Chalet de la Floria (1337 m) and other Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France Things to Do Tips

If you want an easy hike to beging your stay in Chamonix, I'd advice this one.
A climb of 301m in 45 min, (10 min flat balcony included) under the pine trees.

Just at the moment we thought we could use an ice and ice cold drink... we arrived at the chalet.
Sitting at one of the cosy little tables under the red parasols and surrounded by the most beautiful flowers, we had a stunning view over the snow capped peaks.

Our way back down to Chamonix took us only 20 minustes.

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Address: Start in Chamonix. Just follow the indicators.
Website: http://montagne.chamonix.com/RandEte.php?ling=En

Facing the Mont Blanc, this high peak has attracted many painters since the beginning of the 19th century. The panorama over the Mont Blanc range is indeed wonderful at this place.

It can be reached by taking 2 gondolas. The' first takes you to Planpraz (1999m), where you have to switch and take the other to "Le Brévent".
... or go on foot (stiff hike).

We took the gondola up and hiked back down, which was a terrible ordeal for our calfs.

Make sure you take a sweater with you. It can be chilly on top.

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Directions: Centre of Chamonix. Continue the street behind the Tourism Office. The first gondola to Planpraz starts here. You can also order the tickets for both the gondolas here.
Website: http://www.compagniedumontblanc.fr/en/brevent_flegere/index.html

This is the highest peak which can be reached by Areal Tramway. Because of the perpetual snow and the sheer walls, a normal tourist can't reach this point hiking.

Take the elevator at the last tramway stop to the view point on top. If it's raining in the valley, you'll be "over the clouds" (litteraly) and in the sun, but in freezing temperatures.
Great pictures guaranteed!

Bear in mind that the price is 40 euros up and down/person (elevator 3 euros, not included)(prices Summer 2009)

If you want to reduce the price with a few euros, you can take the tramway from "Le Plan de L'aiguille" (2317 m), see my general tips
You might like a preview of the scenery upon the Aiguille... check the video.

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Address: Place de l'Aiguille du Midi
Directions: You can't miss it. It is within walking distance from the centre of the town (7 min. from the station for instance). Just look upwards to the mountain. The gondola going up and down indicates the direction you have to take.
Website: http://www.compagniedumontblanc.fr/en/aiguille/index.html

Just as in previous tips, the trip to the "Mer de Glace" can be done hiking.
If you don't like a stiff climb of 2h30, you may like to take the Montenvers train, one of the last rack and pinion trains in France.

From the station of Montenvers, the access to the Mer de Glace (= a glacier) can be done by gondola or on foot (it's a spectacular, but easy walk of 20 minutes).

The glacier is a special attraction, while there is an ice grotto inside, hewn from the very bowels of the glacier. The magic blue color of the inside walls and the sculped ice furnitures are an attraction, but not really extraordinary.

Once visited this spot, we hiked back down to Chamonix via the Mottets rocks. Not an easy path. Sometimes slippery . Make sure you have good boots and hiking sticks.
If you are adventurous, this might be something for you: sometimes the path is replaced by a ladder between two caverns.

On our way down, we crossed something called "Alpine tea room chalet" . I would call it a small pine wood cabin. Still, It was an idyllic place with lots of flowers. Too bad it was closed when we passed.

This hike down took us 2 hours.

I included a sunny and a rain photo. Both weathers have their charm :-)

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Address: start at the "Place de la Mer de Glace", Chamonix
Directions: Take the Montenvers train at the station "du Montenvers", only 2 minutes from the main train station.
Website: www.compagniedumontblanc.com

The easiest way to get there is by taking the gondola in Les Praz to La Flégère and then a chair lift to l'Index (2385m).

Follow the pink stips on the rocks eastward to le Lac Blanc. Take out 1 hour over small and sometimes very rocky paths and stairs.

The scenery is breathtaking and there is also a lot of wildlife. For instance, we saw a chamois family and marmots.

The lake area at the mountain refuge was a little crowded,
The second lake, hidden behind the first one was a lot wilder and there wasn't a living soul to be seen.

I included photos of this lake in different weather types

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Address: start: gondola station to Le Brévent in Les Praz
Directions: Les Praz is a hamlet of Chamonix. A walk of 20 minutes. Easy to find the Gondola: look up and search for the cable.
Website: http://www.compagniedumontblanc.com

This nice area is a ski run with a chair lift in wintertime. In Summertime it's an attraction park for everyone, with a mega jump trampoline, a nautic jet, sky dive, an adventure track between the trees and much more...
The attractions in the parc operate with coins.

Especially the summer luge is fun! (highly recommended)
But... expensive! 5euros/ ride.

At the other hand, the entrance fee to the park and the parking lot is free.

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Directions: Not far from the station "Du Montenvers"
Website: http://www.planards.com/accueil.html

The gondola to L'Aiguille du Midi celebrates its 52nd birthday in 2007, transporting 500 000 tourists from all over the world each year.

There is an interesting free exposition about these 51 years. 3 themes are described: the project, the work, and the people who built the gondola.

The exhibition is presented on panels with lots of pictures and info at the Aiguille du Midi.

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Start: at the Plan de l'Aiguille. If you don't want to hike all the way up to this place, you can take the cable car.

From the Plan you first follow the markers "Lac Bleu", then the pink stips on the rocks. It's a hike of about 15 minutes. Easy and... a stunning view is the reward!

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Directions: a hike of 15 minutes starting at "Le Plan de l'Aiguille"

Split your ticket to the "Aiguille du Midi" into 2 different rides

First take the tramway to l'Aiguille du Midi for a view over the Mont Blanc and the most wonderful snowy peaks scenery , then ride the tramway halfway back to the Plan de l'Aiguille. There starts the so-called "Balcony hike" to the glacier "Mer de Glace" (see other tip).
A balcony hike is a hike with (in theory) few difference in altitude.
From the glacier, the train of Montenvers will ride you back to Chamonix when presenting your Aiguille ticket.

We took the photo during our Balcony walk. Don't forget your hiking poles!

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Address: Avenue Aiguille du Midi
Website: http://www.compagniedumontblanc.fr