Guidebook for Chamonix-Mont-Blanc
Essentials
This store has the best food and petrol prices in Chamonix. Line 1 bus stop. Closes at noon on Sundays.
131 recommandé par les habitants
Super U
117 Rue Joseph VallotThis store has the best food and petrol prices in Chamonix. Line 1 bus stop. Closes at noon on Sundays.
Arts & Culture
Special exhibits with a local theme as well as a permanent collection of crystals found in the local mountains.
78 recommandé par les habitants
Musée des Cristaux
615 All. Recteur PayotSpecial exhibits with a local theme as well as a permanent collection of crystals found in the local mountains.
Sightseeing
Highest lift-served mountain in Europe. Amazing views of the French, Swiss and Italian alps from 3800m altitude. Access to the Vallée Blanche off piste ski itinerary and alpine mountaineering routes. Not patrolled, not avalanche controlled and glaciers with crevasses - do not exit the lift station without proper equipment and training or a local mountain guide.
37 recommandé par les habitants
L'Aiguille du Midi station
Highest lift-served mountain in Europe. Amazing views of the French, Swiss and Italian alps from 3800m altitude. Access to the Vallée Blanche off piste ski itinerary and alpine mountaineering routes. Not patrolled, not avalanche controlled and glaciers with crevasses - do not exit the lift station without proper equipment and training or a local mountain guide.
Great views of Mont Blanc from the top of this lift as well as from the mid station. Access to skiing for the Brévent-Flégère ski area (Chamonix's only linked ski areas) as well as for many hikes and rock climbing routes. Two restaurants at altitude operate whenever the lifts are open, and a third operates in ski season.
82 recommandé par les habitants
Le Brévent
Great views of Mont Blanc from the top of this lift as well as from the mid station. Access to skiing for the Brévent-Flégère ski area (Chamonix's only linked ski areas) as well as for many hikes and rock climbing routes. Two restaurants at altitude operate whenever the lifts are open, and a third operates in ski season.
The Télésiege des Bossons operates from this place in the summer. It takes you up to a buvette (café at altitude) overlooking the Les Bossons glacier. From here you can continue on a longer hike up to La Pyramide - the original starting point for the first alpinists to climb Mont Blanc.
There is an exhibit about the glacier itself (how it's changed over the years) and about the two planes which crashed into the glacier in the 1940s. The Les Bossons glacier comes all the way down from Mont Blanc at 4810m.
1 Route du Tremplin
1 Route du TremplinThe Télésiege des Bossons operates from this place in the summer. It takes you up to a buvette (café at altitude) overlooking the Les Bossons glacier. From here you can continue on a longer hike up to La Pyramide - the original starting point for the first alpinists to climb Mont Blanc.
There is an exhibit about the glacier itself (how it's changed over the years) and about the two planes which crashed into the glacier in the 1940s. The Les Bossons glacier comes all the way down from Mont Blanc at 4810m.
Food Scene
Asian fusion food. One of the most original and consistently good restaurants in Chamonix.
Always has at least one if not two vegan menus.
Reservations normally required. Very highly recommended.
100 recommandé par les habitants
Munchie
87 Rue des MoulinsAsian fusion food. One of the most original and consistently good restaurants in Chamonix.
Always has at least one if not two vegan menus.
Reservations normally required. Very highly recommended.
A real micro brewery in Chamonix. The MBC is run by Canadians and features great beer, north American style food (burgers, nachos, specials, a vegetarian burger or two, fries and decadent desserts). The atmosphere is fun, a bit noisy and often bustling with people. Reservations for dinner are normally recommended. Some outside seating available in summer. Sometimes has North American and other sports projected on a large screen, some eves features live music. Great après ski atmosphere.
89 recommandé par les habitants
Micro-Brasserie de Chamonix, MBC
350 Rte du BouchetA real micro brewery in Chamonix. The MBC is run by Canadians and features great beer, north American style food (burgers, nachos, specials, a vegetarian burger or two, fries and decadent desserts). The atmosphere is fun, a bit noisy and often bustling with people. Reservations for dinner are normally recommended. Some outside seating available in summer. Sometimes has North American and other sports projected on a large screen, some eves features live music. Great après ski atmosphere.
Family owned restaurant with home made French food. In summer many of the vegetables come from their own garden. Friendly and generous servings. Cheese lovers will enjoy the selection available for the cheese course delivered via cart for you to choose to taste anything you like. Be sure to save room for the home made dessert buffet. Beautiful garden for aperitifs. The dining room has views of the Mont Blanc massif. Check ahead for tables as some weekend nights they may be reserved for weddings. Good value for money. Last seating for dinner at 21h.
23 recommandé par les habitants
Aiguille du Midi - Hôtel & Restaurant
479 Chem. NapoléonFamily owned restaurant with home made French food. In summer many of the vegetables come from their own garden. Friendly and generous servings. Cheese lovers will enjoy the selection available for the cheese course delivered via cart for you to choose to taste anything you like. Be sure to save room for the home made dessert buffet. Beautiful garden for aperitifs. The dining room has views of the Mont Blanc massif. Check ahead for tables as some weekend nights they may be reserved for weddings. Good value for money. Last seating for dinner at 21h.
A traditional Savoyarde style restaurant with excellent cheese fondue (the mushroom varieties here are particularly excellent) and other local specialities. Family run and friendly. Only open in high seasons (summer and ski season) so call to book a table before going.
14 recommandé par les habitants
Restaurant Le Tremplin
11 Rte du TremplinA traditional Savoyarde style restaurant with excellent cheese fondue (the mushroom varieties here are particularly excellent) and other local specialities. Family run and friendly. Only open in high seasons (summer and ski season) so call to book a table before going.
Very nice and local restaurant - only open in high seasons (summer and winter) featuring many cheese-based Savoyarde style dishes. Reservations recommended.
17 recommandé par les habitants
Chalets et Hôtel de Charme La Crèmerie du Glacier
333 Rte des RivesVery nice and local restaurant - only open in high seasons (summer and winter) featuring many cheese-based Savoyarde style dishes. Reservations recommended.
This modern style Italian family-owned restaurant features original and excellent food using mostly organic ingredients. Always has one vegan menu, and also cater for gluten free. Ask about their excellent vegan ice cream. Price range is medium high. Reservations recommended.
30 recommandé par les habitants
Restaurant Chamonix - L'impossible
9 Chem. du CryThis modern style Italian family-owned restaurant features original and excellent food using mostly organic ingredients. Always has one vegan menu, and also cater for gluten free. Ask about their excellent vegan ice cream. Price range is medium high. Reservations recommended.
This small café-bakery features home made baked goods and serves lunch too. It's run by a couple who absolutely love what they do. Small and friendly, with a fresh juice selection and great coffee and teas.
7 recommandé par les habitants
Pie Patisserie&café
73 Av. Ravanel le RougeThis small café-bakery features home made baked goods and serves lunch too. It's run by a couple who absolutely love what they do. Small and friendly, with a fresh juice selection and great coffee and teas.
This tiny and unique restaurant serves up fast food in a funky style. The restaurant is situated in the space between 2 buildings and is decorated with retro posters and objects. There is limited outside seating but the real treat is indoors. The long narrow upstairs seating almost guarantees you will meet fellow diners. The food is all made to order and decent. Mostly burgers, but also carry a vegetarian burger with pineapple and sprouted soy beans. Also serves beer on tap and in bottles.
26 recommandé par les habitants
Poco Loco
47 Rue du Dr PaccardThis tiny and unique restaurant serves up fast food in a funky style. The restaurant is situated in the space between 2 buildings and is decorated with retro posters and objects. There is limited outside seating but the real treat is indoors. The long narrow upstairs seating almost guarantees you will meet fellow diners. The food is all made to order and decent. Mostly burgers, but also carry a vegetarian burger with pineapple and sprouted soy beans. Also serves beer on tap and in bottles.
Not cheap to have just a coffee or a tea. Well, not cheap at all. But the desserts are the reason to come here. A huge variety of exquisite petits fours, tarts and all sorts of goodies. A few savoury items as well and of course, baguettes. Save a bit of dosh by taking your cakes to go - they charge extra for table service.
29 recommandé par les habitants
Aux Petits Gourmands
168 Rue du Dr PaccardNot cheap to have just a coffee or a tea. Well, not cheap at all. But the desserts are the reason to come here. A huge variety of exquisite petits fours, tarts and all sorts of goodies. A few savoury items as well and of course, baguettes. Save a bit of dosh by taking your cakes to go - they charge extra for table service.
Hand made chocolates, candies, marzipans and candied fruit. Philippe is the real deal - he makes all his candies himself personally. The sweets are amazing and taking some home will be a true "Chamonix-only" treat for you, your family and your friends - you simply cannot get these anywhere else.
Chocolatier
98 Rue Joseph VallotHand made chocolates, candies, marzipans and candied fruit. Philippe is the real deal - he makes all his candies himself personally. The sweets are amazing and taking some home will be a true "Chamonix-only" treat for you, your family and your friends - you simply cannot get these anywhere else.
Sushi in the Alps. Yes it's true. When you are tired of too much of the local cheese-heavy foods, this restaurant is a welcome relief. This is a Japanese-run restaurant with authentic sushi as well as a menu of traditional soups, tempura and wire-grilled meat dishes. The sushi range is limited due to availability of fish, but what is on offer is fresh and delicious. There are several sushi and soup options for vegetarians and vegans as well (ask about which items contain fish flakes however !). Reservations recommended in the evenings. They also have a very good lunch special daily (except weekends).
61 recommandé par les habitants
Satsuki
288 Rue Joseph VallotSushi in the Alps. Yes it's true. When you are tired of too much of the local cheese-heavy foods, this restaurant is a welcome relief. This is a Japanese-run restaurant with authentic sushi as well as a menu of traditional soups, tempura and wire-grilled meat dishes. The sushi range is limited due to availability of fish, but what is on offer is fresh and delicious. There are several sushi and soup options for vegetarians and vegans as well (ask about which items contain fish flakes however !). Reservations recommended in the evenings. They also have a very good lunch special daily (except weekends).
Every town needs a Chinese restaurant - and there are two in Chamonix. We feel this one is currently the better one. Very limited options for vegans and vegetarians unfortunately. Warning - the one tofu dish actually contains meat by default - so be sure to explain your dietary needs to the wait staff. (They will make this dish without meat on request).
Chez Yang
17 Rue du Dr PaccardEvery town needs a Chinese restaurant - and there are two in Chamonix. We feel this one is currently the better one. Very limited options for vegans and vegetarians unfortunately. Warning - the one tofu dish actually contains meat by default - so be sure to explain your dietary needs to the wait staff. (They will make this dish without meat on request).
A decent Indian restaurant. Ask for the lunch menu if you are eating here at noon - a very good deal for an extremely reasonable price. Many vegetarian dishes.
15 recommandé par les habitants
www.restaurantgandhi.fr
643 Av. des AlpagesA decent Indian restaurant. Ask for the lunch menu if you are eating here at noon - a very good deal for an extremely reasonable price. Many vegetarian dishes.
A great place to try excellent home-cooked traditional alpine farm style French cuisine made by chefs passionate about food. However, not for the budget conscious. For vegetarians you may ask for them to make something meat free - however vegans will be less likely to find something suitable as most vegetarian offerings will be cheese based.
85 recommandé par les habitants
La Maison Carrier
44 Rte du BouchetA great place to try excellent home-cooked traditional alpine farm style French cuisine made by chefs passionate about food. However, not for the budget conscious. For vegetarians you may ask for them to make something meat free - however vegans will be less likely to find something suitable as most vegetarian offerings will be cheese based.
Set along the golf course near La Flégère lift station - with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains.
This excellent restaurant is very popular with wedding groups so be sure to call for a booking. Described as "inventive" French cuisine, all the food here is cooked with a high level of skill. Several seafood dishes and many meat dishes. Any vegetarian options you are offered will quite likely be cheese-based and are sometimes not even on the menu (you must ask - also good to ask when booking).
They also serve lunch or you can stop by for a cocktail to watch the beautiful sunset from their outside lounge area.
Not exactly vegan-friendly - in fact, they still think vegetarians will eat fish.
48 recommandé par les habitants
La Cabane Des Praz
23 Rte du GolfSet along the golf course near La Flégère lift station - with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains.
This excellent restaurant is very popular with wedding groups so be sure to call for a booking. Described as "inventive" French cuisine, all the food here is cooked with a high level of skill. Several seafood dishes and many meat dishes. Any vegetarian options you are offered will quite likely be cheese-based and are sometimes not even on the menu (you must ask - also good to ask when booking).
They also serve lunch or you can stop by for a cocktail to watch the beautiful sunset from their outside lounge area.
Not exactly vegan-friendly - in fact, they still think vegetarians will eat fish.
Entertainment & Activities
Les Gaillands has some pretty lakes and several sport climbing crags with many 1-2 pitch climbs of all difficulty levels. It is about a 15 minute walk from the chalet on wooded paths.
There is also a high ropes accro park called Cham'Aventure with 5 different routes (this requires a fee to enter) of varying difficulties. This area is managed by qualified mountain guides who will rent you the gear and assure you use it properly on each route.
24 recommandé par les habitants
Les Gaillands
Les Gaillands has some pretty lakes and several sport climbing crags with many 1-2 pitch climbs of all difficulty levels. It is about a 15 minute walk from the chalet on wooded paths.
There is also a high ropes accro park called Cham'Aventure with 5 different routes (this requires a fee to enter) of varying difficulties. This area is managed by qualified mountain guides who will rent you the gear and assure you use it properly on each route.
Outdoor swimming pool in summer with a stunning view of Mont Blanc, indoor pool, saunas, weight room (rather primitive but effective equipment) and exercise bikes and treadmills.
69 recommandé par les habitants
Centre Sportif Richard Bozon
214 Av. de la PlageOutdoor swimming pool in summer with a stunning view of Mont Blanc, indoor pool, saunas, weight room (rather primitive but effective equipment) and exercise bikes and treadmills.
The Parc d'Attractions has a summer luge going down the winter ski run (on a rail), an accro park (high ropes course in the trees), as well as some arcade games and smaller rides. It is open in summer high season and on weekends in Spring and Autumn. Check their website for opening hours.
42 recommandé par les habitants
Domaine des Planards
351 Chem. du Pied du GreponThe Parc d'Attractions has a summer luge going down the winter ski run (on a rail), an accro park (high ropes course in the trees), as well as some arcade games and smaller rides. It is open in summer high season and on weekends in Spring and Autumn. Check their website for opening hours.
Parks & Nature
The Parc Merlet has many local mountain animals in a very large fenced in park. The animals are in their natural surroundings. You can view Ibex, Chamois and other mountain animals. There is an entry fee and the park is only open for visitors in the late Spring until early Autumn. Dogs are not allowed - even on leashes. You can reach it via hiking from our house (45 minutes to 1 hour depending on your speed) or via car from a road near the Les Houches train station.
24 recommandé par les habitants
Merlet
The Parc Merlet has many local mountain animals in a very large fenced in park. The animals are in their natural surroundings. You can view Ibex, Chamois and other mountain animals. There is an entry fee and the park is only open for visitors in the late Spring until early Autumn. Dogs are not allowed - even on leashes. You can reach it via hiking from our house (45 minutes to 1 hour depending on your speed) or via car from a road near the Les Houches train station.
This area has activities for children in summer (poney rides etc.) and is in a beautiful woods with a shallow stream. It has a flat gravel trail which is suitable for sports strollers. One of the flatter walking paths in Chamonix. Can be accessed from town centre via walking on the trails along the river, by car (park at the Golf course car park) or via bus line 1 or 2.
8 recommandé par les habitants
Promenade du Paradis des Praz
Promenade du Paradis des PrazThis area has activities for children in summer (poney rides etc.) and is in a beautiful woods with a shallow stream. It has a flat gravel trail which is suitable for sports strollers. One of the flatter walking paths in Chamonix. Can be accessed from town centre via walking on the trails along the river, by car (park at the Golf course car park) or via bus line 1 or 2.
Shopping
This is the biggest sports store in Chamonix. Snell stocks supplies for skiing, hiking, mountaineering, climbing, camping etc. as well as renting skis and hiking equipment.
31 recommandé par les habitants
Snell Sports
104 Rue du Dr PaccardThis is the biggest sports store in Chamonix. Snell stocks supplies for skiing, hiking, mountaineering, climbing, camping etc. as well as renting skis and hiking equipment.