Chamonix (Mont-Blanc)
The most serious mountain town in the Alps, and it does not pretend otherwise
Chamonix sits under Mont Blanc, hosted the first Winter Olympics in 1924, and is where mountaineering was invented. The skiing is steep, the valley is a town rather than a resort, and the Aiguille du Midi cable car is an astonishing piece of engineering.
Alpinism began here. The first ascent of Mont Blanc in 1786 by Balmat and Paccard made the valley the centre of a new sport, and the Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix, founded in 1821, is still the oldest and largest guiding company in the world. The 1924 Winter Olympics — the first — were held here. All of which means Chamonix is a real town with a mountaineering culture rather than a resort built for holidays, and the difference is immediately obvious.
The skiing is not one mountain but several separate areas up and down the valley, which is the thing to understand before booking: Les Grands Montets at Argentière for the steep stuff, Le Brévent and La Flégère facing Mont Blanc for the views and the sun, Le Tour at the valley head for gentler terrain, and Les Houches for trees and bad weather. A bus or train links them and the lift pass covers them, but you move between them rather than skiing from one to the next.
The Aiguille du Midi cable car climbs from the town to 3,842 metres in two stages and is one of the great mountain journeys anywhere — a terrace, a tunnel, a glass box stepping into space, and the Vallée Blanche descent beginning from a knife-edge ridge below. That descent, roughly 20 kilometres of glacier off-piste down to Chamonix or Montenvers, needs a guide and crevasse awareness; it is not a run, and people treat it as one at their peril.
Where People Live
Chamonix centre
The pedestrian core: the Maison de la Montagne, the guides' office, the Aiguille du Midi and Brévent lifts, and the restaurants along the Arve.
Argentière
Up-valley: the base for Les Grands Montets, a quieter village and the serious-skier end of the valley.
Les Praz & Les Bois
Between the two: the Flégère lift, the golf course, and the quiet chalets with the best Mont Blanc views.
Les Houches
Down-valley: trees, sun, gentler terrain and the best place to be when the weather closes in up top.
Where to stay
Hôtel Mont-Blanc Chamonix (Mont-Blanc)
62 All. du Majestic, 74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France · hotelmontblancchamonix.com
Les Grands Montets Hotel & Spa Chamonix (Mont-Blanc)
340 Chem. des Arberons, 74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France · hotel-grands-montets.com
BIG SKY HOTEL & SPA
59 Rte de vers le Nant, 74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France · bigsky-hotel.com
Plan B Hotel
196 Av. de Courmayeur, 74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France · planb-chamonix.com
Cosmiques hôtel, bar, coffee-shop - Centre Chamonix Chamonix (Mont-Blanc)
37 Imp. des Rhododendrons, 74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France · cosmiqueschamonix.com
Grand Hôtel des Alpes Chamonix (Mont-Blanc)
75 Rue du Dr Paccard, 74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France · grandhoteldesalpes.com
Heliopic Hotel & Spa
610 Rte Blanche, 74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France · heliopic.com
Hôtel du Clocher Chamonix (Mont-Blanc)
110 Imp. de l'Androsace, 74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France · hotelclocher.com
La Chaumière Mountain Lodge Chamonix (Mont-Blanc)
322 Rte des Gaillands, 74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France · chaumierelodge.com
Hôtel de La Couronne Chamonix (Mont-Blanc)
285 Rue Charlet Straton, 74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France · hotelcouronne.com
Hôtel Lyret Chamonix (Mont-Blanc)
96 Rue du Lyret, 74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France · hotel-lyret.com
Lykke Hôtel & Spa Chamonix (Mont-Blanc)
39 Rue des Allobroges, 74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France · lykkechamonix.com
Pointe Isabelle Chamonix (Mont-Blanc)
165 Av. Michel Croz, 74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France · pointeisabelle.com
Hôtel - Bar Les Lanchers à Chamonix Chamonix (Mont-Blanc)
1459 Rte des Praz, 74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France · lanchers.com
Hôtel Le Chamonix Chamonix (Mont-Blanc)
11 Rue de l'Hôtel de ville, 74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France · hotel-le-chamonix.com
Hôtel Le Morgane Chamonix (Mont-Blanc)
145 Av. de l'Aiguille du Midi, 74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France · morgane-hotel-chamonix.com
Hôtel Les Aiglons Chamonix
270 Av. de Courmayeur, 74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France · aiglons.com
Hôtel Vallée Blanche Chamonix (Mont-Blanc)
36 Rue du Lyret, 74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France · ilocollection.com
Alpina Eclectic Hotel & Spa
79 Av. du Mont Blanc, 74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France · alpinachamonix.com
Chamonix Lodge Chamonix (Mont-Blanc)
92 Chem. de la Chna, 74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France · chamonixlodge.com
Park Hotel Suisse & Spa
75 All. du Majestic, 74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France · chamonix-park-hotel.com
Vert Lodge - Rooms, Bar & Restaurant Chamonix
964 Rte des Gaillands, 74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France · vertlodge.com
Le Chamoniard Volant Chamonix (Mont-Blanc)
45 Rte de la Frasse, 74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France · chamoniard.com
Chalet Hôtel le Prieuré & Spa Chamonix (Mont-Blanc)
149 All. Recteur Payot, 74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France · prieurechamonix.com
Eden Hôtel Appartments and Chalet Chamonix (Mont-Blanc)
35 Rte des Gaudenays, 74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France · hoteleden-chamonix.com
Chalet Hotel Le Castel Chamonix (Mont-Blanc)
100 Rte des Tines, 74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France · lecastel-chamonix.com
Restaurants & places to go
Le Buet
Restaurant · restaurant · hotelbuet.com
Cool Cat
Sandwich, Fast Food · Sandwicherie de type hot dog , milite pour l'eau du robinet, très progressiste et novateur. Couvert en bambou Opening hours: Mo-Su… · coolcatsrestaurants.com
Shoukâ
Coffee Shop, Cafe · manufacture de cacao, café Opening hours: Mo-Su 08:00-19:30 Features: outdoor seating · 206 Rue du Docteur Paccard, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc,… · shouka-chamonix.fr
Lou Pachran
Regional, Restaurant · Restaurant savoyard avec une cuisine traditionnelle, parapente & VTT Features: outdoor seating, dogs welcome · 290 Chemin des Parchets,… · loupachran.com
Restaurant Ghandi
Indian, Restaurant · Chef cuisinier : Roshan PERERA, originaire de MADRAS en Inde. Spécialités végétariennes, grillades et plats au curry notamment Murgh… · restaurantgandhi.fr
McDonald's
Burger, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Su 10:00-23:00 Features: takeaway · mcdonalds.fr
Aux Petits Gourmands
Teahouse, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Su 07:30-19:30 Features: outdoor seating · 168 Rue du Docteur Paccard, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, 74400 · petitsgourmands.fr
Bighorn
American, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Sa 15:00-23:00, Su 11:00-22:30 · 77 Place Edmond Desailloud, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, 74440 · bighornbistro.com
Paradisio Pizza
Pizza, Fast Food · Opening hours: We-Su 18:00-23:00 Features: takeaway, vegan options · 67 Promenade Marie Paradis · thedaintypizza.com
ARCUS Cofee
Brunch, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 08:30-16:00 Features: outdoor seating, step-free access · 263 Avenue Cachat Le Géant, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, 74400 · arcuscofee.com
Bizes
Barbecue, International, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 18:30-22:00 Features: outdoor seating · 64 Rue du Lyret, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, 74400 · restaurantbizes.com
ELA
Mediterranean, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 09:00-21:00 · 416 Rue Joseph Vallot, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, 74400 · elachx.com
La Braise
French, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 12:00-14:00, 19:00-22:00 · 3 Allée des Bréventines, Les Houches, 74310 · labraisechamonix.com
La Cabane
International, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 12:00-22:30 · 23 Route du Golf, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, 74400 · restaurant-cabane-chamonix.com
Gaufres de Chamonix
Waffle, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Su 14:30-18:30 · facebook.com
Bistrot Bonatti
Italian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 09:00-22:00 Features: step-free access · 80 Avenue Ravanel le Rouge, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, 74400
Satsuki
Japanese, Restaurant · Japanese restaurant · 288 Rue Joseph Vallot, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, 74440 · satsuki.eu
Amorino
Ice Cream · ice cream · amorino.com
La Fré'Mi
Savoyarde, Restaurant · Savoyarde restaurant · 1731 Chemin de la Carbotte, Les Houches, 74310 · la-fre-mi-restaurant.eatbu.com
Su's Cuisine
Asian, Indian, International, Restaurant · Asian/Indian restaurant · 165 Chemin des Bartules, 74400 · suscuisine.com
CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice
Bubble Tea, Cafe · Features: takeaway
Sushi Shop
Sushi, Fast Food · Features: takeaway
Bar des Glaciers
Breakfast, Coffee Shop, French, Local, Regional, Sandwich, Tea, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Su 08:30-18:30
Grenier
Crepe, Regional, Restaurant · Opening hours: Th-Mo 08:00-20:30; Tu 08:00-14:00 Features: outdoor seating · 372 Rue Charlet Straton, 74400
YAK
Nepalese, Restaurant · Nepalese restaurant · 424 Rue Joseph Vallot, 74400
Maggie's
Cake, Coffee Shop, French, Pizza, Sandwich, Cafe · Cake/Coffee Shop cafe · 131 Place Edmond Desailloud, 74400
Hôtel Le Prarion
Cafe · cafe · prarion.com
Snack Bar du Col de Voza
Fast Food · fast food · savoie-mont-blanc.com
Turkish Restaurant
Kebab, Fast Food · Kebab fast food
Brev'Bar
Food Court · food court
Le Boccalatte
Biergarten · biergarten
Planards
Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 09:00-19:00 · 351 Chemin du Pied du Grépon, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, 74700 · planards.fr
Cool Cats
Sandwich, Fast Food · Artisanal Hot Dogs & Street Food Features: takeaway, delivery · Rue des Moulins, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, 74400 · coolcatscatering.com
Moody Coffee Roasters
Coffee Shop, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 08:00-17:00 · 195 Avenue de l'Aiguille du Midi, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, 74400 · cafesmoody.com
La Bergerie de Plan Praz
Regional, Restaurant · Opening hours: Same as cable car Features: outdoor seating, vegetarian options · maisondesdrus.com
Annapurna II
Indian, Restaurant · Indian restaurant · Avenue Ravanel le Rouge, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, 74400 · annapurna-chamonix.com
Poco Loco
Burger, Pancake, Sandwich, Savory Pancakes, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Th,Su 10:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 10:00-23:00 Features: vegetarian options · 47 Rue du… · poco-loco-chamonix-mont-blanc.eatbu.com
La Roulotte à Pizzas
Pizza, Restaurant · Features: outdoor seating, takeaway, delivery · 414 Rue Joseph Vallot, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, 74400 · pizzaslaroulotte-chamonix.com
La Télécabine
French, Restaurant · Features: outdoor seating · 27 Rue de la Tour · restaurant-latelecabine.com
Munchie
International, Restaurant · Opening hours: Th-Sa 18:00-20:00 · 87 Rue des Moulins, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, 74400 · munchie.fr
Mamma Giulia
Italian, Restaurant · Italian restaurant
Tanpopo
Japanese, Restaurant · restaurant de spécialités japonaises Opening hours: We-Su 11:30-14:00,18:00-21:00
Givré
Ice Cream · Opening hours: Mo-Su 14:00-20:00 Features: step-free access
Arctic
Cafe · Juice and Cafe
Le comptoir à raclette
Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Su 09:00-16:00
Chalet du Glacier des Bossons
Regional, Restaurant · Features: outdoor seating
Chalet le Cerro
Restaurant · restaurant
Little Boxes
Restaurant · Réservez vos pizzas 🍕 à emporter à partir de 17:00 pour les retirer avant 20:00.Nous ne pouvons que faire de la livraison de 20:00 à 21:00 et ce…
Plan Joran
Regional, Restaurant · Regional restaurant · maisondesdrus.com
La Poële
Regional, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 10:00-22:00 Features: outdoor seating · 79 Avenue de l'Aiguille du Midi, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, 74400
Les Voisines
Regional, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Sa 11:00-21:00; Su 11:00-14:00 Features: outdoor seating · 368 Rue Charlet Straton, 74400
Lou Vio
Pizza, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Su 18:00-21:30 · 185 Rue de l'Église, Les Houches, 74310
Pizzeria des Moulins
Pizza, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 12:00-23:59 Features: delivery · 107 Rue des Moulins, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, 74400
Le Crêperie by Montcham
French, Pancake, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 10:00-22:00 · 30 Avenue Ravanel le Rouge
L'Hydromel
Burger, French, Regional, Restaurant · Features: vegetarian options · 25 Avenue Ravanel le Rouge · hydromel-bar-chamonix.com
La Crèmerie des Aiguilles
Regional, Grill, Restaurant · Features: outdoor seating · 1416 Route des Gaillands, CHAMONIX-MONT-BLANC, 74400 · restaurant-lacremeriedesaiguilles-chamonix.fr
La Moraine
Regional, Restaurant · Features: outdoor seating, vegetarian options · 5 Avenue Ravanel le Rouge, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, 74400 · lamoraine-restaurant-chamonix.com
Le Monchu
Regional, Restaurant · Features: outdoor seating · 1 Rue du Lyret, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, 74400 · lemonchu-chamonix.fr
Cap Horm
International, Restaurant · International restaurant · 74 Rue des Moulins, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, 74400 · caphorn-chamonix.com
La Calèche
Regional, French, Restaurant · Regional/French restaurant · 18 Rue du Docteur Paccard, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, 74400 · restaurant-caleche.com
La Tablée
Regional, Restaurant · Regional restaurant · 75 Avenue de l'Aiguille du Midi, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, 74400 · latablee.fr
Le Chaudron
French, Restaurant · French restaurant · 79 Rue des Moulins · le-chaudron-chamonix.com
Le Glaçon
Regional, Restaurant · Regional restaurant · les2glaciers.com
Le Sérac
Regional, Restaurant · Regional restaurant · 148 Rue du Docteur Paccard, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, 74400 · leserac.fr
Marie Blachère
Sandwich, Fast Food · Sandwich fast food · 247 Avenue de l'Aiguille du Midi, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, 74440
Chalet Tête de la Fontaine
Restaurant · Features: outdoor seating, dogs welcome · Servoz, 74310 · latetedelafontaine.fr
Chalet du Lignon
Regional, Restaurant · Features: outdoor seating · 6907 Route du Lignon, Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval, 74740
Chalet De La Floria
Restaurant · Opening hours: We-Mo 09:00-17:00 · 74400 · facebook.com
La Chavanne
Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 08:00-23:55 · facebook.com
Le Jungle Chamonix
Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 12:00-24:00 · 110 Rue des Moulins, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, 74400 · bookings.zenchef.com
Onesta cuisine
Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo,We,Su 12:00-16:00; Th-Sa 12:00-20:00 Features: vegetarian options · 37 Impasse des Rhododendrons, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, 74400 · beacons.ai
Rose du pont
Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 08:00-00:00 Features: outdoor seating · 43 Place Balmat, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, 74400 · rose-du-pont.com
Sesame
Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 10:00-23:00 · 70 Avenue Ravanel le Rouge, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, 74400 · sesame-montblanc.com
Les Ecuries de Charamillon
Regional, Restaurant · Opening hours: Ouverture des remontées mécaniques
The Dainty Pizza
Pizza, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 17:00-23:00
Yumidori
Japanese, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:30-21:30
Albert 1er
French, Restaurant · French restaurant · hameaualbert.fr
Crémerie du Glacier
Regional, Restaurant · Regional restaurant · lacremerieduglacier.fr
Maison Carrier
Regional, Restaurant · Regional restaurant · hameaualbert.fr
Buvette de la Cascade du Dard
Restaurant · Opening hours: Jun-Sep Features: outdoor seating · chamonix.com
Alpage de Balme
Restaurant · restaurant · chamonix.com
Buvette de la Cascade de Bérard
Restaurant · restaurant · chamonix.com
Buvette des Mottets
Restaurant · restaurant · buvettemottets.wixsite.com
Altitude 2000
Regional, Restaurant · Features: outdoor seating
Le Joséphine
French, Restaurant · Features: step-free access · 76 Avenue Michel Croz, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, 74400
Le Paradis des Praz
Sandwich, Restaurant · Features: takeaway
Le Rencard
Pizza, Regional, Restaurant · Features: outdoor seating, takeaway, step-free access · 20 Galerie Grand Roc, Argentière, 74400
La Ferme
French, Crepe, Restaurant · French/Crepe restaurant · 67 Avenue de l'Aiguille du Midi, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, 74400
La Guinguette
Burger, Fast Food · Burger fast food
Le National
French, Restaurant · French restaurant · 3 Rue du Docteur Paccard, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, 74400
La ferme du Mont Blanc
Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 08:30-19:30 · 11 Rue de l'Essert, Les Houches, 74310
La kitchenette
Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 07:00-01:00 Features: outdoor seating · 66 Place de la Fruitière, Les Houches, 74310
La Cab
Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 08:15-18:00 · 3 Route des Moussoux, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, 74400
Casa Valerio
Restaurant · restaurant · 88 Rue du Lyret · casavalerio.net
Kitsch Inn
Restaurant · restaurant · 77 Place de la Fruitière, Les Houches, 74310 · kitschinn.fr
La Grande Tablée
Restaurant · restaurant · chamonix.com
Le Chapeau
Restaurant · restaurant · buvetteduchapeau.wordpress.com
Le P'tiot Monchu
Restaurant · restaurant · 311 Av. Cachat le Géant, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, 74400 · app.overfull.fr
Restaurant Le Panoramic
Restaurant · restaurant · le-panoramic-restaurant-chamonix-mont-blanc-le-brevent.eatbu.com
Foehn
Sandwich, Fast Food · Features: outdoor seating
La roulotte
Coffee Shop, Cafe · Features: outdoor seating · Les Houches, 74310
Le Bistrot du Dahu
Regional, Restaurant · Features: outdoor seating, step-free access
Vertical Café
Sandwich, Cafe · Features: outdoor seating
Bistrot des Sports
French, Restaurant · French restaurant
Blaitière Dessous Alpage
Regional, Restaurant · Regional restaurant
Chalet Restaurant du Lac Vert
French, Restaurant · French restaurant
Cham'streetfood
Sandwich, Fast Food · Sandwich fast food
JOIA
Pizza, Restaurant · Pizza restaurant
L’ail des ours
French, Restaurant · French restaurant · 2118 Route du Col, 74660
La Bergerie
Regional, Restaurant · Regional restaurant
La Maison des Burgers
Burger, Fast Food · Burger fast food · 5 Avenue Ravanel le Rouge
La Tour de Pizz
Pizza, Restaurant · Pizza restaurant
Le 3842
Regional, Restaurant · Regional restaurant
Le Vista
International, Restaurant · International restaurant
Neapolis
Italian, Restaurant · Italian restaurant
Tavola Calda
Italian, Cafe · Italian cafe
Le Balcon de Merlet
Restaurant · Features: outdoor seating
Chambre Neuf
Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su,PH 07:00-10:00,12:00-15:00,19:00-22:00
Le Bartavel
Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 09:00-23:30 · 26 Cour du Bartavel
La Sauvageonne
Restaurant · Features: step-free access · restaurant-lasauvageonne.com
Akashon
Restaurant · restaurant · 50 · restaurant-akashon.com
L'index
Restaurant · restaurant · index-chamonix.com
La Yaute Cafe
Restaurant · restaurant · layaute-chamonix.com
Le bivouac
Restaurant · restaurant · le-bivouac.edan.io
Le Comptoir des Alpes
Restaurant · restaurant · 151 Avenue de l'Aiguille du Midi · comptoir-des-alpes.com
Delph's
Restaurant · restaurant · 233 Avenue Michel Croz, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, 74400
Jeanie Chamonix
Restaurant · restaurant · 350 Rue Joseph Vallot, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, 74400
La mer de glaces
Ice Cream · ice cream
Le Panier des 4 Saisons
Restaurant · restaurant · 292 Rue du Docteur Paccard, 74400
Le Panoramic Restaurant
Restaurant · restaurant
Le Restaurant du Refuge
Restaurant · restaurant
Crèmerie la montagne
Restaurant · restaurant
Aux Dix Vins
Restaurant · Features: outdoor seating · 209 Route du Plagnolet
Brasserie des 2 Gares
Restaurant · Features: outdoor seating
Brasserie du Rond Point
Cafe · Features: outdoor seating
La P’tite Verte
Restaurant · Features: outdoor seating, step-free access
Le Bistrot
Restaurant · Features: step-free access
Le Fer à Cheval
Restaurant · Features: outdoor seating
Le passon
Restaurant · Features: vegetarian options
Le Stone
Restaurant · Features: outdoor seating · 390 Rue Charlet Straton
Le Yeti
Restaurant · Features: step-free access
The Office
Restaurant · Features: outdoor seating · 274 Rue Charlet Straton
Atmosphère
Restaurant · restaurant
Auberge du Chatelard
Restaurant · restaurant
Bar de la faune
Restaurant · restaurant
Beurre Noisette
Cafe · cafe
Buvette
Fast Food · fast food
Chalet du Délevret
Restaurant · restaurant
Chamon'Ice
Ice Cream · ice cream · 84 Rue du Docteur Paccard, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, 74400
Chez Yang
Restaurant · restaurant · 17 Rue du Docteur Paccard
Couloir Chamonix
Cafe · cafe · 204 Avenue Michel Croz, 74400
Da Luigi Dealers de glaces
Ice Cream · ice cream
Hotel-Restaurant Les randonneurs
Restaurant · restaurant
L'Adret de la flégère
Restaurant · restaurant
L'Alt
Restaurant · restaurant
L'Argentero
Restaurant · restaurant
L’Atelier Café
Cafe · cafe · 8 Quai d’Arve, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, 74400
La Bagna
Restaurant · restaurant
La Cha
Restaurant · restaurant
La Coquelle
Restaurant · restaurant
La Cremerie du Moulin
Restaurant · restaurant
La Fabrica
Fast Food · fast food
La Potinière
Restaurant · restaurant
La Remise
Restaurant · restaurant
La Tanière
Restaurant · restaurant
Là-Haut Flégère
Fast Food · fast food
Le Chalet de Charamillon
Restaurant · restaurant
Le Hors Pistes
Restaurant · restaurant
Le Refuge des Loups
Restaurant · restaurant
Le Spot
Fast Food · fast food
Les Chéserys
Restaurant · restaurant · 285 Rue Charlet Straton
Malabar Princess
Restaurant · restaurant
Rendezvous
Restaurant · restaurant · Route des Praz
Tendance Foehn
Fast Food · fast food
Airports
Megève Altiport (MVV) 21 km to the centre
Megève, ARA, FR — Indoor waiting area, but you walk out to the aircraft to board — bring an umbrella or a coat if the forecast is poor.
Altisurface du Glacier Du Tacul 6.2 km to the centre
Chamonix, ARA, FR
Altisurface du Glacier Du Dome Du Gouter 8.7 km to the centre
Chamonix, ARA, FR
Trains & rail
SNCF
National rail
Coaches & shuttles
Alpybus ← Geneva (Genève)
Shared airport shuttle from Geneva to Chamonix, about 75 minutes. · Geneva (Genève) guide →
BlaBlaCar Bus
Intercity coach
Tours & experiences
Tour des Crochues
Sightseeing
Fresque de la tour de l'ENSA
Sightseeing
Living Here
The season
- The Alpine ski season runs roughly from December to April, with glacier and high-alpine terrain holding later. Exact opening and closing dates move with the snowpack every year — check the lift company before booking travel around them.
- Chamonix generally runs from December to late April, with high-altitude terrain and the Vallée Blanche typically into May depending on the glacier.
- The valley floor is relatively low and can be grey and cold when the tops are in sun — and the reverse. Buy a pass that lets you move between areas.
Going high safely
- The Vallée Blanche is a glacier route, not a piste: it needs a guide, a harness and the knowledge to use them. Every season people go without and some do not come back.
- The Aiguille du Midi takes you from 1,000 to 3,842 metres in twenty minutes, which is enough to make people genuinely unwell. Move slowly at the top.
- The Compagnie des Guides and the Office de Haute Montagne are the places to get conditions, avalanche risk and a guide.
Getting there
- Geneva is about an hour and a quarter by road with frequent scheduled transfers — the best airport access of any major Alpine resort.
- The Mont Blanc Express railway runs the length of the valley and is covered by the local guest card; the valley buses are free with it too.
- The Mont Blanc tunnel puts Courmayeur in Italy twenty minutes away, and the Skyway cable car from that side is a worthwhile outing.
When the snow goes
- The Tour du Mont Blanc, the classic multi-day circuit, starts and finishes in the valley, and the Mer de Glace is reached by the Montenvers rack railway.
- Downhill mountain biking from the lifts and a large valley network; the UTMB ultra-trail race fills the town in late August.
- Whitewater rafting on the Arve in early summer while the melt runs.
Practicalities
- The Mer de Glace has retreated dramatically and visibly — the staircase down to the ice cave gets longer every few years, and the markers showing former levels are a plain record of it.
- Chamonix is a working town, so food and accommodation span a wider range than a purpose-built resort.