Montenvers
by sandysmith
Montenvers - this is the station where you catch the train for the 'Mer de Glace' trip. Stunning view from the start.
Train du Montenvers
35, place de la Mer de Glace
F-74400 Chamonix Mont-Blanc
Tél. : 00 33 (0)4 50 53 12 54
http://www.mer-de-glace.com
rafting from Chamonix
by hydroglisse
run the rivers on raft, or swimm on the white water, under the top of the Alpes. Laurent guide you with a very nice and funny ambiance in this activites. Specialist from 20 years in the Mont Blanc Area, come with Chamonix HYDROGLISSE. The equipment is composed with : wetsuits, shoes, (glowes and flippers for swimming), life jacket, paddles, boat, ...
You come just with your swimmsuit and towel.
La chapelle des Praz
by mariev
This small, very photogenic, chapel, below the Druz is part of a yearly cultural pilgrimage combining religion and music.
It is located in the hamlet of les Praz (meaning the meadows), half way from Chamonix and Argentieres.
Small Cozy Cafe with Great Pasteries
by firechick about Gouthe
Gouthe is a wonderful small cafe run by a friendly French couple, with home-baked pasteries and delicious hot chocolate, coffee, smoothies and a big variety of teas. Also a very good hot white wine in winter (vin chaud), which is unique and delicious.
Lunch specials are also available in the summer 'high season' otherwise, strictly for tea time and dessert breaks. Chocolate Mille Feuille, any fruit tart (esp. wild blueberry), hot chocolate (creamy and verrrry chocolatey)
Tour du Mont Blanc
by firechick
Multi-day hiking adventures on the famous Tour du Mont Blanc trail can start from Chamonix or nearby Les Houches. This trail is over 165km (100 miles) long and holds many breathtaking mountain views as it circumnavigates the Mont Blanc massif, and passes through three countries - France, Italy and Switzerland.
If you do not have time to do the full tour, you can walk (in either direction) to Courmayeur Italy (1/2 way) and take a bus back through the Mt Blanc Tunnel, or take the lift from Entreves to Pt Helbronner, and across to the Aiguille du Midi and back down to Chamonix for a more breathtaking finish to the journey.
You can find out more information about this route on many web sites such as starting with this one: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tour_du_Mont_Blanc and this one http://www.walkingthetmb.com/
The main season for doing the Tour du Mont Blanc is late June until early September. Before and after this time, the huts will be closing. Always check ahead to find out which huts will be open when you are planning to do the trip. Peak time on the trail is July and August. Snow can be found on the trail in June and September, depending upon weather conditions, and be prepared with enough layers in your backpack for cold wet weather or even snow on the high cols at any time of the year.