Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, Mountain resort in Haute-Savoie, France.
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is a commune in the Haute-Savoie department that sits at an elevation of 1030 meters in the Arve Valley. The town center is surrounded by several peaks of the Mont Blanc massif and spreads along the main road through the valley.
The valley was granted to the Benedictine monastery of St. Michel de la Cluse in 1091, marking the beginning of documented settlement in this alpine region. Centuries later, the arrival of British travelers in the 18th century transformed the area into a major destination for alpine tourism.
The Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix was founded in 1821, establishing the first professional mountain guide association in the Alps. This organization set training and safety standards in mountaineering that were adopted around the world.
The Mont Blanc Tunnel connects the town directly to Italy and allows for a quick crossing of the Alps. The train station offers regular connections via the St. Gervais-Vallorcine line and makes arrival without a car easier.
The commune hosted the first Winter Olympics in 1924, establishing the worldwide tradition of international winter sports competitions. The medals awarded at that time were not officially included in the Olympic program, which retrospectively made the event a demonstration.
Location: arrondissement of Bonneville
Location: Haute-Savoie
Inception: 1091
Elevation above the sea: 2,423 m
Shares border with: Courmayeur, Les Houches, Passy, Servoz, Vallorcine
Address: 70 Imp. des Anémones, 74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France
Phone: +33450531113
Email: sg@chamonix.fr
Website: https://chamonix.fr
GPS coordinates: 45.92222,6.86889
Latest update: December 4, 2025 19:01
France offers diverse winter destinations spanning both urban and natural landscapes. The Alpine regions contain several ski areas, including Chamonix-Mont-Blanc at the base of Western Europe's highest peak, Les Trois Vallées with its extensive network of runs, and L'Alpe d'Huez at elevations above 5,900 feet (1,800 meters). The Aiguille du Midi provides access to high alpine views through a cable car system, while Lake Annecy presents a winter landscape within the Savoie Alps. Cities across the country display their historical architecture during the colder months. Strasbourg Christmas Market transforms the city center into a seasonal gathering place, Nancy presents the 18th-century Place Stanislas, and Paris maintains structures including Sainte-Chapelle and the Jardin du Luxembourg. Beyond the capital, Versailles Palace stands with its formal gardens, Château de Chambord occupies the Loire Valley, and the Palais des Papes remains in Avignon. The Notre-Dame de Reims cathedral shows 13th-century Gothic architecture, while Mont Saint-Michel stays accessible on its tidal island. Additional sites include the Roman-era Nîmes Arena, Pont du Gard, and the medieval fortress of Carcassonne. The Grotte de Lascaux displays prehistoric art, while Les Eyzies de Tayac holds archaeological sites. Southern regions such as the Calanques near Marseille, Gorges du Verdon, Grande Plage in Biarritz, and Cap d'Ail Beach provide access to Mediterranean and Atlantic coastlines, even during winter months.
The French Alps encompass several hundred kilometers of ski slopes spread across various mountain ranges. Ski areas such as the Three Valleys, linking Courchevel, Meribel, and Val Thorens, or Paradiski, connecting La Plagne and Les Arcs, provide extensive networks suitable for both beginners and experienced skiers. In Chamonix, the Mont Blanc massif offers technical descents, while high-altitude resorts like Tignes and Les Deux Alpes ensure snow cover thanks to their glaciers. Facilities include efficient ski lifts and simplified access from the valleys. Some resorts like Avoriaz stand out for their car-free organization, while others like Val d'Isère and Alpe d'Huez attract skiers with their significant elevation changes and long runs. These destinations enable winter sports from December to April, with opportunities for summer skiing on certain glaciers.
International ski resorts like Whistler Blackcomb, Niseko, Cortina d'Ampezzo, and Zermatt offer varied terrain. These destinations provide slopes for all levels, Olympic facilities, skiable glaciers, and high-altitude areas. Some resorts are located on volcanoes like Mount Ruapehu, others in mountain ranges such as the Alps, the Rockies, or the Dolomites.
Mont Blanc
10 km
Aiguille du Midi
5.1 km
Mer de Glace
5.3 km
Vallée Blanche Aerial Tramway
5 km
Grandes Jorasses
10.8 km
Val Ferret (Aosta Valley)
14.2 km
Chemin de fer du Montenvers
506 m
Pointe Helbronner
9.8 km
Bossons Glacier
4.3 km
Dent du Géant
9.3 km
Aiguille Verte
8 km
Vallée Blanche
5.8 km
Mont Maudit
8.3 km
Les Droites
9.4 km
Glacier de Planpincieux
10.8 km
Mont Blanc du Tacul
7.5 km
Argentière Glacier
9.5 km
Mer de Glace ice cave
4.2 km
Grand Capucin
8.2 km
Dôme du Goûter
9.1 km
Le Brévent
2.7 km
Aiguille de Bionnassay
10.4 km
Rocher de la Tournette
10 km
Glacier de la Brenva
10.7 km
Tête Rousse Glacier
8.3 km
La Tour Ronde
9.2 km
Aiguille d'Argentière
12.4 km
Chemin de fer aérien de l'Aiguille du Midi
1.7 kmReviews
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