Holidaying in Chamonix
The French Alps is a well know playground for the affluent and an ideal ski destination for those who love the slopes. It is located in the Southeast of France and at the base of Mont Blanc, standing at a majestic elevation of 4,810 meters. Although, skiing isn’t the only thing the city of Chamonix is known for, hiking, golf, rock climbing and paragliding if you are feeling adventurous are some of the other attractions to be explored. However the vibrant mountain scenery and gushing mountain streams are still a good enough reason to vacay in the French Alps. It is home to luxury Ski resorts and Michelin starred restaurants with a plethora of things to do while on holiday. French is the main language spoken but fear not as English is spoken at most hotels, bars and restaurants.
So where exactly does your getaway in the Alps begin? Here are the WKNDTRP recommended hotspots available in the app for you to use in your itinerary.
The Grand Hotel des Alps
30 renovated slope slide apartments offering the service and grandeur of a 5-star hotel, The Grand Hotel des Alps is luxury redefined. Offering a butler service, restaurant and an indoor pool, the complex is great for families or those wanting to share an apartment. It is centrally located to bars, shops and restaurants close by, enabling quick travel and a central point to explore the city of Chamonix.
La Folie Douce Hotel
A quick 2-minute walk to the city center and 8 minutes from the station the La Folie Douce Hotel is another Chamonix favorite. The 250 room hotel offer spectacular views of the slopes and Mont Blanc itself with affordable accommodation, a trendy bistro and of course the Le Janssen cocktail club. Perfect for a relaxing unwind after a tiring day on the slopes. The hotel is an ideal option for families or groups of friends looking for affordable yet comfortable accommodation with a range of restaurants and sights within walking distance.
One of the best things about being on holiday is being able to indulge in the many restaurants and bars the city offers. So Chamonix too provides chic and must try out food options.
Le Cap Horn
Adding a twist of flavor, Le Cap Horn serves innovative French and Japanese cuisine in a rustic setting. The much acclaimed Swedish Chef Fredrik Darenius takes the reins in creating eclectic fusion dishes. The restaurant is a fan favorite and has been rated one of the best restaurants in Chamonix by visitors. Ideal for large groups and intimate gatherings the ambience is welcoming and relaxing.
Le Panier des 4 Saisons
Nestled at the end of an alley almost a little tough to find Le Panier des 4 Saisons is a hideout serving local food that has changed pace over the seasons. The cooking is instinctive, traditional and made to perfection. The restaurant is perfect for a quiet night out offering an intimate setting. Enjoy a glass of high- quality wine and a homely meal while you’re here.
Chamonix is overflowing with high adrenaline activities depending on how adventurous you wish to be. While skiing is the most common there are many attractions that only require you to sit back and take in the view.
Aiguille du Midi cable car ride is a well -known cable car ride that takes you to the center of the Chamonix mountain range in just 20 minutes. It reaches an altitude of 3842 meters and offers a panoramic view of the Swiss, French and Italian Alps. Plan de L’Aiguille is one of the stops along the way and is also the starting point for the Grand Balcon Nord hike up to the Montenvers site.
Another absolute must see is the ‘Step into the void’ a reinforced glass box suspended 1000 meter above the void is the closest you will get to floating on thin air. The viewing point gives you a clear view of Mont Blanc and the surrounding ranges. Access to Step into the void is usually free as the cost is included in the cable car ticket although you will need to summit before 4:30 pm local time if you do want to pay a visit.
July is one of the best times to plan a weekend trip to the French Alps with good weather and the chance to see more foliage. Make use of the system built itinerary in the app or change it up to suit your travel needs. SkyScanner is a click away to view flights details to help make trip planning easy, nevertheless WKNDTRP has got you covered. So are you ready to go yet?