Things To Do
Aiguille du Midi
The Aiguille du Midi, a 12,604 ft peak in the Mont Blanc massif, is accessible by a two-stage cable car from Chamonix. It offers insanely beautiful 360-degree views of Mont Blanc and surrounding peaks (you can even spot the Matterhorn on a clear day!). There are a few viewing platforms, a "Step into the Void" glass skywalk, and a bar half-way up the mountain (lol). It's highly recommended for unforgettable alpine scenery and a cool, unique experience! Purchasing tickets ahead of time is highly recommended. It's possible we will be able to get a discount through the chalet.
Mer de Glace
Another cool attraction is the Mer de Glace, or "Sea of Ice." It is France's largest glacier and a top attraction in Chamonix, and gives you a unique glimpse into the natural beauty of the Alps. Accessible by the historic Montenvers Railway, the glacier provides stunning views of the surrounding peaks and ice formations. You can explore the Glacier Ice Cave and learn about glaciology and climate change at the nearby museum. Purchasing tickets ahead of time is highly recommended. It's possible we will be able to get a discount through the chalet.
Bus to Annecy
The nearby popular destination Annecy - the "Venice of France" - is a great option for a day trip, if you plan to be in Chamonix past the wedding festivities. It's about 1h 45m train from Chamonix to Annecy, and the town is supposed to be absolutely gorgeous - with lake-front views!
Hiking
It goes without saying, but there is so much hiking available in Chamonix! Whether you want to walk the riverside trail, hike up into the mountains, visit a waterfall, or travel by foot to a neighboring town, there are trails and options available for everyone. AllTrails is likely your best resources to find a trail that suits your interests, but we can recommend hiking to the Cascade du Dard (2.80 miles), hiking the Petit Balcon Sud (3.3 miles) or Nord (6.7 miles to Argentiere - you can take the train back), or scaling up to Le Brevent if you're looking for a real adventure (9.5 miles)!
Restaurant Hop
Chamonix is full of cafes, restaurants, bakeries, and bars with quaint, indoor vibes, and lots of outside seating with beautiful views. You could spend a whole day just soaking it all in!
Rent Bikes
The chalet has mentioned that if anyone wishes to rent bikes, they can be rented from Intersport downtown. They have a good range of bikes and by mentioning the chalet's name (Chalet Valhalla), we will be given a 20% discount.
Saturday Farmers Market
If you're in town over the weekend, the farmers market on Saturday at le Marche is amazing! And no one speaks English so it's a real adventure!
Explore the Valley
There is a super convenient and very low-key train that can take you back and forth to the neighboring towns in the valley. The train we took picked us up at the most northernly point we visited - Argentiere - and brought us back to Chamonix, but you can stop and explore other spots along the way if you're interested. There are some beautiful meadows and remote places scattered throughout that will take your breath away! We've also linked the lift website, where you can coordinate going up the mountain via cable car if you'd like!
