The dazzling snow cap of Mont Blanc, Western Europe’s highest mountain, is a magnificent backdrop to the colourful resort of Chamonix and its smaller, but very attractive neighbour, Les Houches. From relaxing strolls to challenging hikes, this ideal walking country offers something for everyone.
The huge choice of outdoor activities (see our excursions tab) includes rafting, parapenting, mountain biking, climbing, horse riding and summer toboganning. In Chamonix, there is also a superb adventure park, a sports centre and a wonderful 18 hole golf course in Le Praz and mini-golf. Why not try our fantastic new Peaks of Perfection Activity Week in Chamonix, a perfect holiday if you love an active break, leave the organising to us!
Offering a wide range of shops, cafés, bars and restaurants, Chamonix also has a cinema, casino and nightclubs. Take a trip up the spectacular Aiguille du Midi, one of Europe’s highest cable-cars, or a ride on the famous rack railway to 6,200ft to admire the stunning Mer de Glace glacier. For those looking to beat the crowds, spend an unforgettable night in the Refuge du Montenvers, sitting on the top of the Mer de Glace.
The Chamonix Valley Card is provided by your hotel upon arrival and offers FREE bus and train travel in the Chamonix Valley and reductions on many other services. The Mont Blanc Multipass is also available locally through our in resort Rep and provides a great value option for those wanting to explore numerous peaks using the in resort lift system - see our Inghams Plus tab.
Chamonix Holidays
The original home of Alpine tourism
Useful Information
Resort Code: FRCH
Languages spoken: French, but English widely spoken
Time difference: GMT+1
Currency: EUR
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from£378pp
- 27 rooms
The Hotel Sapinière is an established and popular choice with Inghams guests, who thoroughly enjoy its relaxing atmosphere, excellent food and the friendly service from our Hotel staff.
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from£489pp
- 148 rooms
Retro hotel with an exciting retro style and room layouts to suit all!
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from£619pp
- 50 rooms
Located in the heart of Chamonix, this informal, friendly hotel is perfect for enjoying the bustling resort.
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from£729pp
- 102 rooms
We are delighted to feature this state of the art, chic, yet comfortable hotel at the foot of the Aiguille de Midi cable car.
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from£499pp
- 107 rooms
This contemporary and stylish hotel offers very high standards of comfort and fantastic facilities. The hotel is a firm favourite with our guests and offers a warm and friendly welcome.
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from£399pp
- 50 rooms
The Cristal de Jade opened in 2016 and is an impressive residence with fantastic facilities. It offers the ultimate in luxury and relaxation for those keen to have the flexibility of a self-catered property.
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from£489pp
- 250 Rooms
The Savoy Palace has been transformed into the Hotel La Folie Douce, bringing its eclectic mix of hospitality and entertainment to Chamonix. The location beats many in Chamonix, sitting on the edge of the Savoy meadow, with fabulous views.
- 20 rooms
Spend an unforgettable night in the newly renovated Refuge du Montenvers.
Travel and Transportation
| Departure day | To | Depart from |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday/Saturday Wednesday/Saturday Wednesday/Saturday Wednesday/Saturday Wednesday/Saturday Wednesday/Saturday Wednesday/Saturday Wednesday/Saturday |
Geneva | Gatwick Heathrow London City Luton Bristol Manchester Liverpool Edinburgh |
Transfer Approx. 1hr 15mins by coach.
Supplements may apply on some flights and up-to-date prices can be given when using our booking system.
Car hire available: Yes
Evening resort bus service: No
Local bus services: <p>Yes</p>
Nearest Rail Station:
Chamonix
Parking available: Yes
Resort Ski bus available: No
Inghams Plus
Chamonix Valley Card which includes:
FREE bus and train travel between Servoz and Vallorcine plus discounted entry to:
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- Sport Centre swimming pool
- Alpine & Cristal Museum
- Mountain Museum (Les Houches)
- Free packed lunches at selected hotels
- Early Booking Offers at selected hotels
- Inghams Rep based in resort
Summer 2018:
Inghams Saver Plus: Save £50 per couple (whilst stocks last)
Special Offers
Excursions
Annecy £49, full day, Friday (Summer 19, £50)
The Venice of the Alps. Take a boat trip on beautiful Lake Annecy (pay locally €15), then browse through the colourful market, relax on a café terrace and visit the fascinating château.
Three Countries Tour £62, full day, Monday (Summer 19, £64)
Begin with a scenic drive up-valley to the Col de Forclaz for a superb view of the Rhone valley, then through Swiss vineyards, before arriving at the Grand St. Bernard Pass on the Swiss-Italian border. Time for a stroll around the lake, then to Aosta - 'Rome of the Alps'. An unforgettable day of varied landscapes, cultures and architecture!
We have new and exciting pre-bookable activity packages now available in Chamonix for summer 17 & 18. Applicable for Wednesday arrivals only, guests can now book the following:
Mountain Magic - £121 (Summer 19, £124)
A great introduction to some of the exciting activities Chamonix has to offer including white water rafting, guided biking and gentle hiking.
- River Rafting which starts and finishes in Chamonix on the river l’Arve, which runs through the centre of Chamonix – 45 minutes long.
- Guided biking, a is cross-country through forests and rivers, not going on chair lifts, part of a group and bike included.
- Guided Hike which is a half day hike with a guide around the Chamonix valley. It will be a gentle walk, not too strenuous.
All ½ days
Ice, Air & Rapids - £260 (Summer 19, £267)
For the adrenaline seekers, experience big thrills white water rafting in Italy, land in front of the Chalet Hotel Sapinière as part of a tandem paraglide and take on the Mer de Glace glacier with a guide and all equipment included.
- White Water Rafting in Italy at Dora Baltea. Guests are collected and taken to the start point, follow a 30km stretch of the Dora river. Active adrenaline adventure and intense thrills on big waves - You MUST be able to swim well. Half day adventure.
- Parapenting from the Brevent. Take off from the top of the Brevent and enjoy fantastic views. You land in front of the Sapinière! Guests will fly in tandem with a qualified parapent pilot. Please note that a lift pass to start point is not included.
- Full day glacier hike on the Mer de Glace (great day out for a taster of a glacier/ice walking). The Mer de Glace is one of the most well know glaciers in the Alps. Guests will be equipped with crampons, a harness and ice axes. The guide will lead you.
All bookable for ages 12 and over.
Date and times of each activity will be advised on arrival as the itinerary will be dictated by weather and groupings
Please note that we act at all times as selling agent for the suppliers of activities & excursions.
Things To Do
- Bowling
- Cinema
- Golf
- Horse-riding
- Paragliding
- Walking
From relaxing strolls to challenging hikes, holidays in Chamonix offer something for everyone. The huge choice of outdoor activities includes rafting, parapenting, mountain biking, climbing and summer tobogganing. There is also a superb adventure park, a sports centre and a wonderful 18 hole golf course and mini-golf; be as relaxed or active as you like. Ride one of Europe's highest cable cars to the spectacular Aiguille du Midi overlooking Mont Blanc, the famous rack railway to 6,200ft to admire the stunning Mer de Glace glacier, or take a trip to Les Houches, Chamonix's quieter village neighbour, 6km down the valley.
The lifts are open on the following dates:
Brévent & Flégère - 9th June to 16th September 2018
Grands Montets - 23rd June to 9th September 2018
Aiguille du Midi - open year-round (weather dependent)
Les Houches - 9th June to 23rd September 2018
Montenvers Mer de Glace train - open year-round (weather dependent)
Glacier des Bossons - 17th June to 17th September 2018
Activity Information
Resort Card - Free to all guests
The free "Chamonix Valley Card" is provided by your hotel/apartment upon arrival and offers free bus and train travel in the Chamonix Valley and reductions on many other services.
Sample itinerary:
- Day 1 | Bus to Argentiere and brisk walk back on the Petit Balcon Sud via Chalet la Floria for tea.
- Day 2 | Train to leBuet or Vallorcine for walk to Refuge du Bérard or the Aiguille Rouge Nature Reserve.
- Day 3 | Train towards Servoz, admiring the Bossons and Taconnaz glaciers. Visit the spectacular Gorges de la Diosaz (entrance €6.50, payable locally).
- Day 4 | From Chamonix, bus to les Houches then the cable-car (pay locally) to the Col de Voza and the train to Eagle's Nest.
Other things to do in and around Chamonix
- Excellent walking and climbing
- Paragliding
- Glacier walks
- E-Bikes (book locally)
- Mountain biking
- Hydrospeed
- Canyoning
- Rock climbing
- Mountaineering - Via ferrata
- Merlet wildlife park
- Adventure park
- Sports centre
- Golf course
- Wide range of shops
- Superb choice of restaurants
- Cinema
- Summer tobogganing
- White-water rafting
- Bowling
- Crazy golf
- Alpine Museum
- Casino
- Numerous festivals including Cosmo Jazz Festival and Fête des Guides with a sound and music show
- Climbing World Cup and fireworks, Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc
Walking
Mont Blanc Multipass | from £57 (1 day) | £105 (5 days) during Summer 2018
Mont Blanc Multipass available locally with a choice of durations, includes Aiguille du Midi and Mer de Glace
Sample Walking Programme
Day 1 | To top of Brévent then walking the Grand Balcon Sud to Flégère
Day 2 | Take the charlift from the top of the Bossons village to 1,425m and join the La Jonction hike up to 2,589m where you can enjoy stunning views of both the Bosson and Taconnaz glacier
Day 3 | Up the Flégère lift in Les Praz and walk to Lac Blanc
Day 4 | From the top of the Grand Montets cable-car, walk to the Glacier d'Argentière and return via the Refuge Chalet de Lognan.
Day 5 | Up the Le Tour gondola then chairlift for walk to Col de Balme for breathtaking views over Switzerland. Lots of Marmottes!
Walks are subject to lift opening/closing dates and weather conditions. There are a wide range of walks in the valley, mid and high mountain.
Two Centres | Experience one of our inspiring Mont Blanc Tours for a 14 night holiday combining France with either Italy or Switzerland.
