At the foot of the Mont Blanc sits Chamonix, 'the death sport capital of the world.' The valley has many popular winter sports resorts and venues for extreme sports like ice climbing and paragliding. Chamonix is surrounded by natural wonders, such as the Le Brévent and Aiguilles Rouges mountain chains. Just above Chamonix looms the Mer de Glace, the second-longest glacier in the Alps. All of its natural wonders make Chamonix the place for those who like to watch nature and those who like to play in it.
Fly into the Geneva-Cointrin International Airport to get to Chamonix, which is 88 kilometers away.
Take a panoramic train within the valley to visit the villages between Saint Gervais/Le Fayet, Vallorcine and Matigny in Switzerland.
Stay in a luxury Savoy Chalet-style hotel near the center of the valley to enjoy high-quality yet affordable accommodations within walking distance of the tourist offices and ski schools.
Book a 2-star hotel a few kilometers from the center of Chamonix for nicer views of the area. Many of these accommodations feature the interior and exterior decor of the Edwardian period (early 20th century), when they were built.
Try spending your nights in a hotel in the sleepy hamlet of Le Levancher. Accommodations there offer savoyarde cuisine with a side of alpine charm. Photographers will enjoy the views of Mont Blanc and the Aiguilles Rouges.
Spend a little extra money on luxury accommodations near the Rue du Moulin if you like an active nightlife. The bars along that street are mostly full of young people dancing amid cigarette smoke and live DJ music on the weekends, but there are more casual restaurants and a few quiet spots for older visitors.
Glide along the Mont Blanc Massif by cable car. The system, constructed in 1955, was the highest cable car in the world at the time. Visitors can take the system to the Point Helbronner from Entréves in Italy.
Marvel at the Montenvers Railway and Mont Blanc Tramway, two cog railways that run through the valley. Both lines opened in the early 20th century and were changed from steam to electric power in the mid-1950s.
To book accommodations in Chamonix, France, call All Travel France at 44 (0) 0870-2416335 or visit the link below.
