Residence Maeva La Riviere
Hotel Class: 
3 Stars - 23 Opinions
187 Promenade Marie Paradis, (formerly Résidence Orion), Chamonix, Haute-Savoie, 74400, France
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77%
of people enjoy staying here
23 Opinions
- Excellent
- 2
- Very Good
- 12
- Average
- 4
- Poor
- 3
- Terrible
- 2
More about Chamonix-Mont-Blanc
Photos
Chamonix Town Centre
View from col de Tricot
the tourist information in chamonix.
Yes, not your average ski run. Crevasse on VB
Forum Posts
moosic
by moosic
My husband and friends are planning on traveling from Macon, France to Aosta, Italy via A40 in mid-October of 2010. We are wondering what the road conditions would be like that time of year, and if their are tolls associated with that route. I assume we would be using the Mont-Blanc tunnel. We are actually planning on leaving early morning from Paris and hope to make the trip in one day. Is this feasible? If any of you have taken this route in the past I would appreciate hearing from you. Thanks
Re: moosic
by Beausoleil
Hi. Michelin says 6.5 hours and 670 km from Paris to Aosta via Macon. That sounds okay if they don't mind that much driving (and sitting). We would probably divide it into a 2-day trip and do some sightseeing along the way.
You can check various routes and get a list of tolls you may have to pay at the Michelin web site. http://www.viamichelin.com/
The route I put in gave tolls as about 81 euros. If you click on the Michelin map, you can pull the route line around and change it. Or you can simply choose to find a route without tolls . . . but it will take longer.
It should be a pretty spectacular drive. Enjoy.
Re: moosic
by firechick
The Mont Blanc tunnel has a hefty fee of something like 35€ one way. There is no easy way around this either. I suggest getting off the motorway in between the tunnel and Aosta on the Italian side, or you will see nothing because almost the whole motorway in Italy is underground, and there is some great scenery including castles. Of course if it's already dark, it won't matter so stay on the motorway. http://www.atmb.net/fr/ is the address that has fees for the tunnel and the ATMB owned sections of the road.
Personally, I think it is silly to do the drive in 1 day unless you are really really pressed for time. There are some great places to stay along the way - for example the Burgundy region has great hotels and food and charming small towns - why not take time to enjoy the trip a little bit ? Otherwise it's often just long stretches of boring motorway driving, not too spectacular at all until you actually reach Chamonix. A lot of the really good scenery is hidden from the highway ...
Travel Tips for Chamonix-Mont-Blanc
Random Factoids - Layout & Population
by firechick
Chamonix is in the north-western Alps, 15 km from the Swiss border (via the Col des Montets) and 15 km from Italy (via the Mont-Blanc tunnel). The border of these three countries meet at 3820 meters on the summit of Mont Dolent.
The Chamonix valley sits in between the Mont Blanc massif to the south and the Aiguilles Rouges to the north. The town center is at an altitude of 1035 meters and the top of the valley in the village of Le Tour is at an altitude of 1462 meters.
The source of the Arve river (the main river of the Haute Savoie) is at the Col de Balme in Le Tour. The Arve flows through the Chamonix valley picking up flow from the surrounding glaciers, and travels all the way down to Geneva where it joins the Rhône river. It is much higher in summer when the color is milky due to glacial runoff, and lower and crystal clear in winter when the river is fed by snowmelt and underground springs.
The permanent population of Chamonix is something over 10,000 people. The number of people in town increases dramatically during the tourist season - in Summer up to 100,000 visitors per day arrive, and in Winter approximately 60,000 per day visit during school holidays and New Year holidays. Slowest season is normally late October and early November when most of the people you will see in town are actually living there permanently....
Chamonix is twinned with Aspen (America), Davos (Switzerland), Fujiyoshida (Japan), Cilaos (La Reunion), Garmish Partenkirchen (Germany) and Courmayeur (Italy).
Enjoying a cheese Fondue.
by dabidc
I was waiting for the bus to Chamonix and spent some time in a little cafe across from the Swiss staion at the border with France at Le Chatelard.
An older couple sitting in the corner were enjoying the fondue, when along comes the bright young lady, I think a grandaughterto older couple. Well she was soon eating with them and really enjoying the food, completely oblivious of anyone else.
The result is this photo a little dark maybe but it shows her enjoyment at being with the couple.
River rafting in the Arve
by Martinewezel
Our kids enjoyed very much their rafting afternoon in the Arve. It was an excursion of about 2 hours down the valley and traversing the wild Arve river in town.
First a short rafting course, followed by 45 minutes of action in the river, a hot shower and a transport back to Chamonix.
Important: provide yourself with twice the amount of the price if you also like the dvd with 25 action photos! Equipment provided.
Only need to bring a swim short and a towel.
Getting FROM Chamonix TO Geneva - Transfer Bus
by JumpmanPro
According to the Chamonix Bus/Shuttle/Transfer services I spoke with, Saturday seems to be the busiest day for travelling to and from Chamonix. I think this is due to the fact that accommodations are only booked from Saturday to Saturday, thus those who arrived via Geneva airport were leaving Chamonix on Saturday back for the airport. Alpy Bus was booked solid the Saturday I left, but I managed to reserve a seat with CHAMONIX SHUTTLES. I had an early pick-up time, and the driver was there, even 15 min. early! The trip is a bit expensive, EUR 40 per person, one way, but this was the price another bus transfer service quoted me anyways.
Needless to say, I HIGHLY recommend reserving seats on this and any other transfer bus service well in advance, both individuals and groups!
Chamonix Shuttles
Contact: Steve
Tel.: 0033-680-90-75-06
www.chamonixshuttles.com
enquiries@chamonixshuttles.com
To the glacier
by Manara
There are several glaciers in the massif of the Mont Blanc, but none of them is a s big as the Mer de Glace (Sea of Ice), which is the biggest glacier in France, with a surface area of 40 square Km. At its centre the ice is 120 metres thick.
The way to get a close view of this glacier is by catching a little train to Montenvers, where there are panoramic terraces (and a restaurant and a café as well). The view from here is wonderful beyond description.
While in Montenvers it is interesting to visit also the Crystal Gallery and the Alpine Fauna Musem. Entrance to both is free.
The train to Montenvers has its own station in Chamonix (Gare de Montenvers) a short way from the SNCF station. The return ticket costs EUR 17. If you want to add a gondola trip to get closer to the glacier (see next tip) the combination ticket costs EUR 21.
Hotel Helper
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc
Questions and Answers
Q: Can you travel with luggage into Italy? "Hello, my wife and I are planning a trip to France/Italy/Spain. We read about the unique cable car ride from Aiguille du Midi into..."
A: "How much luggage is a "lot of luggage?" The cable cars are for skiers (and tourists) but not really used like trains or buses so although the are equipped for ski..."
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