Chamonix is a ski resort in the French Alps. It makes for a great day trip from Geneva. But honestly, one should stay in Chamonix for at least a few days to enjoy its beauty and experience all that it has to offer. It is ideal for both summer and winter as the activities on offer are unique to the season.
Everytime I landed in Geneva, I noticed at arrivals, the various signs for buses to Chamonix. It intrigued me and finally last year when one of my friends Blanca went to Chamonix on a skiing trip, I knew I had to go and see what it was all about.
You can either take a bus from Geneva airport or the Train from Geneva Cornavin to Saint Gervais-les-Bains or Martigny and take the Mont Blanc express to Chamonix. The journey through the alpine forest region is spectacular.
There is plenty to do during the summer. Chamonix is in a valley surrounded by Mont Blanc (4810 m), Montenvers, Aiguille du Midi (3842 m), Brevant (2525 m) and many other mountains. Each has its own charm and various treks and hikes that one can do. Best is take the Mont Blanc pass if one plans to do more than one moutain in a day. There are cable cars and ski lifts that go to the various summits and from Aiguille du Midi one can even do the ride to Italy. Aiguille du Midi is also the best point to gaze at Mont Blanc up close and personal.
The other interesting thing to do would be to take the Montenvers rack railway which starts from Chamonix and, in 20 minutes and in total safety, reaches the bottom of the Mer de Glace (1,913 m), France’s largest glacier (7km long, 200 m thick). This historic site marked the start of Alpine tourism in the 19th century and offers a panoramic view of famous peaks such as Les Drus and Les Grandes Jorasses.
The tour of the “Grotte de glace” (Ice Cave) takes visitors into the very heart of the glacier. Re-sculpted every year, it describes the life of mountain people in the early 19th century. It can be entered either by a walk of around 20 minutes on a footpath, or by gondola lift. Unfortunately, due to shortage of time, I was unable to visit the Ice cave.
The “Galerie des cristaux” (Crystals Gallery) with its collection of items from Mont Blanc and the “Musée de la faune alpine” (Alpine Wildlife Museum) are also included in the tour.
Check out http://www.chamonix.com/ for more information.
Pretty church
Typical alpine village
Streams running through the town
Picturesque
Cable car to Le Brevant
Paragliding seems to be a major summer activity here.
The slopes of Le Brevant as viewed from the highest point
Me against the beautiful Mont Blanc summit
Aiguille du Midi
Mont Blanc - Up close and personal
The highest point of Aiguille du Midi
These guys have guts
This is where one can actually attempt to start their climb to Mont Blanc.
It is also where one can take a cable car across to Italy.
I admire these brave souls
Mer de glace
The famous glacier
Cable cars to the Ice cave
