General Town Information, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc

Favorite thing: SORRY BUT UNFORTUNATELY THE CYBAR BURNT IN A FIRE IN 2007 AND HAS NOT BEEN REBUILT AS OF 2009.

The CyBar is a cyber cafe with lots of computers (price is about €1/10 min) as well as a bar (and they serve coffee or hot chocolate too). Book computer time downstairs at the bar. Lots of 'hang out' room upstairs during the day, with couches and coffee tables letting you gather with friends. Notice boards listing stuff for sale and roommate ads. New this year is restaurant service - I haven't tried the food yet so can't comment. They have redone some of the decor and everything looks pretty spiffy.

Great outdoor terrace in summer (upstairs) with good mountain views. A bit smokey in winter (could use a better ventilation system).

Definitely a 'must see' for those doing a season in Chamonix - good message boards to find gear for sale, old cars, even sometimes roommate wanted ads. You can even arrange to plug in your laptop to the network here and do some work on the road if you get on nicely with the techies who work there.

At night, especially in 'high season' during the winter, the Cybar turns into a real party bar with DJs and dancing.

Located on Rue des Moulins - hard to miss once you find the street itself, which is a pedestrian zone along the Arve river. Entrance to the street from next to Irish coffee, or at the opposite end across the street from the Galeries Alpina/Saturday market area. 80 Rue des Moulins is the exact address - phone +33 (0)4 50 53 64 80

Favorite thing: During one of our hikes we heard rolling moreens above our trail. Accidents easily happen.

It might be not a bad idea to take the number of the Mountain rescue with you on your hikes. The mountains are cell-covered.
+33(0)4.50.53.16.89

Favorite thing: i used the tourist information a few times and i had a few complicated questions as i was partly in chamonix for work, but the charming ladies at the tourist information were always ready to go out of their way to help me with my odd questions.
there was no french arrogance there, so don't hestitate to ask them for help if you are in town.
they are doing a damn good job.

Favorite thing: If you plan to stay a few days you'll probably take some cable cars, gondolas, chairlifts or tramways to several sites, especially while these sites are inaccessible by car.
Depending on the moment of the day, you'll have to deal with long queues at the cash desk.

You might consider buying an all-in "Multipass Mont-Blanc", which is a badge allowing you a quick and easy access to the sites and domains from the Compagnie du Mont-Blanc, with some extra advantages.

for instance: 3 consecutive days: € 71,50 /adult (price Summer 2006).
We would have paid € 111 for our excursions without multipass.

Available at any of the Compagnie du Mont-Blanc cash desks.

Favorite thing: The office doesn't only provides brochures and information about the several "must do" activities, but also they organize (English)guided day excursions by touring bus to Switzerland and Italy.
For instance to Aosta and the Lago Maggiore.

Also for a free map of the city, this is the place to go.

Location of the office: next to the church, at the "Place du Triangle de l'Amitié, 85"

Favorite thing: Chamonix has been totally destroyed by a fire in 1885, so you'll need to search very carefully to find something of the original town, like the old Saint-Michel church here.

Luckily Chamonix has been nicely rebuilt . The centre is still very charming and cosy. Especially the area around the turbulent river (more pictures soon in my travellogues).

Favorite thing: If you are on budget, then you'll need to be selective when it comes to buying food. Meats are expensive while wine, cheese, breads and other stuff are less expensive.

And don't leave the shopping till around 4pm or later, as you'll not find a bagette of bread available in any shop.

I think I ate spaghetti with butter and a bottle of wine every night I was there (I ate the bottle too! no really!)

Fondest memory: wiiiiiiiine!

Favorite thing: 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).