Les Houches

Les Houches is an alpine commune in Haute-Savoie at the base of Mont Blanc, spreading across a terrain with elevations ranging from 950 to 1900 meters. The area features numerous slopes, cable cars, and trails that serve both winter and summer visitors throughout the year.

The village was long a quiet mountain settlement until the first cable car was installed in 1936, bringing tourism to the region. This early development marked the start of its transformation from a farming community into a winter sports destination.

The École de Physique des Houches physics summer school has educated numerous scientists and welcomed multiple Nobel Prize winners since its establishment.

The location offers multiple access routes, with trails and lifts extending across different elevations. Visitors should know that conditions and accessibility can vary significantly depending on the season.

A remarkable railway line passes through the area with one of the world's steepest gradients, extending over several kilometers. This engineering feat connects the region to other Alpine valleys and is a rare example of such steep railway engineering.

Location: canton of Chamonix-Mont-Blanc

Location: Haute-Savoie

Location: arrondissement of Bonneville

Elevation above the sea: 1,673 m

Shares border with: Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, Passy, Saint-Gervais-les-Bains, Servoz

Address: 74310 Les Houches, France

Phone: +33450544004

Email: mairie@leshouches.fr

Website: http://leshouches.fr

GPS coordinates: 45.89000,6.79861

Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:02