Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (usually shortened to Chamonix) is a snow resort area near the junction of France, Switzerland and Italy, snuggled in a valley high up in the Alps.

We were excited!

We had heard a lot about this area of France and Chamonix in particular and couldn’t wait to see for ourselves.

But first, another beautiful drive through steep mountains, tight hairpins and sheer drops.  We are getting used to the often nerve wracking narrow roads.

The town of Chamonix is at the base of Mont Blanc, the highest summit in the Alps.  There’s a chalet feel to the town which would be transformed to a winter wonderland when covered with snow.  Another trip to see Chamonix in the snow season or sure!

The view from our hotel looking up the mountain along the cable car route to the top.  We had two balconies off our corner room and spent a lot of time staring at the mountains.  We were  mezmerised by the views.

Highly recommend the Le Chamonix Morgane Boutique Hotel – perfect location and comfortable.

Another view from our hotel room early in the morning looking up at Mont Blanc – you can’t see the actual peak, it’s behind the pointy top bit but the moon popped into view which was amazing!

A town full of adventure sport shops (every second shop) and young people making their way up and down the mountains either in full snow gear complete with skis and parachutes, or climbing gear, or all of the above for those who are clearly obsessed (crazy).  Because it was Spring, mountain bikers were also in abundance.

And there were a lot of restaurants.  Chef Jeff was in alpine foodie heaven 🙂

This area is renowned for its skiing and mountain adventure activities.  Year-round, the cable cars take you up to 12,600 feet, which is still around 3,000 feet below the Mont Blanc summit, but it’s high enough to give you panoramic views across vast glacier areas. rugged peaks to the Italian border and a slight case of altitude dizziness.

Aiguille du Midi Cable Ca

Here we go!

The Aiguille du Midi is the peak on Mont Blanc at 3842m.  It’s the closest you can get to the summit of Mont-Blanc without hiking or climbing and we weren’t going to do that, not this time, not ever at our age.

It’s a two-stage journey – the first leg takes you to Plan de l’Aiguille at 2,317m.  As we passed over the support pillars the cable car would swing and there was a collective “ooohhhhh” from everyone crammed in.  Quite unnerving for me.   You then changed cable cars for the second stage.  This section doesn’t have any support pillars, just a really long cable, and goes straight up the North Face at what feels like an almost vertical accent.  A footbridge connects the cable car top station with the Central Piton terrace.  You then catch an elevator inside the rock which takes you to the top of the tower to an altitude of 3,842m.

Phew!

It’s was high enough for us to feel dizzy from the low oxygen levels and for me to feel a little bit wobbly when going near the edge of the observation platforms.

But the view was worth it.

Did I mention the glass observation cubicle??  It was like stepping out in a void of nothingness without a parachute!  Check out the slippers 🙂

 

Mer de Glace

The other attraction we were keen to see was The Mer de Glace (which means sea of ice). It’s the largest glacier in France – 7km long and 200m deep.  The scenic rail to get there was the first tourist attraction built in Chamonix in 1908 and the views along the way were beautiful.

And once you get there, the landscape is both surprisingly bleak, at the same time eye opening and awe inspiring. However, nothing could prepare us for the confrontation of how much the glacier is receding each year.

A long way down to the ice cave by gondola.

The ice cave was an amazing experience. Some things just need to be touched.

Then back to the top, up all those stairs, working up a hunger as we went. Hot work!

A delicious light lunch with a view.

Now back to Chamonix where the food was thoroughly enjoyable at a variety of restaurants.

And the decors are certainly interesting!

And, this post would not be complete without a photo of the town statue and architecture that appealed to us.

Goodbye Chamonix. We hope to return one day.

Jeff and Catherine x