Bonjour! Welcome to Chamonix, a breathtaking destination in the heart of the French Alps, where Mont Blanc and other towering peaks dominate the landscape. This small but vibrant alpine village is a haven for outdoor lovers, offering everything from exciting adventures to cozy restaurants and stylish hotels. But what truly sets Chamonix apart are the unforgettable views at every step! So if you’re dreaming of an alpine escape, Chamonix will be the perfect place for your next adventure. Without further ado, let’s dive into amazing things to do in Chamonix in the summer!
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Chamonix, France FAQ
Chamonix is located in the Haute-Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in France. The town sits in a valley, at the foot of Western Europe’s highest mountain, Mont Blanc, at an altitude of 1035m a.s.l.
Chamonix has been a world-renowned ski resort ever since it hosted the first Winter Olympics in 1924. The area offers several ski areas suited to all levels, from beginners to extreme skiers. But Chamonix isn’t just about winter sports—it’s also famous for scenic hiking trails and the spectacular cable car ride to the Aiguille du Midi, where you can admire Mont Blanc up close.
Absolutely! Chamonix is a gem of the Haute-Savoie, and whether you’re planning a day trip, a weekend getaway, or a longer holiday, this alpine destination is totally worth a visit. Think snow-capped peaks, glaciers, breathtaking views, a wide range of outdoor activities, and the unforgettable chance to stand face-to-face with Mont Blanc itself! There’s no shortage of things to do in Chamonix, and every traveler is sure to find something they’ll love.
Chamonix is located at an altitude of 1035m a.s.l.
Chamonix is a small town, and you can see most of its main attractions in one day. But if you have more time to spare, we recommend staying a bit longer – from 3 to 7 days. That way, you can explore the village at a relaxed pace, visit all the major attractions, enjoy a few hikes, and still leave room for some well-deserved relax.
The best time to visit Chamonix depends on your preferences. Do you prefer skiing or hiking? Cold and snowy or warm and green? Winter is ideal for skiing, snowboarding, and other winter activities. Summer is perfect for hiking, climbing, and mountain biking. Spring and autumn are quieter seasons – fewer crowds, milder weather, and a slower pace, perfect for a more relaxed visit.
Explore Chamonix Old Town
One of the best things to do in Chamonix, no matter the season, is to stroll among its charming and colorful old town. It’s located in a valley at the foot of Mont Blanc, between the peaks of the Aiguilles Rouges and Aiguille du Midi mountains. Chamonix’s old town blends a traditional alpine charm, at times intertwined with modern architecture. Take your time, get lost among the streets, and just enjoy the charm of Chamonix’s old town and mind-blowing mountain views that surround you at every turn.
Your main points of interest in Chamonix Old Town:
- Rue du Docteur Paccard & Place Balmat – the town’s main street and square, full of outdoor sports shops, fashion boutiques, stylish traditional restaurants, and many quaint buildings
- Place de l’Eglise – featuring a lovely Baroque church of Saint Bernard du Mont-Blanc.
Chamonix Tourist Office is located in the heart of the old town, on Place du Triangle de l’Amitié, right next to Saint Bernard du Mont-Blanc church.
Discover: Accommodation options in Chamonix
Visit the Aiguille du Midi
Aiguille du Midi Cable Car
Aiguille du Midi, standing at 3842 meters, is one of the most iconic peaks in the French Alps. And it can be reached by cable car! In just 20 minutes, the Aiguille du Midi cable car will take you from the Chamonix old town up to the high mountains, bringing you to the closest point you can get near Mont Blanc without hiking. This top thing to do in Chamonix gives you an incredible opportunity to stand face-to-face with mighty Mont Blanc itself, offering unforgettable views. This experience is worth every penny.
The ride from Chamonix to the Aiguille du Midi consists of two parts. The first part of the ride starts in Chamonix’s old town and in just a few minutes reaches the Plan de l’Aiguille, at 2310m a.s.l. Then, after a short break, the ride continues right up to the summit of the Aiguille du Midi (3842m).
Interesting fact. Aiguille du Midi cable car is the highest mountain peak with an aerial lift system! It also holds the world record for the highest vertical ascent: 2807m (from 1035m to 3842m).
Aiguille du Midi Summit
From the terraces located at the top of the Aiguille du Midi, you’ll be treated with breathtaking panoramic views of Mont Blanc, along with the surrounding peaks of the French, Swiss, and Italian Alps. At the upper station, you’ll also find educational areas, a restaurant, a gift shop, and toilets.
If you are a thrill-seeker, don’t miss the famous ‘Step Into a Void’ and look down from a glass box suspended over a 1000-meter drop. It’s an unforgettable experience in Chamonix that will get your heart racing! And if you are a skier, you’ll be interested to know that the Aiguille Midi summit is also a starting point for the legendary Vallée Blanche descent. Whether you’re in Aiguille du Midi for views, adventure, or a bit of both, visiting this spot is one of the most incredible things to do in Chamonix.
Book now: Chamonix, Mont Blanc & Ice Cave Guided Day Tour From Geneva
Return to Chamonix
You can return to Chamonix the same way – by cable car. On the way down (or up), we advise you to take a longer stop at Plan de l’Aiguille. There you can sit on a stone or grass, have a picnic, and simply enjoy the views. You can also take a quick hike to Lac Bleu, located only 1km from the cable car station. If you’re up to it, you can also walk down to Chamonix from Plan de l’Aiguille, just follow the signs.
Also visit nearby: 10+ Things To Do In Annecy, France
Aiguille du Midi practical information
Here are things you need to know before visiting Aiguille du Midi:
- Bring warm clothes, sunglasses, and sun cream
- Be aware of the possibility of altitude sickness
- The visit is forbidden for children under 3 years old and not recommended for children under 5 years old
- Dogs are not allowed
- Drones are not allowed
- The visit lasts on average about 3 hours
Aiguille du Midi Chamonix tickets
Round trip to Aiguille du Midi costs €78 for adults, and €66.3 for children and seniors (May 2025). Remember to buy your tickets in advance online at the montblancnaturalresort.com website.
The Aiguille du Midi is open most of the year. It’s only closed due to bad weather conditions and for annual maintenance, which happens in autumn. Times and frequency of departures vary on the time of year.
If you want to see more than only Aiguille du Midi you can take advantage of Mont Blanc Multipass and save a buck. You can choose your pass from 1-9 days or even the whole season. To learn more about it and see the prices visit montblancnaturalresort.com website.
Ride to Glacier Mer de Glace
Visiting Mer de Glace, the glacier discovered in the 19th century, is the second most popular thing to in Chamonix. Its name can be translated to “Sea of ice”, which is a very accurate name as it’s 7 km long, and 200m deep. Mer de Glace is the largest and longest glacier in France, and one of the largest in Europe.
The easiest way to get there is by taking the Montenvers railway, an old-fashioned red train on steroids. To be able to climb bigger than usual slopes it has a special mechanism built in, and it requires a third, toothed rail. The train departs from Chamonix’s old town and in 20 minutes reaches Mer de Glace. On site, you can also visit the Ice Cave and Glaciarium exhibition. This experience lasts about 2-3 hours.
You can buy train tickets separately or use the Mont Blanc Multipass. Single tickets cost €39.5 for an adult and €33.6 for children and seniors (May 2025). To learn more visit the montblancnaturalresort.com website.
Discover: Accommodation options in Chamonix
Explore local attractions
How to get to Chamonix, France?
Chamonix is located about 620km from Paris, 80km from Geneva, 100km from Annecy, 110km from Evian-Les-Bains, and 220km from Lyon. The most convenient way to get to Chamonix is by car or train.
Where to park in Chamonix?
There are a few parking lots available in Chamonix, mostly paid ones, but it’s possible to leave your car for free, especially if you arrive early in the morning. We left our car in this parking lot, just about a 10min walk to the entrance to Aiguille du Midi cable car.
Airports near Chamonix
The closest airports to Chamonix are in Geneva, Switzerland (100km away), Turin, Italy (170km away), and Lyon (220km away). All airports offer bus and train connections with Chamonix. Check the connections you are interested in on rome2rio.com website. At each airport, you can also rent a car for a faster and more comfortable journey.
For great car rental deals visit: Rentalcars
To Chamonix by bus
You can also get to Chamonix by bus. For example, the journey from Annecy will take about 1.5 hours, 2 hours from Geneva, and 6 hours from Lyon. To learn more about bus connections that interest you, visit the rome2rio.com website.
To Chamonix by train
France is well connected by trains. For example, the trip from Geneva lasts about 4 hours, and 3.5 hours from Annecy. To learn more about train connections that interest you, visit sncf-connect.com visit rome2rio.com website.
Camping in Chamonix
If you’re traveling by camper, places like Camping de la Mer de Glace, Camping du Glacier D’Argentiere, or Camping Le Grand Champ might interest you. They are located in or near Chamonix.
To Chamonix with an organized tour
If you don’t want to put too much effort into planning, you can always take advantage of the guided tours and let someone else take care of all the details. If you’re staying in or near Geneva, you can take part in this well-rated Chamonix, Mont Blanc & Ice Cave Guided Day Tour. Looking for some thrill and adrenaline rush? Take part in this unforgettable Paragliding Tandem Flight over the Alps in Chamonix experience!
For a wide selection and well-reviewed tour options GetYourGuide and Viator websites.
Things to do in Chamonix – Summing up
All right, so now you know all about the best things to do in Chamonix – from wandering the charming old town to standing high in the mountain at Aiguille du Midi. Whether you’re visiting for a day, a weekend, or planning a longer Alpine escape, we’re sure you’ll fall in love with this breathtaking mountain town and its surroundings. Just a heads-up: chances are high that in Chamonix you’ll be picking your jaw up off the floor more than once!
Our opinion about Chamonix
For us, a visit to Chamonix was a day trip from Thonon-Les-Bains, where we lived for a few weeks. We visited the town in mid-June, and during that time, there were already quite a lot of visitors, especially in Aiguille du Midi. But it wasn’t surprising at all – it’s one of the most popular attractions in Chamonix!
What can we say, we loved our day in Chamonix. Aiguille du Midi, Mont Blanc at our fingertips, and spectacular views were unbeatable. An amazing experience worth every penny! Eating lunch in Plan de l’Aiguille with magnificent views also stayed in our memories. Chamonix’s old town was very pleasant to discover, but after being almost at the top of Europe, it didn’t make an electrifying impression. Without a doubt, it’s one of our favorite places in France from which we have great memories. And we’ll gladly come back one day!
Book now: Paragliding Tandem Flight over the Alps in Chamonix
Restaurants, accommodations, and map
Check out various recommended places below.
Where to eat in Chamonix?
Here are your best, high-rated options in Chamonix:
Where to sleep in Chamonix?
Les Campanules
Les Campanules is a charming and cozy hotel in Chamonix, featuring comfortable and well-equipped rooms with mountain views and a lovely garden terrace. Its location in the heart of the town, close to the ski slopes and hiking trails, make it an ideal base for outdoor enthusiasts looking to explore the surrounding area.
Chalet-Hôtel Hermitage
Chalet-Hôtel Hermitage is a luxurious and elegant hotel in Chamonix, offering beautifully decorated rooms with stunning mountain views and a range of upscale amenities, including a spa, a restaurant, and a cozy lounge with a fireplace. Its prime location in the center of Chamonix and its proximity to the ski slopes make it a perfect destination for a romantic and indulgent getaway.
Hotel Les Lanchers
Hotel Les Lanchers is a cozy and welcoming hotel in Chamonix, featuring comfortable rooms with balconies offering breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. Its location in the quiet and picturesque Les Praz neighborhood, just a short walk from the ski lifts, makes it an ideal base for a relaxing and peaceful mountain getaway.
