Whether you live in Chamonix or you plan on traveling there, you are probably looking for something fun to do this summer. If so, that’s perfect, for this article has what you are looking for. Here is my list of the best activities in Chamonix that you should do during the summer season.
Taking an electric Mountain Bike ride
For those of you who love riding a bike, a Mountain Bike ride in the Mont Blanc region will be a good way for you to enjoy your stay to its fullest.
When you are riding an electric mountain bike in this region, you don’t have to worry about being as skillful as the famous biker Richard Virenque to take on the slopes in the mountains.
Your ride in the mountains will start at the bottom of the Mer de Glace glacier, and during your 7-kilometer ride, don’t forget to admire the landscape that stands before you. You might be lucky enough to spot the Mont Blanc in the distance, which is an incredible sight.
This environmental activity is the best way for you to admire the Savoyard landscape without having to harm nature.
More information and booking (website in French)
Climbing the Aiguille du Midi summit
Address: 100 Place de l’Aiguille du Midi, 74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc
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The Aiguille du Midi summit is without a doubt the most popular touristic location of the entire city, and it is also one of the highest summits (3,842 meters above sea level) in France, so why not climb that mountain during your visit in Chamonix?
The Plan de l’Aiguille can be reached in 10 minutes via cable car, and it will offer you a beautiful sight of the mountain. Then you can take another cable car, this one arriving at the second “station” which has a magnificent view of the Mont-Blanc mountain waiting for you.
Warning: even during the hot days of summer, a lot of people go climbing this mountain and the temperature will be ranging from -1°C to 4°C, so our advice is to have warm clothing on you.
Price: €63 (round-trip for adults), €53.60 (round-trip for children between 5 to 14 years old), free for children under 5 years old.
We recommend: a guided tour in the Aiguille du Midi (half-day) (website in French)
Boarding the Mont-Blanc tramway
Do you want to visit the mountain landscapes while also sitting down warmly and peacefully? Then embark the Mont-Blanc tramway.
The trip lasts for one hour, and will take you to the Nid d’Aigle, located at the bottom of the Bionnassay glacier (2,372 meters above sea level). Here’s our advice: sit down next to the window to enjoy a breathtaking view of the landscape.
After this tramway trip, you can go hiking in the mountains. And when coming back, there are two options available for you: either you take the same tramway that goes in the opposite direction, or you take the footpath.
During summer, the Mont-Blanc tramway is in service from mid-June to late September.
Price: €33 (round-trip for adults), €28.10 (round-trip for children between 5 to 15 years old)
Visiting the Mountain Museum
Address: 2 Rue de l’Église, 74310 Les Houches
Chamonix has a few museums for you to visit, one of them being the Mountain Museum in the village of Les Houches, a museum focused on the rural life in the mountains along with some reconstructions.
Founded in 1977 in the heart of the village, many objects belonging to mountain tradition are preserved in this museum, its founders being willing to protect the inheritance.
This museum is only available during the school holidays, but it’s closed during the following public holidays: January 1st (New Years), May 1st (Labor Day), and December 25th (Christmas).
Price: €4 (full price)
Going on a hike to Le Lac Blanc
Accessible using the Flégères cable car, Lac Blanc is a sublime location in the Aiguilles Rouges massif, and its view of the landscape is breathtaking.
With a hike of more than one hour to get there, nature opens its arms to you for you to admire it and reconnect with it. Just next to the Lac Blanc, a refuge is available if you are planning on sticking around tonight.
This hike to Le Lac Blanc starting from Le Col du Calvaire is nice, but the difficulty of this path is medium due to it being uneven land.
If you want to go hiking at Le Lac Blanc while making sure children who are 11 years old and up can hike along with you, walk around the lake on the right shore, and you will reach the northern side of the lake in 20 minutes (on flat land). The climb may be tough, but it’ll be worth it to have this magnificent view of the lake.
Regarding temperatures, it is usually hot there, but plan on having a sweatshirt on you in case the wind starts blowing.
We recommend: the hike for children to go to Le Lac Blanc (website in French)
Visit the Mer de Glace
Address: 35 Place de la Mer de Glace, 74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc
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Mer de Glace is one of Europe’s largest glaciers, so there is no way you can not go visit it.
There are two ways for you to go there: taking the cogwheel train going to Montenvers in 20 minutes, or going for a hike as you follow the Grand Balcon Nord path for two hours until you get to the Montenvers station.
Once you have reached the top, enjoy the panoramic view of the Mer de Glace, and enter the ice cave, which may remind you of the movie Ice Age, almost as if you were in a scene of that movie.
If the history of La Mer de Glace fascinates you and you want to know more about it, head to the Glaciorium, an interactive and user-friendly place that will definitely answer all your questions regarding this iconic location of Chamonix.
Price: €34 (adults), €28.90 (children)
Climbing Trail in the mountains
Climbing the trail is just like mountain climbing, the only difference being that the course is secured with wire ropes that you can hold onto without having to fear falling, and you’ll have a guide who will be by your side during the whole course.
Available for everyone, even those who are not experienced, come experience thrills with your friends or your family as you climb the rocky wall. Along the way, you’ll have to avoid numerous obstacles, like ladders, metal bridges, or empty spaces.
The view of the mountains is a sight to behold, and the activity lasts for around 4 hours. It is suitable for everyone, even those who have a fear of heights.
Price: €55 per person
Information and booking (website in French)
Going on a helicopter ride
Address: 400 Chemin de la Glacière, 74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc
With the pilot Lily Marie to keep you company during your flight, you can take a helicopter flight above the Mont Blanc mountain, with a breathtaking panoramic view of the mountain landscape.
If you are going on a 10-minute flight, you’ll be able to admire the view of the Aiguille Verte. For a 15-minute flight, you will find yourself standing above the Grandes Jorasses. And if you booked the 30-minute flight, behold the majesty of Mont Blanc‘s peak as it’ll stand before you.
Explore the Lac Vert
Located on the Northwestern side of the village, the Lac Vert (green lake) is also a well-known touristic location in Chamonix, and is also an ideal place if you want to have a picnic.
When looking at the lake from afar, it is truly a sight to behold, and if you walk around the lake, you may notice that the color of the water will change. It is possible for you to go fishing at the lake, provided you have an AAPPMA du Faucigny fishing license.
At the bottom of the lake, a parking lot with free spots is available, but we recommend that you go to Lac Vert very early in the morning as many people come to visit this place, and the parking lot can be filled in no time.
Going to Merlet Park
Address: 2495 Chemin de Merlet, 74310 Les Houches
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Let’s now go to the village of Les Houches, where the Merlet Park will be waiting for you to discover the surrounding nature with more than 80 mountain animals freely roaming around that you can pet.
Its panoramic view on the Mont Blanc massif will surprise you, and the surrounding environment will immerse you in a true wildlife area, with a forest area and sunny grasslands.
One event you should not miss at this park is the Marmots’ snack, an animation dedicated to this animal in which your children are given permission to give food to the marmots. How cute is that?
Price: €8 (adults), €5 (children from 4 to 15 years old)
Exploring the Gorges de la Diosaz
Address: 181 Allée des Gorges, 74310 Les Houches
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Located less than 20 minutes away from Chamonix, the Gorges de la Diosaz is a natural area in which you may enjoy the foliage for a never-to-be-forgotten change of scenery.
Ever since the development of this trail in 1875, this place has preserved the beauty of Mother Nature for all through its gorgeous waterfalls. Signs are placed everywhere during the entirety of your visit, with much information that’ll tell you more about this iconic place.
The Gorges de Diosaz are open to the public only during summer, from June to September.
Price: €6.50 (adults)
Having a relaxing moment at QC Terme Chamonix
Address: 480 Promenade du Fori, 74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc
Do you want to feel more relaxed? There is a solution for this: a spa getaway located at the bottom of the Mont Blanc mountain.
Chamonix has many beautiful thermal baths that you should absolutely try. It’s perfect if you want to take a pause in the middle of your hiking.
With a large-sized spa and very beautiful spaces, it’s an outstanding place to go to, and even spend time for the whole day.
Rafting
Address: 190 Place de l’Eglise, 74400 Chamonix
If you are looking for thrills, then rafting is an activity I recommend you give a try, as it can be done with your friends or family.
Just 5 minutes away from the center of Chamonix, the organization Cham’Aventure offers many outdoor activities for everyone, rafting being one of them. Navigate through the rapids of the Arve with a professional guide by your side, and spend as much energy as you want.
With its incredible scenery and an important focus on mountaineering, Cham’Aventure is dedicated to taking you on an adventure filled with thrills and making wonderful memories.
Prices: €42 (for adults), €32 (for children until 12 years old)
Admire the waterfalls
Two specific waterfalls deserve to be brought up on this list: the Dard waterfall and the Bérard waterfall.
The Dard waterfall is located 1,233 meters above sea level, and is 20 meters in height. A few meters away from the Mont-Blanc Tunnel is a parking lot where you can park your car. To reach that waterfall, you’ll need to walk for a few minutes.
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As for the Bérard waterfall, a one-hour long hike towards the La Poya village, considered by many as an easy trail to take, is required before you arrive in the forest area where you’ll find said waterfall. This area is a refreshing place, especially during the heat waves in summer.
Paragliding
Address: 24 Avenue de la Plage, 74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc
Air Sports in Chamonix offers multiple flights depending on how adventurous you are: you can go on the Découverte Parapente flight for €120 to reach the sky and look at the marvelous view of the city of Chamonix, or the Aiguille du Midi flight for €325 if you want to admire the most popular touristic location of the village from above its peak.
For those who are acrobatic, a Freestyle Parapente flight is available for €120, offering many thrills. And the XXL Parapente flight for around €195 will allow you to fly at high altitudes for 45 minutes to one hour.
And if you have children between 4 and 12 years old, they can have a paragliding flight for €105.
Information and booking (website in French)
Observing wildlife
There are many natural areas in the mountains with many animal species roaming around freely. So, what do you say you go and observe those animals more closely?
Climb the mountains of Chamonix, and follow your guide as you get to see the many wild animals living in the region (chamois, ibexes, mouflons, marmots). You will be given proper equipment to admire those animals better (a telescope, binoculars).
This activity takes half a day, you can start either at 8:30 in the morning, or at 1:30 in the afternoon. My advice is to get up early in the morning of the trip after having booked the previous week.
Price: €40 (for 8 people)
More information (website in French)
Canyoning
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OXO Canyoning has many sporting activities to offer, canyoning being one of them. It is suitable for everyone in the family who want to have a weekend filled with adrenaline.
Come and experience thrills in a secured environment, with jumps going up to 7 meters and descents in natural slides in the many canyons in the region, each one of them being extremely beautiful.
The instructors working there are passionate and enthusiastic, explaining the rules of canyoning clearly. Those who have gone to OXO Canyoning for the very first time have said that they enjoyed it very much, and that their children wanted to go for another jump shortly afterwards, so don’t hesitate and give canyoning a try.
Some options are available for the whole family and the children:
- The “Happy Balme” option available for children starting at 7 years old, which includes an introduction to canyoning.
- The “Happy Barberine” option available for children starting at 10 years old, in which you’ll be canyoning at the Barberine canyon, a canyon that is well secured, well regulated, and with the height of the obstacles that can be changed depending on the attendees.
Price: €64 (adults), €58 (children)
I aim to share my tips and recommendations for the beautiful country of France. My goal is to help you plan your next adventure, whether it’s a weekend getaway or a once-in-a-lifetime trip. From finding the best hotels and restaurants, to discovering unique activities and sights, I’ve got you covered!
