Ski resorts · Haute-Savoie
1 Chamonix Mont-Blanc
The ski area of the Chamonix valley is divided into four areas: Les Grands Montets, Brévent/Flégère, Domaine de Balme and Les Houches.
View full page →A weekend in Chamonix, facing Mont Blanc
At the foot of the roof of Europe, Chamonix offers in two days high-mountain panoramas open to everyone, thanks to its cable cars and rack railway. A spectacular break, summer and winter alike.
Our day-by-day itinerary
The map shows the numbered stops in visiting order, with one colour per day. The line follows the roads where available; otherwise it joins the stops as the crow flies. Distances and times are approximate (by car, without traffic).
Day 1 — Chamonix Mont-Blanc to Le Glacier des Bossons
Chamonix and the Aiguille du Midi cable car, which climbs to 3,842 metres facing Mont Blanc, then the Bossons glacier, one of the most accessible in the massif.
Cable cars & lifts · Haute-Savoie
2 Le téléphérique de l'Aiguille du Midi
The Aiguille du Midi cable car takes us to the summit of the same name at over 3,800 m altitude. In a few minutes we are projected into the particular world of high mountains amid glaciers and steep walls.
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Natural wonders · Haute-Savoie
3 Le Glacier des Bossons
The largest icefall in Europe.
View full page →Day 2 — Le Chemin de Fer du Montenvers to Téléphérique du Brévent
The Montenvers train up to the Mer de Glace, the largest glacier in France, then the Brévent cable car, on the other side of the valley, for the finest view of Mont Blanc.
Tourist trains · Haute-Savoie
4 Le Chemin de Fer du Montenvers
No need to introduce the little Montenvers rack railway that takes us to the edge of the equally famous Mer de Glace glacier.
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Natural wonders · Chamonix-Mont-Blanc
5 Mer de Glace
The largest glacier in France unrolls its tongue of ice over seven kilometres at the foot of the Mont Blanc massif. From Chamonix, the little Montenvers rack railway leads to the edge of this polar landscape, now upset by the rapid retreat of the ice.
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Cable cars & lifts · Haute-Savoie
6 Téléphérique du Brévent
Starting from Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, the Brévent cable car lets you escape towards the summits and enjoy a magnificent, exceptional view of the Mont Blanc massif.
View full page →When to go
From June to September for hiking and the lifts, in winter for skiing. The lifts close for maintenance in spring and autumn: check the dates. Set off early on fine days: clouds often build up around midday.
Getting around
Chamonix can be reached by train on the Mont-Blanc Express line and by car via the motorway. In the valley, shuttles and trains are free with the guest card. The lifts leave from the centre or from nearby hamlets.
Our tips
- Book the Aiguille du Midi online and go up early.
- Bring warm clothes: it is cold at 3,842 metres, even in summer.
- Check the high-altitude weather forecast before buying your tickets.
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