True town
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, a real true town
Chamonix is not all about ice picks. It's also a real, vibrant town, where life is sweet.
SHOPPING
Take a stroll down Chamonix's main high street alongside the brightly coloured, typically Savoyard houses and admire the boutiques !
See the latest fashion collections by Chanel et Moncler.
Discover the most prestigious, cutting edge outdoor sports brands at Snell Sports, The North Face, Mammut, Patagonia, Columbia, Sorel, Quicksilver, Napapjiri, Peak Performance…
Let yourself be charmed by what you'll find inside interior decoration shops such as Boutique Arpin, Rêves d'hiver, Le Chalet de Jules.
SPAS AND WELL-BEING CENTERS
Allow yourself half a day to relax at one of Chamonix's well-being centers :
Spa Le Bachal – Hameau Albert 1er Spa Le Bachal – Hameau Albert 1er 
300 m away from Chalets Aquarelle, a slice of paradise awaits you inside this old wooden chalet : hot stone treatment, the outdoor swimming pool and its nicely raised park, jacuzzi, hammam, spa and a breathtaking view of the Aiguilles du Midi.
Spa Pure Altitude – Hôtel Le Mont Blanc
Enjoy a moment of peace in an all-white, ice floe-like environment, which provides tailor-made treatment to reenergize your body and mind, quality facilities (indoor swimming pool, outdoor jacuzzi, sauna, fitness center, herbal tea room...).
LOCAL MARKETS
Markets are the best means of finding what's best among local products : local cheeses such as la Tomme or le Reblochon, local pork delicatessen (« diots savoyards », cabbage sausage...), gingerbread, as well as traditional liqueurs…
Here is a list of the markets which you shouldn't pass by, in Chamonix :
Monday : Les Houches.
Tuesday : Chamonix (South).
Saturday : Chamonix (town center), where you can purchase fine and attractive products at affordable prices.
Sunday (during the season) : Argentière.
TEA HOUSES
Allow yourself a tasty break in one of Chamonix's gourmet tea houses :
La Panière : a wide variety of bread (nuts, cereal)
Close to Chalets Aquarelle
Aux Petits Gourmands : shortbread and cookies
Chez Richard : cakes and pastries
L'Atelier Café : pancakes and hot chocolate
Chocolaterie Ancey ou « La maison du nougat » : fine chocolate and nougat
Families
Chamonix in family
Chamonix is also a family destination where everyone can have fun and relax.
ANIMAL PARKS
The discovery of High Mountain animals is a magical moment for persons of all ages !
Le Parc animalier de Merle (Les Houches)
80 species to be observed in their natural environment.
La Réserve Naturelle Nationale des Aiguilles Rouges 
Dogs Saint-Bernard breeding 
Address : 223 Chemin des Vorziers - 74310 Les Houches – 04 50 47 23 60
ADVENTURE PARKS
Le Parc de Loisirs de Chamonix
The 1300 m summer toboggan-run, childrens playground and the park's restaurant await you. Fun for all the family ! Access : domaine des Planards. Open all year round.
Close to Chalets Aquarelle
L’Accro’Park des Gaillands
There are five accrobranche courses for different levels, designed by the Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix.
MUSEUMS
Bad weather ? Why not go to the Museum ?
Le Musée de la Mer de Glace and l’Espace Tairraz
Le Musée de la Mer de Glace
Learn about the history of the Mer de Glace and the building of its railroad track. The Museum is situated at the top of the Gare du Montenvers..
L’Espace Alpinisme
The most beautiful itineraries of the Massif du Mont-Blanc are itemized here. Test your mountaineering abilities on the simulators !
Le Musée des Cristaux
La Maison de la Mémoire et du Patrimoine
L’Espace Mémoire Marcel Wibault
Le Musée Alpin de Chamonix
CENTRE SPORTIF
Centre Sportif Richard Bozon
The indoor swimming pool, relaxation area (sauna, hammam, solarium, jacuzzi…), outdoor beach and food bar will make your day. Other amenities such as the skate park and basketball court are at your disposal…).
THE VINEYARDS
You can taste local wines in Chamonix's various wine bars, restaurants and on Saturdays at the Chamonix market (as well as at the supermarket).
- Les crus suisses et italiens…
- Le Valais
- Entre vergers et vignes à perte de vue, dégustez le Fendant et les cépages locaux typiques.
- Aoste
Plenty of magnificent landscapes and fine food !
There are five wine tasting itineraries to discover : the wines of the Mont-Blanc, Grand Paradis, Mont Emilius, Mont Cervin and Mont Rose.
IN THE VICINITY
Cities you can't miss just a few miles away from Chamonix :
Annecy, known as « the Venice of the Alps »
A quiet and atypical town by the lake, at the foot of the mountains.
Geneva, Lausanne
A photo itinerary to be followed by car in one day : La Forclaz, Martigny, Montreux (and the vine route by the Lake Geneva (Lac Léman) with a stop in the city of Geneva or Lausanne.
Val Ferret
A magnificent valley situated at the end of the tunnel du Mont-Blanc, in Italy. A halfday visit.
Dining
Dining
Chamonix's restaurants are warm and friendly, the staff are welcoming and the dishes are tasty.
RESTAURANTS
Our advice for your gourmet outings :
Restaurant de pays La Maison Carrier
Traditional cuisine in an immaculately-kept mountain setting with a 5 star service : the best value for money to be found locally.
Close to Chalets Aquarelle.
Restaurant gastronomique L’Albert 1er
An excellent gourmet meal to be enjoyed in a refined setting. 2 stars in the Michelin guide.
Close to Chalets Aquarelle.
La Calêche
A typically savoyard atmosphere and traditional dishes cooked with great care. You will undoubtedly fall for pépé Luc's irresistible « côte de bœuf » (prime rib of beef), raclette or tartiflette.
Le Cap Horn
Sail out to sea for an evening at the Cape Horn ! Lovers of japanese cuisine will appreciate this contemporary restaurant with its classy decor and the sushi selection, especially.
La Cabane des Praz
Come and discover this gastronomic restaurant by the Golf des Praz and its top quality dishes. Their « Lotte à l'encre sèche » (burbot in ink) is particularly delicious !!
La Casa Valerio
The place to go for lovers of traditional Italian cuisine and fresh produce. Quality food.
La Flambée
Away from the tourist-catch restaurants, la Flambée has unpretentious, yet good quality food on the menu : pizzas, burgers and savoyard dishes in a most friendly atmosphere !
A COOKING RECIPE
A typical dish which will please everyone : la Croziflette !
For four people :
- 150 g Buckwheat Crozets
- 150 g Plain Crozets
- 4 slices of raw ham
- 1 onion
- 1 reblochon cheese
- 50 cl cream
- Salt
- Dip the Crozets for 20 minutes in salty boiling water.
- Cut the ham into fine strips and the reblochon into small squares. Thinly slice the onion and fry it in a knob of butter.
- Preheat the oven at 180 degrees. After having strained the Crozets, pour them into a large gratin dish, then add the cream, ham, onion and half the reblochon. Mix everything together and spread the remaining reblochon on the top. Cook for 15 minutes and enjoy !
TAKE AWAY
If you don't fancy cooking you can order your dinner from one of the best « to go » places in Chamonix :
Casa Valerio : wood oven-cooked pizzas
Chez Yang : chinese specialties
L’Annapurna : traditional Indian specialties
L’Impossible : gluten-free organic food
Going out
Going out
Chamonix is a lively town, full of bars and their « happy hours », night clubs, game facilities and film screenings.
BARS
Les Caves 
A lounge bar which offers good music, sushis, cocktails and a wine bar. Opens at 6 pm.
Le Moo bar
A lively, young people's bar. Quality beer, a wide selection of wines, cocktails, long drinks and a nice selection of homemade burgers in the evenings.
La Chambre Neuf
One of the liveliest « after skiing » places to go ! There are gigs on every evening from 5.30 pm to 7.30 pm from sunday to friday. A must for skiers.
L’Élevation 1904
Live music, a sunny terrace and a half French / half English menu with a proper English breakfast everyday ! A very popular place opposite the station.
La Micro Brasserie de Chamonix
The Mont-Blanc's first microbrewery, run by four passionate Canadians. A warm and friendly atmosphere from 4 pm to 2 am. 6 different varieties of local beer and widescreen football.
La brasserie L'M
Outstanding for its view of the Mont Blanc ! Seasonal cuisine and tasty tapas.
NIGHTLIFE
Two well-known nightclubs if you wish to party all night :
L'Amnesia
Chamonix's largest club, where the best DJs and artists perform. 2 rooms and 2 resident DJs. The club to go to ! Open 7 days a week.
Le Bunker Club
Chamonix's new club, which is already very successful thanks to its fine programming.
GAMES
Casino Barrière
Slot machines and Roulette.
Bowling / Billard / Baby-foot
A large arcade with a bar : pool, mini golf, shuffleboard, video games, pinball machines, bowling and table-football.
Ice hockey matches
Come and support the Chamonix Hockey team for a match : good atmosphere guaranteed !
CINÉMA
Cinéma Vox
The Cinéma Vox in Chamonix shows the latest films as well as films in their original version.
