10 Best Things to Do
Chamonix sits beneath Mont Blanc, where cable cars climb from a lively valley town into a landscape of glaciers and granite peaks. Ride to the Aiguille du Midi or take the red train to Montenvers, then return for Alpine cooking and a comfortable hotel. Summer brings high pastures and walks around Lac Blanc; winter changes the valley into a base for mountain sports. Les Praz, Le Lavancher and Argentière offer quieter places to stay beyond the centre.
Aiguille du Midi
Chamonix, France
The Aiguille du Midi cable car rises from Chamonix to terraces high above the valley, facing Mont Blanc and its surrounding peaks. The changing scale of the landscape is the attraction, from the wooded lower slopes to the ice and rock near the summit. Allow time for the viewing areas rather than rushing between them. Operations depend on mountain weather and maintenance: the announced autumn closure runs from 2 November to 18 December 2026. Reserve and check the live operating report.
High mountain views without a climb
Montenvers and the Mer de Glace
Montenvers, France
Board the red rack railway in Chamonix for the climb to Montenvers, where the Mer de Glace lies below sharp granite peaks. The journey and the viewpoints make a memorable outing in their own right; the ice cave is an additional visit when open. Train, gondola and cave operations have separate calendars. Autumn maintenance closes the railway from early November into December 2026, and the cave is scheduled to reopen on 17 December. Check the current service before buying tickets.
A rack-railway journey into the mountains
Brévent and Planpraz
Chamonix, France
The mountains opposite Mont Blanc provide one of the clearest ways to appreciate the whole range. From Chamonix, take the gondola to Planpraz and, when operating, the cable car onwards to Brévent. The terraces and viewpoints can fill a relaxed visit, while summer trails offer longer options for prepared walkers. Check both lift sections separately: reaching Planpraz does not guarantee access to the summit. The published autumn closure runs from 2 November to 11 December 2026.
A wide view of the Mont Blanc range
Lac Blanc Hike
Aiguilles Rouges, France
Lac Blanc sits in the Aiguilles Rouges, with the Mont Blanc massif spread across the opposite side of the valley. The route from the Flégère lift still requires a substantial mountain walk, so treat it as a hiking day rather than an easy lakeside stroll. The reward is the combination of rocky shore, clear water and glacier views. Go only when trail and snow conditions permit, consult La Chamoniarde beforehand, and respect the prohibition on swimming in the lakes.
Alpine lakes and glacier panoramas
Musée du Mont-Blanc
Chamonix, France
The former Alpine Museum reopened as the Musée du Mont-Blanc in July 2026 after a substantial renovation. Its enlarged exhibition spaces provide a cultural stop in central Chamonix, complementing the cable-car rides and walks that draw most visitors to the valley. Combine it with time in town, especially when mountain weather limits plans. The museum has a seasonal programme and winter break: it closes from 2 November to 15 December 2026, before reopening on 16 December.
Understanding the valley beyond its views
Musée des Cristaux
Chamonix, France
The Musée des Cristaux reveals a different side of the Mont Blanc massif through mineral specimens, including smoky quartz and pink-red fluorites. The collection then widens to examples from elsewhere in the Alps and around the world. Displays make this a rewarding indoor visit without requiring a specialist interest, while scheduled tours with local crystal collectors add another perspective. Check the seasonal calendar: the museum closes from 16 November to 14 December 2026, and guided visits require advance reservations.
Seeing the mountains at mineral scale
Gorges de la Diosaz
Servoz, France
At Servoz, a maintained path follows the Diosaz through a narrow gorge, using bridges and walkways fixed above the torrent. Waterfalls, rock walls and the shade of the ravine give the walk a character quite different from the valley’s open mountain trails. There are numerous steps, so it is unsuitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs. This is a seasonal attraction rather than a winter outing; the announced 2027 visiting season runs from late May to early October, subject to conditions.
A summer walk above waterfalls
QC Spa Chamonix
Chamonix, France
QC Spa Chamonix offers a slower way to enjoy the mountain setting, with indoor and outdoor bathing spaces, saunas and relaxation rooms. Panoramic pools keep the landscape part of the experience even when you are taking a break from walking or skiing. Choose a visit length that leaves time to move through the different areas without rushing, and book treatments separately if wanted. Reserve ahead for busy periods and check the centre’s admission conditions before planning a visit with children.
An afternoon of pools and mountain views
Climbing at Les Gaillands
Les Gaillands, France
The cliffs at Les Gaillands sit between lake and forest close to Chamonix, making rock climbing accessible without a long mountain approach. The Compagnie des Guides offers supervised sessions for beginners and climbers looking to improve, with both group and private formats. Routes vary in style and difficulty, allowing an instructor to match the session to your experience. Book the appropriate age group and confirm equipment arrangements: inclusions differ between group and private lessons, and suitable weather remains essential.
A guided introduction to rock climbing
Col de Balme Hike
Le Tour and Col de Balme, France
Above Le Tour, the walk towards Col de Balme passes through Alpine pasture to the border between France and Switzerland. Views stretch back along the Chamonix valley and across surrounding peaks, with a more open, grassy character than the rocky slopes around Lac Blanc. The Charamillon gondola can shorten the ascent during its summer operating season. Check the trail, weather and lift timetable before setting out, and leave enough time to return before the final descent.
High pastures on the Swiss border