to do in Chamonix in summer. It tells you the entire story of the Mer de Glace glacier and its behaviour.
The museum also takes an educational deep dive into the effects of climate on the glaciers and how they serve as indicators of a changing environment. It too is carved into the glacier, so you will enjoy a similar magical experience as the Ice Cave. And at the same time, you will get to know about the mysteries of the mountains. You will need about an hour or so to tour this museum.
12. Le Brevent Cable Car
This cable car takes you to the skiing slopes and mountain destinations of Mount Brevent. The ride itself is included among Chamonix attractions owing to the beautiful 360 views of the mountains.
If the weather serves right, you will also see people paragliding over the mountains from the gondola. The destination is also equally exciting with numerous fun things to do in Chamonix in winter waiting for you there.
The cable car station has an open-air restaurant to dine with mountain views. You can also head to ski slopes for all the winter activities. And you can go paragliding over the Alps from this mountain-top station. These activities easily make up for an entire day of excitement.
13. Merlet Animal Park
The animal park creates a wildlife exploration experience. It is spread over 21 hectares, but the animals are not bound by fences. You will get to roam around the forest and grasslands to see them going about their business. It is among the best places to go in Chamonix for families. The animals will often lift their heads and look at you.
The park is home to mountain goats, rams, deer, rabbits, foxes, cats, and more. The beauty of this place is that it looks completely different in summer and winter. Even the animals behave differently in these seasons.
The park also has many fun activities to do in Chamonix. You can enjoy picnics alongside the animals and even pet some of them. It is truly a memorable experience and you would need about 2 hours to experience it.
14. Chamonix Amusement Park
This park is full of games, rides, and activities for children. There are carousels, water games, go-karting, trampolines, jet boats, and more. The park also has rides for adults and activity areas for families. If you travel to Chamonix with children, this is a good place to spend an hour or so. The park is also home to the famous Alpine Coaster. And that is a major attraction for people of all ages.
15. Chamonix Luge Alpine Coaster
This toboggan coaster stretches for 1300 meters of thrill. It is open all seasons and is one of the most popular Chamonix tourist attractions. You will pass through snowy landscapes in winter and grasslands in summer. The ride is exciting regardless of the season. No matter when you visit Chamonix, take time to zoom in on the coaster tracks.
16. Argentiere Glacier
This glacier is well known for two things. Firstly, it creates a beautiful landscape with patterns of blue, white, and grey. Second, it is an ever-looming threat to the village it is named after.
You will visit several viewpoints to admire its majestic beauty during Chamonix sightseeing. However, it is better known for the hiking trails that run by its edges. It is among the top things to do in Chamonix in summer. The trail becomes very difficult to navigate through in the winter months.
You will trail the boundaries of the glacier and even get close to it. Along the trail, you will come across several amazing viewpoints. It is a relatively easy hike trail and you can complete it in 2 to 3 hours.
17. Lac Blanc
This lake sits at an altitude of 2,352 meters and is one of the most beautiful sights in Mont Blanc. It is part of the Aigullies Rouges National Reserve. You can reach her by cable car, followed by a hike.
Grasslands surround the blue lake and you can see the Alps in the backdrop. There are also small lodges on the banks of the lake where you can dine with a view of the lake. It is one of the best places to visit near Chamonix for a day-trip picnic as well. There are several spots on the bank of Lac Blanc. You will need about 2 hours to make this trip from Chamonix.
18. Crystal Museum (Musée des Cristaux)
This museum exhibits a variety of crystals mined from the Mont Blanc valley. It also has a few specimens brought from elsewhere. You will see beautiful and colourful crystals and gemstones of different kinds.
The museum is home to some of the most beautiful things to see in Chamonix, France. Alongside the aesthetic beauty, it is interesting to see how different formations play with the light. You will need 30 to 45 minutes to tour this museum.
19. River Rafting
The streams gushing down Mont Blanc create the perfect conditions for river rafting and white water rafting. If you are looking for adventure activities in Chamonix, this is it. You can enjoy several different grades of river rafting from beginner level to Grade II in Arve River.
If you are up for the thrill and challenge you can also test the waters of Dora Baltea – the highest white water rafting grade in all of Europe. The ride is full of excitement and you feel elated after conquering the gushing waters. You will need at least an hour for this rip-roaring experience when you visit Chamonix, Mont Blanc.
20. Hydrospeed
This is an even more adventurous version of river rafting. You get a floating device attached to your torso. This also acts as the raft. You use your hands to navigate and your legs to paddle. It is a mix between swimming and rafting.
The twist here is that you are doing it in a rapid river. It is one of the best things to do in Chamonix in summer. You do not need to head to the mountains for this adventure. There are several spots to enjoy this sport near Chamonix as well. You will need about an hour or so for a hydrospeed ride.
21. Things to do in Chamonix in Winter
The town sits among the Alps, so naturally there are a variety of winter activities that you can enjoy in Chamonix and around it. The snow-clad mountains, slopes, icy rivers, glaciers, and snow-covered forests set the ground for leisure activities and adventure sports.
Aside from skiing, some of the most popular things to do in Chamonix in winter include snowboarding, tobogganing, snow-tubing, sledging, and more. The snow months also open up interesting ways to explore landscapes.
You can go for snow-shoe hikes, ice-climbing, and snow-mobile rides. People can also try out ice-fishing on frozen lakes. The majority of these winter activities in Chamonix are accessible through ski resorts.
22. Tramway du Mont Blanc
This train ride begins at Saint Gervais and takes you to the Nid d’Aigle. It is the highest cogwheel train in the country and fourth highest in Europe. Alongside the views, the train ride is the only way to reach many of the Chamonix tourist attractions.
The final destination of the train is close to the Bionnassay Glacier, which is a beautiful sight. Along the way, the train stops at many viewpoints and mountain huts. It also stops at some of the entry points for hiking trails. You will need about 2 hours from Chamonix sightseeing for this train ride.
23. Glacier des Bossons
There are very few places to visit near Chamonix where you can enjoy a meal or beverages with the view of a glacier’s tongue looming over you. This is one of them. You can get to Bossons Glacier through a cable car or train ride.
There is a lovely cafe at the bottom of the glacier from where you can admire its beauty. It is also the point of origin for hiking trails that take you closer to the ice giant. You will need about 2 to 3 hours from Chamonix travel to make this trip to Glacier des Bossons.
24. Helicopter Ride
If paragliding is not high enough for you, you should take a helicopter ride to explore the Alps. The copter can take you high over the mountains and glaciers so that you can admire their grandeur. You will even spot some of the Chamonix attractions and see how they look from the sky.
You will also pass over plains, lakes, and grasslands in the Mont Blanc valley. If you pay attention, you might also spot a few deer or mountain goats roaming about. It is one of the best things to do in Chamonix in summer. You can also take a helicopter ride during winter if the weather permits. You will need about an hour or so for a helicopter ride.
25. Skydiving
If a helicopter ride or paragliding isn’t thrilling enough for you, there is always skydiving. You will jump off a helicopter towards the mountain. It is perhaps among the most adventurous things to do in Chamonix, Mont Blanc.
You will see the mountains from above and also get to admire them up close. It’s a two-for-one experience with a whole lot of thrill in between. You will need about 2 hours for this experience.
26. Hiking Trails near Chamonix
Owing to the variety of landscapes, you get to enjoy a variety of hiking trails around Chamonix. The town is surrounded by forests, grasslands, mountain valleys, rocky terrains, and glaciers. You can hike these trails in summer and go for snow-shoe trails during winter.
Some of the most popular trails and hiking destinations around Chamonix include Lac Cornu, Grand Balcon Nord, Lac Noirs, Grand Balcon Sud, Albert Premiere, Lac Blanc, and Aiguillettes des Posettesm. You can take short and easy trails or full-day hikes. All the options are open when you visit Chamonix. You can also take hiking trails around the major glaciers. Although these are only open during summer.
If you are looking for more places to visit or things to do in Chamonix or around it, check out the sections below. We have compiled a complete list of attractions and activities that you enjoy in the Mont Blanc Valley close to the town.
Things to do in Chamonix, France
Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in Chamonix, France
- Glaciorium
- Crystal Museum
- Glacier des Bossons
- Musee des Cristaux
- Eglise Saint Michael
- Alpine Museum
Nature & Wildlife Tourist Spots in Chamonix, France
- Mont Blanc
- Mer de Glace
- Farinet’s Cave
- Argentiere Glacier
- Lac des Gaillands
- Lac Blanc
- La Valle Blanche
- Gorges de la Diosaz
- Les Grands Motents
- Aiguilles Rouges Nature Reserve
- Lac Cornu
- Grand Balcon Nord
- Lac Bleu
- Lac des Cheserys
- Lac Noirs
Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Spots in Chamonix, France
- Ice Cave / Grotte de Glace
- Merlet Animal Park
- Chamonix Amusement Park
- Enter the Void
- Aiguille de Midi
- Panoramic Mont Blanc
- Montenvers
- Le Brevent
- Savoy Wine Tasting
- Domaine des Planards
- La Jonction
- Les Houches
- Elevage de Saint Bernard
- Tunnel du Mont Blanc
- Sentier de la Cascade de Berard
- Chamonix Royal Casino
- Accro Park
Shopping in Chamonix, France
- Centre Commercial Alpina
- Rue du Dr Paccard
- Rue Jospeh Vallot
- Michael Croz Avenue
- Av. du Mont Blanc
Offbeat Places, Tours, & Adventures in Chamonix, France
- Skiing
- Snowboarding
- Helicopter Tour
- Paragliding
- Skydiving
- Snow-shoe Hiking
- Snow-Tubbing
- Hiking
- Mountain Climbing
- Tobogganing
- Ice Climbing
- River Rafting
- Hydrospeed
- Ice-Fishing
Sightseeing in Chamonix, France
- Paccard Statue
- Rue Joseph Vallot
- Point de vue sur L’Arveyon
- Tramway du Mont Blanc
- La Flagere
- Refuge Albert
- Chamonix Cemetery
- Le Petit Train
Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Chamonix, France
- Les Paradis des Praz
- La Chavanne
- The Needless Creamery
- Le Delice
- Josephine
- L’Impossible
- Casbianco
- Albert 1er
- Le Cap Horn
- Casa Valerio
- Granges d’en Haut
- Le 3842
- Mumma
- Le Panier des 4 Saisons
- Munchie
- Poco Loco
- La Caleche
- Chez Constant
- Casa Valerio
- The Jekyll
- Bizes
- Le Comptoir des Alpes
- La Cabane des Praz
- La Maison Carrier
Where to Stay in Chamonix?
Here we have listed Top Rated Luxurious, Mid-Range, and Budget Hotels in Chamonix. You can check below listed hotels for your perfect stay in Chamonix.
Luxurious Hotels
- Hotel Mont-Blanc
- Le Hameau Albert 1er
- Auberge du Manoir
- Alpina Eclectic Hotel & Spa
- Heliopic Hotel & Spa
- Refuge du Montenvers
- Hotel Le Faucigny
- Hotel Le Morgane
- Park Hotel Suisse & Spa
- Chalet Hotel Le Prieure & Spa
Mid-Range Hotels
- RockyPop Chamonix – Les Houches
- Excelsior Chamonix Hotel & Spa
- hotel Le Saint Antoine
- Hotel de l’Arveyron
- Hotel de l’Arve
- Hotel Croix-Blanche
- Hotel du Clocher Villa savoy
- Hotel la Vallee Blanche
- Cosmiques Hotel
- Le Dahu Hotel
Budget Hotels
- Vert Lodge
- RockyPop Chamonix – Les Houches
- hotel Le Saint Antoine
- Chamonix Lodge
- Hotel Les Campanules
Custom Tours Package in Chamonix
How to Reach Chamonix, France?
By Air
The closest major airports to reach Chamonix are Lyon and Geneva. These airports receive flights from several cities in Europe as well as a few cities in Asia and North America. You can also visit Chamonix via Chambery Savoie Mont Blanc airport. This airport receives direct flights from London, Exeter, Birmingham, Edinburgh, East Midlands, Glasgow, and Bristol.
Then you can opt for a road journey to Chamonix. However, if you have enough money to spare, you can also take a direct helicopter ride to the mountain town.
By Road
You can get direct trains to the Chamonix station from several destinations. You can get trains from Lyon, Geneva, London, Paris, Chambery, Bellegrade, and Bourg-Saint Maurice to visit Chamonix. You can also get buses to reach Chamonix from several cities in France, Switzerland, and Italy.
If you are planning to get to Chamonix by road, you should head for routes D1506 or N205. The town sits at the intersection of these routes.
By Water
There are no direct water routes to travelling to Chamonix.
Image Reference
- Paragliding over the Alps – JackieLou DL / PixaBay
- Skiing – Josef Pichler / PixaBay
- Chamonix Village – Guilhem Vellut / Flickr
- Mont Blanc – Simon / PixaBay
- Lac des Gaillands – Tony Fernandez / Flickr
- Panoramic Mont Blanc / Aiguille du Midi Cable Car Ride – Simon / PixaBay
- Step into the Void – Erasumen / Wikimedia Commons
- Montenvers Railway Ride & Station – Calips / Wikimedia Commons
- The Mer de Glace – Ice Cave & Glaciorium – SNappa2006 / Flickr
- The Ice Cave – Tulipanos / Wikimedia Commons
- Glaciorium – Tiia Monto / Wikimedia Commons
- Le Brevent Cable Car – kaysgeog / Flickr
- Merlet Animal Park – Enrico Razzetti / Flickr
- Chamonix Amusement Park – Ryan B / Flickr
- Chamonix Luge Alpine Coaster –
- Argentiere Glacier – Masa Sakano / Flickr
- Lac Blanc – Fred Bigio / Flickr
- Crystal Museum (Musée des Cristaux) –
- River Rafting – Jacek Rużyczka / Wikimedia Commons
- Hydrospeed –
- Things to do in Chamonix in Winter – DanaTentis / PixaBay
- Tramway du Mont Blanc – thierry llansades / Flickr
- Glacier des Bossons – Tony Fernandez / Flickr
- Helicopter Ride – G.C. / PixaBay
- Skydiving – Nicoleta Nastace / PixaBay
- Hiking Trails near Chamonix – Rick McCharles / Flickr
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