Chamonix walking tour & city guide

The town

The center of Chamonix is compact and walkable, with the glacier-fed River Arve running through it. On Place Balmat, a statue shows Jacques Balmat, who made the first ascent of Mont Blanc in 1786 with Michel-Gabriel Paccard, pointing up at the summit. The Rue du Docteur Paccard is the main pedestrian street, lined with outdoor shops and cafés, and the Church of Saint-Michel overlooks the town.

Into the mountains

The Aiguille du Midi cable car climbs to 3,842 meters, where a glass box called Step into the Void hangs over a sheer drop, with Mont Blanc just across the snow. On the other side of the valley, the Brévent and Flégère lifts offer the best views of the whole Mont Blanc range.

The red rack railway of Montenvers takes you up to the Mer de Glace, the longest glacier in France. Signs along the way show how far the ice has retreated, a striking sight of climate change.

A classic walk through Chamonix

Start at the train station, walk to the Church of Saint-Michel and down to Place Balmat. Stroll along the Rue du Docteur Paccard and the riverside paths of the Arve.

For an easy nature walk, continue on the flat Petit Balcon trails at the edge of the forest. The town loop is about 3 kilometers.

Visiting tips

Geneva airport is about an hour away. Check the weather before buying cable car tickets, as clouds can hide the summits. Bring warm clothes for the Aiguille du Midi even in summer, and take time to adjust to the altitude.