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| Visiting Chamonix in the Summer |
Visiting Chamonix in the Summer
If you are an ardent skier, you have to head over to Chamonix because it is a haven for those who love skiing but it’s as delightful and charming during the Summer too. The glorious white heights of the Mont Blanc massif form a magnificent backdrop so you can experience the Chamonix Valley at its best. Thanks to Brits William Windham and Richard Pococke, who discovered this town as a tourist destination, back in 1741, it is a Winter and Summer playground of epic proportions.
I visited last month, and I was surprised at how many things to do in the area. The climate in the village is warm, but it gets cold as you go up! Here are some of the things I got up to:
Aiguille du Midi
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| Aiguille du Midi cable car |
Located at the height of 3,777 metres, the Aiguille du Midi and its man-made terraces offer a 360° view of all the French, Swiss and Italian Alps! You can use the lift to go up to the summit terrace to get a stunning view of Mont Blanc. “A Step into the Void” is a must! Standing in the glass box measuring 2.50-metres, it hangs over a 1000 m precipice – thrilling! There’s also a gondola lift ride over the Glacier du Géant to the Pointe Helbronner in Italy (open from June to September) – must go back to do that!
Super easy to get there, take the cable car up in the middle of Chamonix! Thre’s a cafe and the Refuge Le Plan de L’Aiguille.
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| “A Step into the Void” |
Refuge Le Plan de L’Aiguille
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| Refuge Le Plan de L’Aiguille |
Refuge Le Plan de L’Aiguille is a mountain cabin refuge in the Mont Blanc massif which serves Alpine food and drinks. It’s a hidden and gorgeous place to have lunch after a day spent hiking, skiing and sightseeing. Prepare to be amazed by stunning views of the valley and by the friendly donkeys wandering around.
This refuge, which is a safe place to take protection from the extreme weather of the mountains, is open and staffed from May through to late October. Outside of this period it is open and equipped with bedding but is unstaffed. A great place to visit when in Aiguille du Midi, just 20 minutes walk from the cable car station.
Lunch at Le Plan de L’Aiguille
Le Landaise
Duck confit and Le Farcement Savoyard (potatoes, bacon, cream, prunes and raisins) served with green salad
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| La Tartiflette potatoes, onions, lardon creme, Reblochon – served with green salad. |
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| le Croute aux Chanterelles Chanterelle mushrooms, bread, shallots, cream |
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| dessert : gorgeous fruit tarts |
All washed down with local award winning beer Brasserie du Mont Blanc and vin chaud (mulled wine) – the digestive was a local herbal liqueur of Génépy traditionally taken neat – an acquired taste. The food was absolutely delicious, home-made style and very substantial!
For info and menu:
Walking around Chamonix
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| Walking around Chamonix |
Refuge du Montenvers
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| Refuge du Montenvers- Terminal Neige |
Chamonix and took a small train from Gare du Montenvers (very central) to Terminal
Neige, about 20 minutes ride through some scenic route up the mountain.
The restaurant and hotel, Refuge du Montenvers has an outdoor terrace
and beautiful indoor seating serving traditional Alpine dishes in a
rustic setting. It’s a very stylish place for lunches, dinners or
overnight stays for skiers and non-skiers alike. I just adored this
place. Both the food and accommodation were superb! The only negative
was the lack of a hair dryer in the room, but the Wi-Fi worked perfectly!
The price for a room is from €210 up to €250 half board for two.
Suite costs €350 to €450 half board
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| Refuge du Montenvers |
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| Refuge du Montenvers |
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| Refuge du Montenvers |
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| The bar very well stocked! Refuge du Montenvers- Terminal Neige |
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| Breakfast at Refuge du Montenvers- Terminal Neige |
Mer de Glace (Sea of Ice)
It is the biggest glacier in France – 7km long and 200m deep! Take the same train that goes to Montenvers from Chamonix town centre (Gare du Montenvers) to get to the glacier and the hotel. We didn’t have time but check out the “Ice Cave” that takes you into the heart of the glacier – it describes the living conditions of the mountain people in the early 19th century. Must plan another visit!
Ready to plan a trip to Savoie Mont Blanc? You will have a fabulous time for sure!
Until next time why not join me on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook…X
A short video of my adventure:
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Disclosure: I was a guest of Savoie-Mont-Blanc Tourism Board for review purposes. All views are my own.
WOW- views of the swiss, Italian, and French alps all from one spot…sounds incredible. But standing on that glass floor- yikes! We visited a ski area in the US last summer and I was shocked at how much there was to do! But we certainly didn't get the amazing food and charming French town that you did. My husband and I would love to do this!
I've been reading a few posts recently about how lovely Chamonix is in the summer, and as someone not at all interested in skiing and winter sports, I'm totally persuaded! Especially to see the landscape and enjoy the local food. I'm not sure I want to stand on the glass floor though!
My ski-ing days are over… but my hiking and dining days are definitely in their prime. I absolutely love the sound of Chamonix in the summer time… glass bottomed lift and all. Those window boxes, the views, those cosy chalets, the dark wood, the Charles Dickens room and … that tartiflette!
Ok, one thing: Le Croute aux Chanterelles… How could I have lived for 40 years without trying this dish! Looks SO good….
The other thing: You must be one of the bravest persons ever standing on that glass thingy in the middle of the mountains! I would have peed in my pants!
Thanks for sharing, Rosanna! You know, I am a fan 🙂
X Louise
http://www.louiseloveslondon.com