Things to do in Chamonix

Shopping

Chamonix is one of Europe’s premiere mountain resorts and offers excellent shopping. You’ll find most name brands, but also has an excellent discount store for outdoor equipment, Technique Extreme, if you want to grab some items last-minute before you depart on your trek. Several specialty food stores such as Le Refuge Payot, have an excellent selection of cheese and sausage from the Haute-Savoie region.

Outdoor Attractions and Recreation

• Aiguille du Midi - Purchase Aiguille du Midi lift tickets and take the tram to the top of Aiguille du Midi, on the highest vertical ascent cable car in the world. Make sure you do this on a clear day to capture the best views of Mont Blanc and the surrounding spires and glaciers. The elevation at the upper station is 3,777 meters and an elevator makes the final ascent to the top of the Aiguille du Midi. Return to Chamonix by tram. Plan on 2-3 hours for this excursion and pay attention to when the last tram comes down or you would have to walk all the way back down.
• Lac Blanc - The best views of the Mont Blanc are seen from the famous Lac Blanc. Your hike is also typically frequented by marmots, ibex, and other Alpine wildlife. This route includes a couple of short ladders, 11 km. However, there is an alternate (shorter) route to avoid the ladders. 
• Mont Blanc Range – The range originates 770 million years ago and consists mainly of granite rock.  Despite being the highest mountain in Western Europe, Mont Blanc was the first to be climbed in 1786 by Jacques Balmat and Michel Gabriel Paccard.  On a good day, you’ll see dozens of climbers practicing or making a summit bid.
• Rock/Ice Climbing – Ascending to the top of the Aiguille du Midi offers a plethora of rock and ice climbing options.  You will need technical gear and a guide, but the views will be unmatched!
• Paragliding – Walking around town, you’ll find many paragliding companies to which you can enjoy a 30+ minute flight above the valley with unique view!
• Skiing – There are miles and miles of ski runs between the 5 famous ski resorts in the valley – Grand Montets, Les Houches, Le Tour, La Flegere, and Le Brevent.  Some routes, like Vallee Blanche, are 20 kilometers long!

Cultural Attractions

• Alpine Museum - Housed in the former Chamonix-Palace which dates to the early 20th century, the Musée Alpin records the development of Chamonix – from when the first tourists came to admire the glaciers right up to when the cable cars were built.
• Maison de la Memoire et du Patrimoine Janny Couttet - is designed to allow everyone to familiarize themselves with the heritage of Chamonix Mont Blanc Valley. 
• Barberine's Museum – is a small village recording the everyday life of the village in times past. The cost of admission is 4 Euros for adults and free entry for children under the age of 18. 
• Maison de l'Alpage - Allows individuals to discover the exhibition ITINERIO on the theme "Agriculture and landscapes, the major transformation. 
• Mont Blanc Tunnel – Connects Chamonix with it’s sister city, Courmayeur on the Italian side of Mont Blanc.  The tunnel is 11.6 km in length and has been the site of numerous safety improvements following a deadly fire in 1999.

Chamonix Festivals

• Ultra Tour du Mont Blanc – otherwise known as the UTMB is one of the world’s most famous ultramarathons.  It’s held every year in late August and participants from around the world run the entire Tour du Mont Blanc (166 km and a total elevation gain of 9600 meters) with a maximum cut off time of 45 hours
• Cosmojazz Festival – Occurring yearly since 2010, the Cosmojazz festival celebrates the musical talents of numerous artists and usually takes place over a week in late July

Cuisine

• Fine Dining - A favorite restaurant in Chamonix is La Caleche, located just across the street and to the right of the Grand Hotel des Alpes. Decorated in antiques, the congenial staff serves an excellent offering of local specialties plus dishes that cater to Chamonix’s international clientele.
• Beaufort cheese – a cheese made from raw cow’s milk, it was certified with the appellation d’origine controlee in 1968.  It’s the most common cheese in the Haute-Savoie dishes due to its prevalence, rich flavor, and ease of melting
• Reblechon – a semi-soft cheese that is also famous to the Haute-Savoie region.  It’s lightly aged and used in many local dishes, like tartiflette.
• Tartiflette – A local specialty that consists of reblochon cheese, potatoes, onions, and bacon.  Despite being a hearty winter meal, it satisfies even the hungriest bellies all year round.
• La Tarte aux Myrtilles – translating to a bilberry tart, these can be found at restaurants all around town as a popular desert which use locally picked berries

Transport Card

Carte d’Hôte (Guest Card) - The Chamonix Valley offers several alternatives to the car. Thanks to the hotel, you have free access on certain services. The Guest Card should given to you on your arrival