Chamonix, France - a hiker's paradise!
Mont Blanc and the Tour du Mont Blanc
Chamonix in northern France is an excellent place to base yourself for an Alpine adventure. To the south lies Mont Blanc, an impressive mountain massif that spans France, Switzerland and Italy to form some of the most dramatic peaks in the Alps.
Outside of the ski season, Mont Blanc is a top choice for French Alps summer holidays, with plenty of activities including hiking, mountain biking, kayaking and whitewater rafting.
On our Highlights of Mont Blanc tour, you'll set off from your chalet hotel in Chamonix each morning to cover exciting day walks, following well-maintained mountain paths to reach rugged scenery, pretty hamlets and more areas getting you off the beaten path. Read Luke's take on his Mont Blanc walking tour here.
Chamonix is also famous for Tour du Mont Blanc, an impressive multi-day trek that circles the massifs. Hiking for 6-8 hours each day, you'll cover 148km across France, Switzerland and Italy on our 11-day tour. An ideal way to spend summer in the alps, you'll break up the trekking by staying at local auberges (traditional mountain inns), tucking into local cuisine at family-run hotels and people-watching from pavement cafes.
Ride the Montenvers Railway
Another quintessential experience is taking the old cog railway from Chamonix to Montenvers. This little red train provides postcard-perfect scenes of Switzerland. The route takes around two hours, giving you ample time to gaze out the window and be wowed by the dramatic mountain views.
Once you reach Montenvers, which sits at an altitude of 1,913m, you can venture inside the Mer de Glace and learn more about this fascinating glacier.
Plan de l'Aiguille
You can also take a cable car from Chamonix to Plan de l'Aiguille, which sits at an altitude of 3,842m. Needless to say, it offers superlative views of the surrounding Alps and on a clear day you can see as far as the Matterhorn in Switzerland - that's over 37 miles away!
While here, take in the vistas of Aiguille du Midi before daring to 'Step into the Void'. Stand inside a glass box with a sheer drop of 1,000m beneath your feet for some of the most unique panoramic views.
