Chamonix, France

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between Les Houches and Argentière, also includes the smaller resorts of Les Bossons, Les Praz de Chamonix, Les Tines and Argentière.

Chamonix was host to the first Winter Olympics in 1924. The Mont Blanc road tunnel (11.6km/7.25mi long) links Chamonix-Mont-Blanc with the Italian resort of Courmayeur in the Aosta valley.

The high valley of the Arve, flanked on the southeast by the Mont Blanc chain with its mighty glaciers and on the northwest by the Aiguilles Rouges, does not quite equal the Bernese Oberland in scenic beauty, but vies with Zermatt in the magnificence of its glaciers and possesses in the Aiguilles a series of mountain pinnacles which are unique in their rugged grandeur. From 1091 the valley, under the name of Campus Munitus, belonged to a Benedictine priory. From the mid 18th century onwards it became more widely known through the writings of the English travelers Pococke and Windham and the Genevese scientists Saussure and Bourrit.

The central point of Chamonix is the intersection of the main street (Rue Dr-Paccard and Rue J.- Vallot), which runs along the whole length of the town, with the Avenue de la Gare (formerly Avenue Foch). Near the junction is the Hôtel de Ville (Town Hall). A little way south, on the banks of the Arve, is the Saussure Monument (by J. Salmson, 1887), commemorating the first scientific ascent of Mont Blanc in 1786; it shows the guide, Jacques Balmat, pointing out the route to Saussure. The Musée Alpin illustrates the history of the valley and its development by man.

Dominated by Mont Blanc, Chamonix combines not only beautiful scenery but some of the best expert skiing in the world. This is not a place to choose if you are a beginner but an advancing intermediate who wants to be challenged will enjoy this most famous of French ski towns. One of the longest but not really that difficult off-piste runs in the world is the Vallée Blanche but to get to it you have to walk with a guide, with your skis on your back and with the aid of ropes down a narrow ridge. No matter what your level a guide can help find the most suitable terrain at six different ski areas. The town is cozy with narrow streets but you need a car or bus to get to the slopes.