Spectacular Scenery / Idylic Rides: Chamonix
After a week spent in Edinburgh we flew to Geneva Switzerland and collected a shuttle to the world renowned ski mecca Chamonix France.
Chamonix would serve as the meeting place for my biking chums. Here we spent a few days before commencing our guided cycling adventure.
In summer the mountains are no less spectacular than they'd be in winter, but the days were warm (almost too warm) and the evenings encouraged strolling.
Chamonix is surrounded by a necklace of rugged peaks with stunning views of Mont Blanc. Chamonix offers river rafting and a variety of trams and rail journeys.
Le Brévent Blanc & Aquille Du Midi from Le Brévent Pramplanz
In the years before becoming a ski destination, Chamonix was a summer destination. But once skis were brought from Norway to the valley in 1893 they became popular for touring and exploring.
This was followed be the development of the Brévent Cable Cars which allowed Chamonix to expand from a summer destination to a full winter skiing destination.
Today gondolas lift visitors and skiers from Chamonix to Planpraz where there are multiple ski runs. From Planpraz there is the actual Brévent cable car to the top of the mountain where hikers and rock climbers fill the mountain.
When the skies above Chamonix are filled with parasailers many are lifting off from the top of Planpraz. Le Brévent also provides a terrific spot for mountain bikers to ride down the mountains cat tracks.
Chamonix's fame grew immensely after hosting an international ski competition in 1908 and took it place a world class destination by serving as the venue for the world's first Winter Olympiad in 1924.
Le Brévent; Chamonix Becomes as a Ski Destination
Then in 1955 the Aquille Du Midi Cable Car opened. This engineering marvel could now transport visitors and skiers 9,200 ft from the village to an elevation 12,605 ft. From here you can climb even higher using elevators that take you to the very top of the Aquille Du Midi.
At the top you'll find a wonderland of year round glaciers. The opening of cable car ushered in year round / summer skiing until 1993.
On clear days the top of the tram affords perfect views of Mont Blanc. From the top you can also marvel at fearless rock climbers and even step into "The Void" (a glass box suspended over a shear cliff.) The void is totally touristy and a lot of fun.
But the Aquille cable car is frequently very crowded and you may need to reserve your ticket in advance. Also even on a warm summer day in Chamonix, the temperatures at the top can be icy cold. Take a coat, a hat, sunblock, and sunglasses.
Being pretty upscale, Chamonix is filled with restaurants of every caliber from casual to Michelin. We reserved a dinner in the forest at L'Index. At this restaurant forget about menu's. After you sit down you will be asked if there are foods you don't like or might have some form of sensitivity to. Then they take the list and the chef creates meals using whatever is fresh. The only choice you have is how many courses you want to enjoy.
The whole evening at L'index was unrushed and fun. And, the food was wonderfully creative. Our table was visited by a friendly canine and later cat. If you have an agenda and somewhere you'll have to be, go some place else. This is an evening wel spent. And, unless you are a local, you won't find this place. Take a cab.
The start of our dining at L'Index
On day three a host from Vermont Bike Tours met us in our hotel lobby to shuttle us to Saillon Switzerland to begin our cycling.
Roadboy's Travels © 2025
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