The Chamonix List | Mont Blanc Travel Guide 🏔
The Chamonix List | Mont Blanc Travel Guide 🏔
Erin
Chamonix is spectacular alpine town at the foot of Mont Blanc. I fell in love with stark mountains scenery and the peaceful walks along the river and lakes.
This guide is perfect for: people who like the “aprés” as much as the ski, active travelers, solo travelers, friend groups, and anyone who appreciates stunning natural scenery
This guide includes:
☕️Cozy cafes
🫕Restaurant recommendations (vegetarian friendly too)
🚠Winter activities for non-skiers
🏠Places to stay
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Cafes ☕️
Moody Coffee Roasters
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Chamonix Centre | The best coffee in Chamonix center - we went here every day. Delicious baked goods, including vegan options. Every coffee comes with a little brownie bite - nice treat! Limited seating.
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Le Petit Social
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Les Praz | Le Petit Social quickly became our favorite coffee and aprés ski spot in Les Praz. Coffee and pain au chocolate in the morning transitions to Aperol spritz and live music in the afternoon. Cozy and fun local vibe.
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Natifs Café
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Chamonix Centre | Family-run cafe with friendly and attentive service, great coffee, and nice pastry selection.
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Shoukâ Chamonix
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Chamonix Centre | Delicious speciality hot chocolate (and coffee). Perfect way to warm up in the afternoon!
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Restaurants 🫕
MUMMA
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Chamonix Centre | This Asian-fusion spot was one of our favorite meals in Chamonix. The flavour combinations were unique every dish was fresh and delicious. Trendy but unpretentious vibe.
Make a reservation and go with a group so you can try as many small plates as possible.
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Restaurant La Crèmerie du Glacier
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Argentière | An absolute must for traditional Sayorard dishes—this is your spot for fondue. Anthony Bourdain ate here, so you know it’s the real deal. It’s ultra cozy and family-run. The only disappointment was that my physical capacity to consume cheese eventually hit a limit, but I really didn’t want to stop.
Tip: If you don’t have a car, you’ll have to walk about 15 min from the bus stop. In the winter, this requires walking on a snowy path that partially crosses a ski run. Dress accordingly (snow boots) and look up directions in advance so you aren’t surprised by the walk.
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La Maison Carrier
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Chamonix Centre | This upscale farmhouse restaurant serves fresh, traditional dishes. The entrées and mains aren’t too heavy—which means you can save room for your choice of dessert buffet or cheese carriage (how do you choose?!).
It’s not a budget meal, but the prix fixe menu for dinner is a good value compared to regular menu prices (€39 for entrée, main, and dessert).
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Refuge La Flegere
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Les Praz | Take the cable car up to enjoy lunch on the mountain. Food is basic, views are excellent. L’Adret next door has a more extensive (and more expensive) menu.
Note: Open December-April
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Cool Cats
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Chamonix Centre | Cool spot for a casual lunch. More than just hot dogs - good brunch and salad bowls (including veg friendly).
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L'Alt
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Chamonix Centre | Great casual lunch option near the base of Aiguille du Midi. Fresh salads, bowls, and burgers. Good for vegetarians.
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Le Refuge Payot
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Chamonix Center | Upscale deli & grocery. Great place to pick up cheese and wine for apero
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L Epicerie
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Les Praz | Small, upscale grocery, good for basics. We picked up quiches, cheese, and snacks for lunch and apero. Really friendly staff.
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Activities 🚠
QC Terme Chamonix
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Spa | If you like spas, this is like a choose your own adventure spa experience. In additional to the traditional saunas and stream rooms, there are waterfalls, foot bath, sound and color pools, and more.
The highlight is the heated outdoor pool with a view of Mont Blanc. Even in winter temps, you can enjoy the outdoor pool (I hate the cold and loved the pool in January so you can be assured it’s a comfy temp!)
You could easily spend hours here if you wanted to try all the treatment rooms. I recommend bringing a book for the relaxation rooms if you plan to spend the day here.
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Mer de Glace
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Glacier | Take a 20 min train from Chamonix through the mountains to visit the Mer de Glacé, a massive glacier. Once you get there to the top of the mountain, take a cable car + another 25 min walk down to explore the ice cave. Unfortunately the glacier is shrinking rapidly - the stairs down mark the height of the glacier over time so you can see how it has receded. Still very striking to visit!
Time: 2-3 hours (40 min round trip and 1-1.5 hr to visit the glacier)
Tickets: 20-37EUR
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Aiguille du Midi
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Scenic Cable Car | Take a cable car from the center of Chamonix up to the highest peak accessible by a lift system (no hiking required!). There are stunning views all the way up, and multiple viewing platforms at the top of the mountain with stunning view of the Alps. It can be quite windy up there so bundle up.
Time: About 2 hours. There’s a restaurant at the top if you want to have lunch.
Tickets: 73EUR
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La Flégère
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Scenic Walk | Enjoy a scenic walk along the river from Chamonix to La Flégère. You can take the cable car up the mountain lunch with a view.
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Lac des Gaillands
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Scenic Walk | These two lakes—Lac des Gaillands and Lac Sinclair—are stunningly beautiful. Take a coffee in Chamonix and enjoy a peaceful stroll around the lakes.
About 30min (1 way) from Chamonix Centre and 1hr from Les Praz.
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Cascade du Dard
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Scenic Walk | This waterfall hike is on my list for my next trip to Chamonix.
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Where to stay
I’ve stayed in both Les Praz and Chamonix Centre, and love both.
Les Praz
Les Praz has a cozier, village feel that I loved, If you’re skiing, it’s at the base of La Flégère cable car for easy access to the slopes. I also loved it as a base for long walks. The mountain scenery is slightly better from here, but that’s purely personal preference. Fewer restaurants and shops, but plenty to keep you satisfied and easy access to Chamonix Centre by bus, car, or foot.
If you stay here, you’ll be a regular at Le Petit Social and look out your window every morning in complete awe of the scenery.
We loved our Airbnb:
Chamonix Centre
As expected, the center is busier and has a great selection of restaurants and shops (including my favorite coffee spot, Moody’s). It’s also a convenient base for activities like Aiguille du Midi and the spa.
We had a great experience at this rental apartment (nicer and more modern in person)
Tips
Getting to Chamonix: Geneva Airport (GVA) is the closest airport to Chamonix (approx. 90km). You can rent a car and drive (approx 1hr 15min), arrange a private transfer, or take a bus.
We took Alpybus from the Geneva airport, about 70EUR per person round trip for the transfer. It was convenient and ran on time.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Erin
American expat in Amsterdam 🇳🇱daydreaming about my next trip 🌍.
I specialize in travel that combines outdoor adventure, wellness, and unique local experiences. I appreciate high/low travel - I’m willing to splurge on a few things I love, and save in other areas.
I love to create unique itineraries that help people explore new and unexpected spots. I strive to make ridiculously detailed itineraries that facilitate unplanned discoveries - the magic is in the in-between moments ✨.
For every trip, I scour the internet, get tips from trusted travel advisor networks, and source recommendations from friends to curate a list of the must-dos, eats, and drinks in that destination.
Interested in a custom itinerary or want to see a new city guide? DM me on ig: @erinisexploring. Happy travels!
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