Chamonix

Aiguille du Midi

Centre – Aiguille du Midi

A rock spire at 3,842m, reached from the centre by a cable car built in 1955 with a change at Plan de l'Aiguille. At the top are terraces looking out to Mont Blanc, a lift to the highest viewpoint, and the glass Pas dans le Vide box, where you stand over a 1,000m drop. In summer, gondolas run from here across the glacier into Italy.

Tip: Buy your ticket online with a set departure time; in summer the ticket office queue can be a 2-hour wait. The first cable car at 7:30am is best — the views are clear and there are 10 people in the queue for Pas dans le Vide instead of 100. It's below freezing at the top even in August, so bring a jacket and hat, and skip the trip on your first day up because of the altitude.

Admission:

return from €79

Time needed:

half a day

Mer de Glace and the Montenvers Railway

Mer de Glace

Montenvers

France's largest glacier, 7km long, reached since 1908 by a red rack railway from Chamonix station to Montenvers station at 1,913m. From there, paths lead down to the glacier and an ice cave, carved afresh every year. The Glaciorium museum explains how the glacier is shrinking.

Tip: The glacier has dropped 120m over the past 30 years, and reaching the cave today means over 500 steps — signs along the way mark where the ice used to be, and it's the most striking part of the trip. Allow an extra hour for the descent and climb back up. It's also possible to walk up from Chamonix through the forest in 2.5 hours and take the train back down.

Admission:

return €40 including the ice cave

Time needed:

3 h

Le Brévent

Brévent

A summit at 2,525m on the opposite side of the valley from Mont Blanc, reached by gondola and cable car directly from the town centre. It offers the best frontal view of the entire Mont Blanc massif with its glaciers and spires. In winter, Le Brévent is linked to the Flégère area and has runs for all levels.

Tip: The view of Mont Blanc is better from Le Brévent in the afternoon, when the sun lights up the massif, while the Aiguille du Midi is better in the morning — combine the two accordingly. The terrace at Le Panoramic restaurant makes for lunch with a view, and in summer this is a launch spot for paragliding. Walking down via Planpraz takes 2.5 hours.

Admission:

return €38

Time needed:

half a day

Lac Blanc

Aiguilles Rouges

A mountain lake at 2,352m in the Aiguilles Rouges, which on a calm day reflects the whole Mont Blanc massif. It's the valley's most popular hike: from the top station of the Index or Flégère cable car, the trail takes 1.5–2 hours. A hut with overnight beds stands by the lake.

Tip: For the hike, take the first cable car and walk from Flégère via the Lacs des Chéserys — the route is 15 minutes longer but quieter, with better views. The final stretch has ladders across rocks; for small children or dogs the direct route from Index is easier. The lake doesn't thaw until late June.

Admission:

Flégère cable car return €30

Time needed:

5 h

Vallée Blanche

Aiguille du Midi – Chamonix

A 20km off-piste run from the Aiguille du Midi down the Géant and Mer de Glace glaciers to Chamonix, with a 2,700m descent. It isn't groomed but crosses a crevassed glacier, and the hardest part is the narrow ridge below the cable car station. For experienced skiers, it's one of the most famous runs in the world.

Tip: Only done with a mountain guide; the cost for a group of 4 is around €150 per person plus the cable car. The season runs from late January to April, depending on snow. The hardest part isn't the descent but the ridge from the cable car, walked with skis on your back and secured by rope — anyone prone to vertigo should think twice.

Admission:

guide from €150 per person

Time needed:

full day

Tramway du Mont-Blanc

Saint-Gervais

France's highest rack railway, running since 1909 from Saint-Gervais-le-Fayet up to Nid d'Aigle at 2,372m. From here begins the classic route to the summit of Mont Blanc, though most passengers ride up for the view of the Bionnassay Glacier and a walk across the mountain meadows.

Tip: The Mont-Blanc Express train runs from Chamonix to Saint-Gervais in 30 minutes, which can be combined into a full-day trip. From Nid d'Aigle, an hour's walk leads to the Bionnassay Glacier and is noticeably quieter than hikes around Chamonix. In winter the tram only runs to Bellevue and serves skiers.

Admission:

return €42

Time needed:

half a day

Grands Montets and Argentière

Argentière

A ski area above the village of Argentière at the upper end of the valley, known for steep slopes and freeriding up to 3,200m. The north-facing side gets more snow and it lasts longer. Argentière itself is a quiet village with a mountaineering tradition and a glacier visible from the square.

Tip: Grands Montets is for advanced skiers; beginners head to Le Tour or Les Houches. A morning bus runs to Argentière, and the car park by the cable car fills up by 9am.

Admission:

day ski pass from €65

Time needed:

full day

Alpine Museum

Musée Alpin

Centre

A museum in the former Chamonix Palace Hotel telling the story of how a mountain village became the mecca of mountaineering: early ascents, climbing gear from wooden ice axes to nylon ropes, the history of tourism, and the 1924 Winter Olympics. It holds original documents and paintings.

Tip: Admission is included in the Pass Musées, which also covers the Maison de la Mémoire and the Espace Tairraz crystal museum in Montenvers. On a rainy day, along with the cinema, it's about the only indoor thing to see in the valley. Open in the afternoons, closed Tuesdays.

Admission:

€6

Time needed:

1 h

Town Centre and Place Balmat

Centre

Chamonix's pedestrianised centre along the Arve river, with outdoor-brand shops, bakeries and cafés. On Place Balmat stands a bronze statue of Jacques Balmat pointing out Mont Blanc to Professor Saussure, who had offered a reward for the first ascent. The Church of St Michael and the 1821 Compagnie des Guides office stand on the square.

Tip: The Compagnie des Guides office posts the weather and avalanche forecast on a board every summer afternoon — it's the best source of information in the valley, and it's free. Every Saturday morning there's a market on Place du Mont-Blanc selling cheese, cured meats and bread from local producers.

Admission:

free

Time needed:

1–2 h