Chamonix Mont Blanc is one of the most visited towns in the French Alps, mainly due to the sheer amount of skiing and mountaineering offered all year round. As well as Chamonix being regarded by many as a mecca for skiing and alpinism, the town itself hosts some of the most amazing attractions, which will take your breath away. You must see three things if you plan to visit Chamonix Mont Blanc.
The Aiguille du Midi Cable Car
Situated 3,842 meters above sea level, the Aiguille Du Midi is the highest cable car in Europe and, after its completion in 1955, the highest cable car in the world for 20 years.
This fantastic feat of engineering is probably the most significant non-skiing attraction in Chamonix and takes thousands of visitors to its panoramic viewing platform every day throughout the year.
From the peak, you can enjoy beautiful views of neighboring Italy and the Matterhorn, Switzerland's most famous mountain, over 40 miles away.
As well as peering into the surrounding countries from your sky-high platform, you also get the best view of Mont Blanc, which stands next to the Aiguille du Midi at a staggering 4810 meters tall.
At nearly a full kilometer higher than the Aiguille du Midi, the experience of standing below Mont Blanc and still being so high puts this extreme mountain range into perspective.
After enjoying the spectacular views of the Aiguille Du Midi, you can also have lunch and a glass of the finest French wine at the top.
With various snacks and hot and cold meals on offer, it’s no wonder that scores of people choose to take advantage and have lunch nearly 4 kilometers above sea level in this extraordinary restaurant.
When lunch is finished, you can visit the gift shop next to the restaurant to buy some fantastic memorabilia, and you can even buy postcards and post them in the post box they have there – pretty impressive, to say the least!
Just remember that because the summit is so high, the temperatures are often in the minus figures, so remember to wrap up warm when heading up, even on the hottest summer days.
Mer de Glace
At 7 kilometers long and up to 650ft deep in some places, the Mer de Glace, which translates to “sea of ice,” is the longest-running glacier in France!
Like all glaciers, the Mer de Glace is constantly moving. It is estimated to move up to 90 meters per year down the valley it has naturally carved over thousands of years.
Every year, the team based at the Mer De Glace cuts large caves on the side of the glacier. Once the caves are large enough, sculptures are made in them, again from ice.
These range from full domestic rooms like bedrooms and kitchens to smaller objects like marmots and ice-carved skiers.
They even have a large Saint Bernard dog that sits to have his photo taken with the daily visitors in the ice caves during the summer and winter. He is super friendly, as well as being super slobbery.
Slobber aside, taking your picture with him will make for a great holiday snap and bring a smile to anyone’s face for years to come.
The ice caves are a truly magical place, and with lighting, the ice caves in the Mer de Glace are transformed into something you are very unlikely to experience anywhere else in the world.
The Merlot Parc
In addition to the glaciers and famous ice caves, Chamonix has a fantastic animal park where you can spend a day experiencing some of the natural wildlife the French Alps offer.
Unlike a zoo, Chamonix’s Merlot Parc is a vast open area that allows all the animals that live there to roam at their will. Situated approximately 5 km out of Chamonix town center, the Merlot Parc is home to many animals you would not usually see, such as Ibex, Buff, Marmottes, and Lamas.
In addition to the selection of Alpine animals, the views offered by the Merlot Parc are incredible. Mont Blanc, Le Bossons Glacier, and various other Aiguilles (mountain points), such as the Aiguille Des Dru, are all visible from the elevated viewing point.
With prices of only €5 per person and babies going free, visiting the Merlot Parc can make for a great low-cost relaxing day out for all the family whilst taking in the spectacular views of the Chamonix Valley.
So there you have it—three of the biggest attractions Chamonix Mont Blanc has to offer that don’t involve putting on skis and helmets and racing down the side of a steep mountain!
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Article by Chamonix first – Geneva to Chamonix transfer provider.
