Chamonix, France

Looking to get out of Paris and explore the rest of France? This charming little ski town in the French Alps might be just what you’re looking for!

Chamonix, France is a town located in the French Alps, in the Haute-Savoie region of France very close to the Swiss and Italian borders. It is a popular destination for winter sports enthusiasts, as well as for hikers and mountaineers in the summer. The town is situated near the base of Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in the Alps, and there are many trails and routes that lead to the summit

Chamonix is probably best known for hosting the first Winter Olympics in 1924, and maintains it’s popularity status as a major destination for winter sports, including skiing, snowboarding, and ice climbing. All the people we saw geared up with climbing gear and straps honestly gave me a bit of anxiety. I would NOT plan on skiing, snowboarding or climbing in Chamonix unless you are very advanced.

However, there are several ski resorts, like the famous Chamonix-Mont Blanc ski resort, which offers a wide range of slopes for skiers of all levels. But still, French skiing is on a different level. If you want to experience a thrill without doing sports, be sure to take the cable car to the the Aiguille de Midi.

What to eat: we only spent the day in Chamonix with one meal at a teeny, tiny burger & sandwich joint called Poco Loco. It was great! If you can’t squeeze in, there are several restaurants lining the main street of Chamonix with tons of regional Savoie fare like fondue and raclette.