Other Activities

An independent review from Marie d'Oysonville

Other Activities > Attractions

Not everybody is born to ski; if you shun the slopes or just want to take a break, Chamonix offers a wide range of activities during the day. Since the valley has an ancient history, it offers a good opportunity for you to discover one of the most beautiful and traditional parts of France. You can learn how mountain dwellers used to live in a lost countryside and harsh climate by visiting the museums or talking with locals. There are a lot of monuments, old churches, and old villages all around the town, making for a beautiful walk. And further, you can take some day trips to famous cities like Geneva or Annecy.

If you prefer to stay in town, you can go shopping in the pedestrian center or enjoy the numerous events and festivals organized all throughout the season.

Other Activities > Festivals And Events

There are plenty of festivals going on all year-round in Chamonix; the variety of the events is one of the town’s best assets. It’s very likely that you’ll see some stars participating in the events, but most of them will be French, so you might not even notice.

Between November and March, the town hosts a slalom race and there is also a cross-country skiing night outing that is organized. You might get to see former top model Estelle Halliday participating in the car race on ice taking place in February.

In May, the young scientists will be delighted to go to the Festival des Sciences de la Terre et de ses Hommes. In the summer months of June, July, and August sporting and musical events take center stage. On July the 14th, everybody will be rushing to see the Bastille Day fireworks. More traditional mountain events and fairs will start in August and continue through September and October.

Don’t forget to look out for all the fairs, Christmas markets, exhibitions, and sportive events organized in the villages and resorts around Chamonix.

Other Activities > Excursions

Want to take a break? Take a day trip to one of the famous cities of the region. You can take the Ligne de Haute-Savoie railroad, opened in 1901 to carry the tourists to Chamonix, and visit the French towns of Megève, Annecy, or St Gervais; the journey itself through the tunnels and mountains is worth it.

At only 30 kilometers (18 miles) from Chamonix, Megève is an authentic old Savoy village grown into an elegant resort (Baroness de Rotschild developed it to host royal visitors in the 1920s). Do as a lot of stars did and check out the luxury hotels (even if you’re not able to stay in them). For a bit of exercise, go for a walk on the old streets around the 14th-century church.

You should also discover Annecy, a little further (90 kilometers/56 miles from Chamonix), the lovely capital of the region on the shore of the purest lake in France. The old town is beautiful, and there’s enough shopping, theater, and cinemas to keep anyone busy.

You can also make the Italian or Swiss sun, since Chamonix is at both borders. At one hour by car, discover the charm of Italy in Courmayeur. Try a cappuccino and go around the Aoste valley to find ham and an Italian way of life.

Finally, if you really need a big town to have fun, Geneva offers you city life in the oldest and richest Swiss town: shops, monuments, famous fountains, and all the entertainment you need—only an hour-and-a-half by car from Chamonix.

A lot of tours are organized from Chamonix; just ask the Tourist Office for updated information.

Other Activities > Shopping

With 280 shops, Chamonix offers a wide swath of possibilities for shopping—mostly touristy and sportive, but there are also luxury and local food shops. There’s a department store on the border of the town where you can find anything you need for a good price. If you prefer, weekly markets offer traditional produces and items (wood-carved) that make good presents. In the pedestrian center, luxury and mountain gear shops alternate with bars and bakeries.

If you are a shopping addict, you can go to the very smart shops of Megève, and if it’s still not enough, Geneve should be the right place.

Other Activities > Spas

Unfortunately, there are no full-out spas in Chamonix, except for the ones in the luxurious hotels, and these are for guests only. But Evian is not so far (two hours by car) if you really want to relax: it’s a spa town where you can drink the world-famous mineral water.

Other Activities > Tourist Attractions

Most of the museums of the Vallée Blanche are dedicated to ancestral traditions and a rural lifestyle. The prices are very reasonable, and children usually pay half-price.

The Musée Montagnard et Rural in Les Houches and the Musée de Barberine in Vallorcine are both housed in structures from the 18th century. You’ll get to know how life was for the Savoyards during the 18th and 19th centuries through the exhibition of ancestral objects and agricultural tools. (Note that the Musée de Barberine is only open during the summer.)

If you can only visit one museum, then you should go to the Musée du Haut Val d’Arly in Megève; not only will you learn about life here up until the beginning of the 20th century, but you will also get to learn more about the history of winter sports in the valley and the making of cheese and other farm products and crafts typical of the region. You will definitely want to come on a Wednesday evening to meet some of the locals. You can then take a walk to the Musée de Megève, which reveals the history and traditions of the village and houses several religious objects.

To learn more about the history of skiing, mountain climbing, and scientific research in the valley, check out the Musée Alpin in Chamonix.

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