Chamonix in the Summer: 7 Things You Can’t Miss- 2024

Chamonix (pronounced shaa-much-nee) is a small town in eastern France, on the border of Switzerland and Italy. The city is best known for skiing and other winter spots. Chamonix deserves all the renown for winter sports; it hosted the 1924 Olympics and is one of the oldest ski resort areas in Europe.

Chamonix can easily be overlooked as a summer destination, and it shouldn’t be; It’s beautiful in a different way in the summer!

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Why go to Chamonix?

Chamonix is picturesque, with so much opportunity for adventure. Chamonix is in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, and the biggest draw is Mount Blanc. At 15,774 ft, it is the highest peak in Europe, and Chamonix gives you a front-row seat to the mountain.

The small town and beautiful mountain scenery combination force you to slow down and take in the beauty around you.

Summer isn’t considered the primary season in Chamonix. It’s more economical to visit in summer than in the winter.

The area gives up snow blankets for bright flowers and perfect weather in summer. This makes a trip to Chamonix in summer an ideal way to recharge and relax.

Getting to Chamonix

There are a few different options for getting to Chamonix. Since the city is so close to the borders of Switzerland and Italy, it is possible to easily access it from Geneva or Milan in addition to Paris.

These are options for getting to Chamonix in the summer. If you’re traveling during another season, check to see that the buses are still running (they could be stopped due to snow).

No matter how you choose to travel, make your reservations before you arrive to ensure you don’t encounter any problems.

Getting to Chamonix from Paris

Chamonix would be quick to get to since it’s in the same country. But it will take about 6.5 hours to get from Paris to Chamonix by train. Travel via high-speed train from Paris Gare de Lyon to Annecy. 

You can rent a car in Annecy to drive to Chamonix. This is the recommended option. Many of the summer activities are easier to access with a vehicle. Plus, you’ll want to spend some in Annecy!

The train ticket to Annecy from Paris will be about €45. 

Alternatively, you can take a train to Gervais-le Fayet and then a bus to Chamonix. The total ticket will be about €90. 

Finally, if you would rather go by bus, there is an 8.5-hour bus from Paris to Chamonix. The roads can be winding, but this is the most economical option, with tickets as cheap as €14.

Getting to Chamonix from Geneva

Geneva is the closest major city to Chamonix.

From Geneva, the easiest way to make the journey is by bus. 

The Swiss Tours bus is about an hour shorter than the BlaBlaCar Bus. The trip is just over an hour and will cost about €10. This is one situation where traveling by train is much more complicated than by bus.

Getting to Chamonix from Milan

The trip from Milan is longer than from Geneva. Flixbus runs between the two cities for €14. 

Train trips are slightly longer than bus trips. Take a train from Milan to Martigny and then the Mount Blanc Express from Martigny to Chamonix.

If you decide against a rental car, there is a bus system for Chamonix Valley if you don’t have a rental car or don’t want to drive.

Where to stay in Chamonix

There are several options in Chamonix, ranging from stunning chalets to boutique hotels to small home rentals. Chamonix is a small town and easily navigated, so your location in the city won’t be that big of a deal.

The views are incredible so try to make sure you have a window to take in the mountains. Since summer is the off-season, you’ll find lower prices than in the winter.

Since the city is small and summer is the off-season, many things close early, and there is little nightlife in the summer. That’s not an issue for us!

But, with Celiac and food allergies, we enjoyed a kitchen to cook for ourselves when restaurant hours didn’t fit our schedule. 

The best part of our little Air BnB apartment was the balcony with a view of the mountains. It was perfect balcony-sitting weather.

One of my favorite activities was sitting on the balcony in the evening, taking in the views of the mountains. If you can swing a balcony, do it. You won’t regret the time spent sitting outside and enjoying the view.

What to Eat in Chamonix?

Chamonix is home to many local restaurants that capitalize on the views. Grab a coffee with a view from Satellite Coffee. If you like Indian food, Restaurant Annapurna (location 2) also has a beautiful view. No matter where you end up, there are plenty of options! Just note the opening times. Sometimes the restaurants close earlier in the summer.

How long in Do You Need in Chamonix in the Summer?

It takes so long to get to Chamonix from Paris that it’s spending some time. You’ll want at least a few days to explore the area. If you can spend four or five days, you’ll undoubtedly feel relaxed at the end. I’d love to spend a month relaxing and sipping coffee on a balcony overlooking the mountains!

7 Activities You Should Do in Chamonix in Summer

Chamonix is a beautiful little town. Spend some time wandering the streets and checking out the shops and restaurants. If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, you’ll find many of the biggest brands have stores in Chamonix.

The views from the town are remarkable. The alpine rivers running through the city add to the relaxing feeling the town seems to wrap you in.

There are plenty of hikes in the area if you want to take in the views from the trails. Lac Blac is a good option. Just know that there could be snow late into the summer, and that weather can change quickly in the mountains.

Hiking in Chamonix is excellent because the ski lifts can take a lot of the elevation challenge out of the mountain hikes since you take them up and back down!

1- Go Paragliding

Chamonix draws skiers and snowboarders in the winter.

The same ski lifts take hikers and paragliders up the mountains in the summer.

Paragliding is a popular Chamonix activity and should be on your list if you’re down for the adrenaline rush.

You’ll take a ski lift up one of the mountains with your guide. Honestly, I was nervous on the way up (because I’m brave until right before I do something). My guide told me how he’d taken 8-year-olds and 80-year-olds off the mountain in Chamonix!

After getting suited up together and checking the chute, you’ll wait for a window. Your guide will explain what to do on take-off and when you get your chance, you’ll just run off the side of the mountain. Keep running with your guide until the wind picks up your chute; your guide will ensure you know what to do. It sounds more intimidating than it is!

Then, when airborne, you can take the sights from a new vantage point. It’s freeing to be soaring with the vistas surrounding you. Your guide may give you the option to steer your glider.

I did for a few minutes, but I was interested in taking in the sights of the mountains, so I preferred to ride.

On the descent, your guide will explain how to land, and you’re done! Adrenaline rushing, you’ll wonder if it was real or a dream. It’s one of the most amazing experiences I’ve ever had.

Paragliding trips are best in the morning since the skies are generally calmer. The updrafts pick up in the afternoon.

The price will be the same no matter which outfit you go with. This is because there is an agreement, and each keeps the set price.

The lifts make paragliding so easy that the guides do several daily jumps. So, you’ll have lots of opportunities.

2- Take L’Aiguille du Midi

L’Aiguille du Midi is the longest cable car line in France. It leaves Chamonix and goes to the top of Aiguille du Midi at 3842 meters in the middle of the mountain range. It costs €69, and you should get your tickets early.

You’ll have a clear view of Mont Blanc atop its neighboring mountain. There are excellent views of glaciers and the mountain range. Be sure to bring a coat! You can find skiers at the top of the mountain even in the summer.

After you’ve taken in the sites atop L’Aiguille du Midi, you can continue up the Panoramic Mont Blanc cable car. This cable car takes you across a valley in the range. Striking views of the mountain range and Mont Blanc will captivate your attention as you travel to the Italian side of the glacier valley to Dent du Geante at 3462 meters. Check out the map to get a glimpse.

Pro tip – go all the way over to the Italian side and start making your way back, so you know how much time you have. The lines for cable cars can be longer than expected, but the views are worth it!

3- Take the Montenvers Railway

This rack-and-pinion railway starts in Chamonix and goes to Montenvers at 1,913 meters. The rail station for the train is at the SCNF, where you arrive if you come in by train. It’s been in operation since 1908. The older technology is the only way to safely train to the glacier and is an experience. The ride takes about 20 minutes and can get pretty steep. The views are amazing! A ticket is 35.50€, and the trains run every half hour from 10:00 am-4:00 pm most of the year.

Walk Inside of A Glacier at Grotte de Glace

When you arrive at the end of the train ride, you’ll be at the base of the Mer de Glace glacier. The ice cave at the glacier is the biggest draw and a special place to see. Each year a team digs out a new ice cave for visitors to explore. You can take a cable car down or hike 20 minutes down. Walk down and take the cable car back up (there will still be 580 steps, so you’ll get a workout).

If you’re able, the hike down can be a powerful experience. There are markers with years as you walk down. These markers show where the glacier reached each year. Seeing the glacier get smaller can be emotional as you walk past each sign marking where it used to be. When you finally reach the glacier, the walk through the glacier is a one-way walk with sculptures and information throughout.

This is something you can only do in some places. It’s a unique experience and something you absolutely can’t miss when you’re in Chamonix.

4- Mont Blanc Tunnel

Make sure to check out Mont Blanc Tunnel. For this experience, you’re going to need a rental car. This is an 11.7km (7.3 miles) tunnel under the giant mountain. The tunnel connects France and Italy. It will take you about 17 minutes to drive through the tunnel. It is a very regulated part of both countries. There are cameras throughout the tunnel to ensure drivers are minding the traffic laws. At €48, it is a hefty toll to drive through the tunnel, but it was an enjoyable experience.

The tunnel is an incredible engineering accomplishment, but it’s eerie to drive through the tunnel. At some point, you recognize that you don’t have a lot of options when you’re halfway through a 7-mile tunnel under a giant mountain. The experience also connects you to the minds who dreamed big enough for this tunnel. Unless you’re claustrophobic, this is a must-do.

5- Spend Time in Annecy

Annecy is a small town outside of Chamonix. If you’re traveling to or from Paris a stop in Annecy on your way is easy. The drive is straightforward and will take an hour and fifteen minutes in your rental car. If you’ve opted out of a rental car, you can take a BlaBlaCar Bus for $10. The ride is an hour and a half, so you can easily visit Annecy on a day trip.

Honestly, it’s remarkable that Annecy isn’t on more travel lists. I’d love for it to stay a secret, but you need to go see it! The city is situated on the banks of Lake Annecy. There is a magical blue lake with towering mountains all around. It couldn’t be more incredible if it was staged. The photos look fake.

The town center isn’t large: find bridges over canals, lakefront parks, charming squares, and lots of little allies. This is the perfect city to wander and get lost in. Plan your trip around one of the summer farmer’s markets if you can. Find a vendor selling rotisserie chicken and order a half-chicken for lunch. My “chicken in a bag” lunch is a typical conversation topic in our house. It was delicious, and I got to eat it on a bench overlooking the lake.

6- Visit the Matterhorn

Getting to Zermatt

To get to the Matterhorn, you’ll need a rental car. Make sure you have Swiss Francs in addition to Euros and that you bring your passport with you (and your visa if one is required). Start by heading to Täsch, Switzerland. The drive has tolls and will take you just over 2 hours. When you arrive, park your car in Täsch and board the train to Zermatt. You can also stop in Visp and take the train from Visp through Täsch and on to Zermatt.

Zermatt is a car-free town at the base of the Matterhorn part of the range. Budget some time to wander around Zermatt. It takes a little time because the city is small, but it is also special to experience. This can be done as a long day trip from Chamonix. However, if you want a slower pace, consider staying a night in Zermatt.

Exploring the Matterhorn

Zermatt is surrounded by some of the tallest mountains in the Alps. It also has access to the Matterhorn, the mountainscape on the Toblerone wrappers. The Gornergrat Bahn is a train that will take you up into the Alps. Get the Gornergrat round-trip ticket.

The final stop at the Gornergrat provides 360-degree views of the mountains. Unless you’re intentionally stopping, take the train straight to the top, and then you can stop on the way down. It makes it easier to gauge your time.

If you’re interested in photography, go early on a calm day and stop at Rotenboden. For an excellent picture, hike away from the train track toward a lake named Riffelsee. A photo of the mountain reflecting in the lake still hangs in my living room. It’s magical and worth making a stop on your way up to be sure you have time for a perfect photo.

After the summit view and stopping for a photo opp at Riffelsee, stop for hikes on your way down. If you’re up for it, there are hikes from one train stop to another, so you get a chance to take in the mountain views without committing to hiking the whole way down.

Visiting Chamonix in Summer

Chamonix is a gem of mountain scenery in any season. Summer in Chamonix is a perfect vacation for those who want to be recharged by the mountains.

Hike, explore glaciers, and take in stunning mountain views while exploring the Alps during the day. In the afternoons, watch the sunsets over mountain tops, and relax. You won’t regret the summer spent in Chamonix.