Within the Chamonix valley, there are a variety of activities to keep you amused during the summer months. Here are a few suggestions;
Bellevue cablecar. The local cablecar in Les Houches (just 3 mins walk from the apartment) takes you to a height of 1900m, with excellent views of Mt Blanc. There are a number of marked walking trails and marked mountain bike trails from the summit. The Bellevue restaurant also remains open through the summer. The Bellevue cablecar is open until mid-Sept from 8 am to 5pm (6pm in August).
Aguille du Midi cablecar.
The cable car ascends to a height of 3842m and offers incredible views of Mont
Blanc, the whole Chamonix valley and into Italy and Switzerland. The ascent
takes around 30mins via 2 cablecars, and the altitude at the top may leave you
feeling slightly light-headed! However, the trip is well worth it. Photos below
taken at summit during June 2003.
Les Gorges de Diosaz. This spectacular gorge is very accessible and just 20mins drive from the apartment to Servoz. Open until late September. Tel: +33 4 50 47 21 13
Chamonix town offers a variety of activities and sights through the summer. The main street market takes place each Saturday morning and sells a wide variety of local produce. The Les Houches market takes place every Monday morning through the summer. Cormayeur hosts a market on Wednesdays, St Gervais on Thursdays and Megeve on Fridays.
St Gervais/Les Contamines & Megeve are two well-known ski resorts to the west of the Chamonix valley. Travel time is approx 30mins from Les Houches. The Palais des Sports in Megeve has a large swimming pool and olympic-sized skating rink (open during the winter).
Annecy is a popular Lakeside town, surrounded by mountain ranges. Travel time is approx 1hr from Les Houches.
The Chamonix valley offers a fine touring base for those wishing to explore
further afield into Italy and Switzerland, both of which are just minutes away
by car or train.
Geneva & Lake Geneva (Switzerland)
Aosta (Italy)
Martigny (Switzerland)
Start with the scenic railway from Les Houches to Martigny and beyond...
Try the Glacier Express train from Brig to St Moritz: Glacier
Express website
Article from The Guardian newspaper on the Glacier Express