Top 15 things to do in Chamonix

Top 15 things to do in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc

1 - The Aiguille du Midi

To see the world from above, simply climb to the summit of the Aiguille du Midi. For skiers, it's the starting point for the legendary Vallée Blanche. For everyone else, it's an unforgettable viewpoint. A cable car takes you to the summit in two stages: on the first level, the Plan de l'Aiguille is located at an altitude of 2,317 meters; on the second level, you reach 3,777 meters for a breathtaking panorama of Mont Blanc, the Vallée Blanche, and many other wonders. Several terraces offer views of other peaks in the French, Swiss, and Italian Alps. The view is breathtaking, unforgettable, in the immediate vicinity of the highest peak in Europe.

Prices:

• Adult round trip: €65
• Round trip 5/14 years: €55.30
• Family package: €201.60

2 - The Step into the Void

Without leaving the Aiguille du Midi, if you're not afraid of heights and enjoy thrills, try the Step into the Void. Europe's highest attraction is located at 3,842 meters. You enter a glass chamber, completely transparent and suspended in the void. Beneath your feet, 1,000 meters of void followed by the Bossons Glacier. You'll enter another dimension for an unforgettable experience. You can admire the Bossons Glacier, a huge icefall that drops from 4,900 to 1,420 meters in altitude over 7.3 kilometers.

The atmosphere is grandiose and unforgettable and you are in total safety: the structure withstands winds of 220 km/h and temperature variations of 60° C.
Access to the Step into the Void is included in the Chamonix-Aiguille du Midi package.

3 - Skiing in all its forms

Ski enthusiasts can't be disappointed. Chamonix offers all kinds of skiing: cross-country, downhill, snowboarding, freestyle, telemark, freeride... The best winter sports can be found on the roof of Europe. With more than 10 ski areas, there are numerous peaks to climb and slopes to hurtle down... With more than 130 km of legendary slopes for all levels, you're sure to find something to please you. Beginners and experienced skiers alike can enjoy the exceptional panorama. For an extra dose of adrenaline, there's speed-riding, an activity that combines skiing and paragliding and is called the "third dimension of skiing." You'll play with the air and snow thanks to a small sail that allows you to alternate between gliding and flying sequences. Let yourself be carried by the winds accompanied by professionals.

Prices:

• 130 €/day for groups
• 350/400 €/day for private lessons

4 - Mont Blanc on snowshoes

For anyone looking for variety and wondering what to do in Chamonix, it's possible to explore Mont Blanc on snowshoes. You'll be closer to nature with numerous marked trails and varying levels of difficulty. You can create your own trail in pristine snow, choose from full-day or half-day routes, and more. From the Granges trail to the Sentier des Cerfs, the Planchette trail, and many more, there's plenty to enjoy.

To discover the secrets of the mountains, the best way is to go with a guide who will suggest the best routes based on your expectations and abilities. With a little luck, you might even spot some ibex or chamois. This activity is suitable for ages 6 and up, and lasts from 2 to 6 hours.

Prices:

• €5 to €10 per day for snowshoe rental

5 - Saint-Michel Church

What to visit in Chamonix? After a day of sport or simply for fun, a visit to the Saint-Michel church will delight history lovers and those who love old buildings. It was built by the Benedictines in 1119. From this period, only the bell tower remains. Destroyed by a fire in 1522, the church and priory were restored and completed in 1702 and 1709 and listed as a historic monument in 1979. It is an integral part of Chamonix's heritage and perfectly represents the Savoyard Baroque style. This sacred place also houses a beautiful old stained-glass window. An organ sometimes accompanies the four bells, the largest of which weighs 1,500 kg. The church is open to the public year-round from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

6 - Rafting and canyoning

If you're visiting Chamonix during the summer, you absolutely must experience the joys of rafting or canyoning. Several organizations are ready to help you discover the valley in a different way. They bring together professionals who will lead you on unforgettable descents. For both young and old, there are two possible departures, each eight or ten kilometers long. You'll have a privileged view of the peaks. Strong swimmers can try hydrospeed. Properly equipped, you can follow your guide through the rollers or surf the waves.

In summer, canyoning is just as attractive and can be enjoyed by both adults and children seeking adventure. Climb, jump, and swim in streams, rivers, and waterfalls with a guide.

Prices:

• Adult: €45
• Child 7-12 years: €35
• Family package: €140
• Hydrospeed: from €55

7 - The Brévent cable car

From Chamonix, take the cable car to Planpraz, at an altitude of 2,000 meters, then take the cable car to Brévent, reaching an altitude of 2,525 meters. The southern slope of the Mont Blanc range stretches out before you. In summer, Plan Praz offers beautiful walks to Lake Cornu and the Grand Balcon Sud. From the summit of Brévent, you can reach the Aiguillette des Houches.

In summer and winter, pleasant terraces allow you to sit comfortably and admire this unique landscape.
In Plan Praz, you can recharge your batteries at the “Bergerie” which offers traditional cuisine or enjoy the view from the “Panorama” of the Mont-Blanc range.

Prices:

• Adult round trip: €35
• Round trip for children (5 to 14 years): €29.80

8 - The Mont-Blanc tramway

The Mont Blanc Tramway, or TMB, is a cogwheel train that departs from Saint-Gervais-le-Fayet and takes you to the Eagle's Nest via the Bellevue Plateau. All you have to do is sit back and admire! Built between 1906 and 1912, this train takes you to the Eagle's Nest at an altitude of 2,372 meters and features carriages bearing the names Jeanne, Marie, and Anne. From the Bellevue Plateau, the view of Europe's highest peaks is, of course, exceptional.
In summer, it's possible to stay in a high-mountain refuge, the Nid d'Aigle refuge. The sunsets are extraordinary! And the Bionnassay glacier is only a thirty-minute walk away. It's a great family hike to get up close to the ice, seracs, and eternal snow. It's not impossible to come across some wild animals along the way.

Prices:

• Adult round trip: €35
• Child round trip: 29.80

9 - With animals

For anyone who loves animals, walks, and sliding, there are dog sled rides. This activity is accessible to children as young as three. And then, after a short training session, become a musher for your own team of three or four dogs. Follow in the footsteps of Jack London or Nicolas Vanier and have maximum fun. It's an incredible adventure!

If you're more of a horse person, opt for ski-joëring. You put on skis and are pulled by a horse or pony. This activity combines skiing and horse-drawn carriages; it's accessible to everyone; you just need to know how to ride a ski lift and keep your skis parallel. It's a different and fun way to glide.

Prices:

• One hour: €70; €50 (under 12s)
• Half day: €130; €90 (under 12s)
• Day: €260; €180 (under 12s)

10 - The White Valley

Every ski enthusiast dreams of one day visiting the Vallée Blanche. It's the perfect place for experienced skiers who want to enjoy off-piste skiing at an altitude of 3,842 meters. Starting from the Aiguille du Midi cable car, at an altitude of over 3,800 meters, the descent of the Vallée Blanche offers extraordinary landscapes. Over more than 20 km and 2,000 meters of vertical drop, the guides will take you between seracs and crevasses at the foot of legendary peaks. The Mer de Glace offers a panoramic view of the Aiguilles. The site is not supervised, and it is strongly recommended to go with a guide while having a good level of skiing.
Access to the Vallée Blanche is free and open, but you must take the paid cable car.

11 - The Sea of Ice by train

The Mer de Glace is one of the must-sees, boasting a seven-kilometer-long, 200-meter-thick glacier. You can explore this exceptional site aboard a beautiful red cogwheel train, inaugurated in 1910, which departs from Chamonix. The 5.1-kilometer journey to the Montenvers site, at an altitude of 1,913 meters, takes about twenty minutes. You'll then have a breathtaking view of the glacier, the Drus, the Grandes Jorasses, and more. Beautiful souvenirs to take home with you. And to realize that the Mer de Glace is constantly retreating, you can visit the Glaciorium, which will teach you the essentials about the glacier's structure and the problems associated with global warming.

Prices:

• Adult: €35
• Child aged 5 to 14: €29.80
• Family package: €108.60

12 - The Ice Cave

Near the Mer de Glace (Sea of Ice), you can enter the largest glacier in Europe. Carved from the Mer de Glace, the cave is the only glacier museum in France. Every summer, the cave is re-carved as the glacier advances, and the sculptures change. Young and old alike will be amazed by this unusual work, the shades of blue of these ephemeral sculptures. You can access the cave by following a path for about twenty minutes or by taking the cable car. But in either case, you will have to descend (and then ascend) approximately 580 steps. The splendor of the cave requires constant work, but the lighting and sound effects make the visit even more beautiful. You can also enjoy a description of the life of mountain dwellers in the early 19th century.

13 - Paragliding over the Alps

Paragliding is ideal for gaining height and admiring the mountains. There are numerous takeoff areas easily accessible via ski lifts, and you can enjoy breathtaking scenery. This is a sensational activity in which you will be accompanied by a certified and experienced professional who will jump with you.

You'll start by taking a cable car up to the Aiguille du Midi, before taking a 30- to 45-minute descent of 2,800 meters. You'll have plenty of time to enjoy the scenery and experience the thrills. It's an unforgettable experience to treat yourself or someone else, and is suitable for ages 18 and up.

Price:

• From €95/person for around 30 minutes

14 - Mountain biking on snow

Instead of skis, hop on a mountain bike and enjoy a unique experience on the snowy trails of the Chamonix Valley. Fat bikes have extra-wide tires (and sometimes even electric assistance) for perfect grip and stability on snow, while offering a fun and accessible experience for everyone.

Follow a guide to enjoy the most beautiful spots and benefit from the best technical advice. Hop on a bike with ultra-wide wheels and hurtle down snowy trails; it's a change from skiing.

Prices:

• €10 for the first three hours
• €13 for a 3 to 6 hour rental
• €16 per day
• For four people with instructor: €140/person

15 - Icefalls

Chamonix offers an incredible activity: ice climbing. Ditch the climbing shoes and replace them with crampons and an ice axe!

With a guide, set out to conquer frozen waterfalls and torrents. There are exceptional sites to discover at two locations: the Crémerie in Argentière and the Cascade de Bérard in Vallorcine. You'll be immersed in a sublime crystalline universe, and no previous experience is required. This is an experience that can be enjoyed as a family with children aged 15 and over.

Price:

• From €140 per person