Free walking tours in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc and what to see

Must-sees

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc lies in a valley of the French Alps at the foot of Mont Blanc, the highest peak in Western Europe. It hosted the first Winter Olympics in 1924 and is a year-round mountain destination. The star attraction is the Aiguille du Midi cable car, which climbs from the centre of town to 3,842 metres, with close-up views of Mont Blanc and the glaciers. From there, in season, you can carry on by gondola across the glacier towards Italy.

The other great outing is the Montenvers rack railway, which takes you to the Mer de Glace, the massif’s great glacier. Down below you can visit an ice cave carved out each year, and along the way you can see how far the glacier has retreated. On the other side of the valley, Le Brévent and La Flégère offer the best views of the range, and the trail to Lac Blanc starts from La Flégère. The town has a lively pedestrian street and a mountaineering atmosphere.

Free tours and guided visits

There are no free walking tours in Chamonix. What you will find are private and sporting experiences: private trips to Montenvers and the Mer de Glace, private tours to the Aiguille du Midi or around the valley, guided hikes in the Charousse area and paragliding flights over the valley. These are small-group activities and it is best to book ahead, especially in summer.

How long to spend

With two days you can go up the Aiguille du Midi and down to the Mer de Glace, always keeping an eye on the weather, because the views vanish when it clouds over. Three or four days let you add Le Brévent, a hike such as the one to Lac Blanc and a spare day in case the weather lets you down. In winter the plan revolves around skiing, with several ski areas spread along the valley.

Where to stay

Central Chamonix is the most convenient base: the Aiguille du Midi cable car, the Montenvers train station, restaurants and shops are all within walking distance. If you want peace and quiet, Les Praz, Argentière and Les Houches have mountain hotels and apartments. A train and buses run along the valley, linking the villages with the centre.