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 | Chamonix-Mont-Blanc Local Customs | Tips 1 - 10 of 12 |  |
 Wild Lily in the Reserve
Naturel Aiguilles Rouges by firechick
So, unless you are rude to start with, things normally go OK.
What is rude? Well, a major rude thing many tourists do is going into a store or restaurant without acknowledging the owner/workers with a friendly 'bonjour' and instead, starting things off with demands (usually in English) rather than greetings.
It is customary to say 'Bonjour' or 'Bonsoir' (good day or good evening) first. Even 'Hello' is better than nothing! Even at the checkout line of the supermarket!
Fail to do this, and suddenly you find 'those snobby French' being cold to you -- and that's because you just acted like their stereotypes of boorish English or American tourists - which around here are also quite strong, and sadly well-deserved.
I just once found myself on the receiving end of rude service when I started out being friendly. Big deal - I've had worse waiters in Chicago.
I've also had waiters/waitresses thank me and be extra friendly for my attempt at speaking French - especially in the middle of the busy season, clearly relieved at having a guest who was polite and nice to deal with.
Are there French here in Chamonix who dislike the English ? - Yes, some - and more the Brits specifically than English-speakers in general (there is a huge ex-pat UK community here and some fear they are 'taking over'). Is this always the case? No - one of the weddings in Cham this summer was between a UK ex-pat and an old Chamonix family...so things can move forwards!
Don't add fuel to the fire - build the bridge rather than burn it!
Article on French culture Leave a Comment
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 very fine local beer. by cachaseiro
i'm a big beer lover and can assure you that this stuff is way better than your typical watery kronenbourg and 1664.
mont blanc beer comes in several varieties and i would recommend the "mont blanc blanche" for a sunny day. Leave a Comment
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 Chamonix, 14th of July by Martinewezel
Flags are put out everywhere , a military parade in the afternoon , a bal populaire at night and a big firework at the end.
And in Chamonix, the firework is worth the wile! Leave a Comment
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They are present in large numbers and year after year there are more of them. Little ones, big ones, whole fields of stone piles.
By adding a stone when crossing, hikers help these piles growing. Some of them are very nice.
The climax is at "Le Signal", high above the "Mer de Glace", where there are hundreds of these piles (see second picture in this tip). Leave a Comment
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 Pleasure from the Fondue or
the grandparents, (not by dabidc
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. Leave a Comment
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Not so much a culture related situaton, simply a chance to look for the effect of the sunset on the mountains.
From the town of Chamonix.
The first 4 photos are from the town they show a cloudy sky with the sun shine catching the clouds.
The fifth photo is the morning sun on the Mont Blanc Massif, sorry not at dawn, I was too late for that. Leave a Comment
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 The Cosmiques Arrete by firechick
Therefore, don't expect to get the bill with your food, for example. It is considered rude to 'drop the bill' on someone's table without that person requesting it. If you are in a rush - make that clear before sitting down.
Otherwise, sit back and relax and enjoy. The normal time allowed for lunch breaks in France is 2.5 hours! If you want to get the bill soon, request 'L'addition, s'il vous plait' when you order your coffee or desserts at the end of the meal.
Tip between 5-10%, by the way - not 15-20%, as waiters here get paid better than their American counterparts and don't expect huge tips. Leave a Comment
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 Buvet at the Cascade du
Berard (near Vallorcine) by firechick
Not only is this polite, it will help to prevent accidents - especially in winter when roads and trails are slippery. Leave a Comment
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 by Manara
The scenario it depicted was rather ugly, with the locals resenting badly because British buyers had sent house prices skyrocketing, local businesses were bought and run by Brits for Brits, restaurants or tea-rooms had staff who spoke no French at all, taxi drivers complained that they did not hear French spoken any more in the centre of town.
When I finally managed to spend a holiday in Chamonix, I found that although the town is full with visitors of many nationalities, it still is very French, with the majority of holiday homes still owned, and happily used, by the French. And whenever my little French failed me and I asked “parlez-vous anglais ou l'italien?” I always met people who could speak English and did not seem displeased at doing so.
I don’t know if the situation has changed in the last few years, or if the journalist had very much exaggerated the problem. Maybe both.
The pub you see in my picture was founded by an Irish but now belongs to a French, who has maintained the pub’s Irish name. It may be evidence that locals and foreigners can get along well. Leave a Comment
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 Tartiflette by Manara
We soon learned more about it, because it seemed to be an essential ingredient whenever people got together to eat, drink and be merry.
It is a dish, very tasty and also very caloric, consisting mainly of potatoes, pieces of bacon and melted cheese.
I also learned that although in all menus it is listed among the typical local dishes, it is not actually a traditional dish. Apparently it was invented around 1980. Anyway, there must have been a time when traditional dishes were new. So long live the tartiflette, which in a few decades has become a classic!
In the website quoted below you will find the recipe, in English. Leave a Comment
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More Chamonix-Mont-Blanc Tips |
- Morgane
145 avenue de l'Aiguille du Midi, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc - Hameau Albert Premier Hotel
Pierre Et Martine Carrier, 38 Route Du Bouchet, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc - Hotel Les Cretes Blanches
16, Impasse du Genepy, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc - Pointe Isabelle
165, avenue Michel Croz,, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc - Les Balcons Du Savoy
179, rue Mummery, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc - Residence Maeva L'Aiguille
171 Place Edmond Desailloud, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc - Alpina
79 Avenue du Mont-Blanc, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc - Pierre & Vacances Residence Les Aiglons
166, Avenue de Courmayeur, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc - Mercure Chamonix Les Bossons Hotel
Route blanche Vers le Nant Les Bossons, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc - Aiglons Hotel
270, avenue de Courmayeur, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc - Hotel la Vallee Blanche
Rue du Lyret, 36, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc - Richemond Hotel
228, rue Docteur Paccard, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc - Croix Blanche
81 rue Vallot BP 135, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc - Residence Maeva La Riviere
187 Promenade Marie Paradis (formerly Résidence Orion), Chamonix-Mont-Blanc - Le Cantou
9 chemin Pierre Belle, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc
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