Chamonix Attractions 
Chamonix (officially known as Chamonix-Mont-Blanc), situated at the foot of the highest peak in the Alps, is a climatic and winter sports resort and a climbing center of international reputation. The resort area, which extends for 23km/14mi along the Vallée de Chamonix 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.
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.
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Aiguille du Midi
The imposing Aiguille du Midi stands at 3,842 m. It can be reached from Chamonix by cableway and chair-lift, with fabulous mountain views all the way up.
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Brévent
A cableway takes tourists to the upper station, just shy of the summit, where there is a restaurant and views out over the Bernese Alps, the mountains of Dauphiné, and the Mont Blanc group.
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Mont-Blanc
Mont-Blanc is the highest peak in the Alps, standing at 4,807 m. Climbers tackle the mountain for the views from the summit. Many tourists experience the mountain by going through it on the road tunnel.
Glacier des Bossons
From Les Bossons (4km/2.5mi southwest of Chamonix) there is a 45-minute trip (chair-lift available) to the Pavillon des Bossons (1,298 m/4,259ft; restaurant), on the left- hand lateral moraine of the Glacier des Bossons, with a fine view of the glacier and Mont Blanc du Tacul (4,248 m/13,938ft) looming over it; to the left the Aiguille du Midi and Aiguille du Plan (3,673 m/12,051ft).
Music Weeks of Mont Blanc
This annual festival runs from mid-July to mid-August and includes approximately nine concerts every year. Each of the concerts include internationally-acclaimed performers who perform repertoires ranging from chamber music to jazz. All the events take place in the Grande Salle of the Chamoniz Majestic.
Chamonix Mont Blanc Tourist Office
85 place du Triangle de l'Amitié
F-74401 Chamonix Mont Blanc
France
85 place du Triangle de l'Amitié
F-74401 Chamonix Mont Blanc
France
