The French Alps
The Rhône Alps area of French is an ideal vacation destination. It is a popular Skiing destination in the winter with ski lodges, ski schools and ski runs to suit all skiers. Snowboarding and paragliding is also very popular. In the summer it is a fantastic family holiday location. Accommodation is varied from expensive luxury hotels to small family houses offering bed and breakfast. I like to stay in self catering holiday homes, gites, villas or Swiss style chalets.  . 

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc
The town of Chamonix is in the north-western section of the Rhône Alps. It is 15 km from the Swiss border via the Col des Montets. You can drive to italy via the Mont Blanc tunnel. To the south of Chamonix is the Mont Blanc massif and to the north there are Aiguilles Rouges mountains. Although Chamonix is on the valley floor it is 1035 meters (3,395 feet) above sea level. The Arve river flows through the Chamonix valley and travels all the way down to Geneva where it joins the Rhône river. In Winter this crystal clear river is fed by snowmelt and underground springs. In summer it is much higher and a cool blue grey due to glacial runoff from the surrounding melting glaciers.

The population of Chamonix is increased in the summer tourist season from 10,000 people to over 100,000. In 1885 the Town was totally destroyed by a fire but luckily Chamonix has been elegantly rebuilt. The centre is charming and cosy especially near the area around the turbulent river. The Chamonix Tourist office is next to the church, at the "Place du Triangle de l'Amitié, 85". It is worth a visit as soon as you arrive. They will give you a free map and can provide brochures and information about the several "must do" activities. If you are in the area for a week or so they also organize guided day excursions by touring bus in English to Switzerland and Italy.

The Alpine Museum (La Résidence avenue Michel Croz) is just off the street which leads to the train station. The exhibits explain the geology of the region as well as the history of alpinism and mountaineering in Chamonix. It is open mainly in tourist season (ie summer and winters) 2pm - 7pm. I was fascinated to learn that it was two Englishmen Windham & Pococke in 1741 who were responsible for the start of tourism in the Chamonix valley. They climbed Montenvers and published their accounts. The publicity which following their climb up Montenvers started the tourism into the valley. The first ever ascent of Mont Blanc occurred on the evening of 8th August 1786. The first railway into Chamonix was responsible for doubling the amount of tourists. The first ever winter Olympic games held in Chamonix in 1924.

Fancy a hike with great views? Take the early morning Brevent 2 stage cable car up the Aiguilles Rouges mountains to the north of the town centre. Its situated on the opposite side of the valley to Aiguille du Midi cable-car. You can look right across the valley and get some fantastic views of the Mt Blanc massif.

Next to the main line train station in Chamonix is the smaller 'Mer de Glace' (Sea of Ice) old furnicular railway station. (Train du Montenvers 35, place de la Mer de Glace) Mer de Glace is the largest glacier in France, 7kms long and 200m deep but like all Alpine glaciers it is retreating at an alarming rate due to Global warming thanks to lack of action by the worlds worst polluters like the USA and China. The train climbs a steep track to take you to see stunning views over the Mer de Glace glaciers. The views of Les Grandes Jorasses and the Les Drus are spectacular. From the top station at Montenvers you can walk down to the glacier and into an ice grotto. There are a number of walking tracks down to valley floor.

Catch the Montenvers cog-railway up to the end of the Mer de Glace, the largest glacier in the Chamonix area. Enjoy the views as the train winds its way up through the alpine forest and then have your breath taken away by the view up the huge sea of ice at the top. For a few extra Euros you can go down to the ice cave which is dug out of the glacier every year. Inside they have carved beautiful sculptures out of the ice, and see the layers indicating the years of snowfall like rings on a tree. Visit the free alpine wildlife museum by the Hotel Montenvers (the highest hotel in Chamonix) to understand more of the regions flora and fauna. Choose one of the pretty hikes down, or return on the train back to Chamonix Town Centre.

Do you want to be able to say you hiked across two countries in one day? Yes! Well pack your passport and take the local train from Chamonix up the valley to Montroc. Follow the signs for the Tour du Mont Blanc trail to Le Tour. Then pick get in the cable car up towards Col de Balme. Hike up to the ‘Refuge’ for a well earnt cup of coffee, in Switzerland! Now you are refreshed start what is a long hike down into the Trient valley in Switzerland through pretty alpine meadows and forests. You will pass amazing view of the Trient glacier before descending down into a little Swiss village. Following the road along the valley as far as Chatelard stop at the shops. You now have an opportunity to buy some chocolates and cuckoo clocks. Catch the train all the way back to Chamonix.

Drive or take a bus through the Mont Blanc tunnel to the mountain town of Courmayeur, Italy. In the winter it is a ski resort frequented by the rich and famous from Milan and Turin. Prices are cheaper than France. The architecture is slightly different. Stay and have a pizza or pasta meal whilst looking at the southern face of Mont Blanc. If you feel more energetic drive north, back up towards the tunnel but take the side road to the left that goes along the beautiful dramatic unspoilt Dora Di Veny Valley. There is a large carpark by the side of the river and near the foot bridge that takes you across the glacial outwash river to the north bank. This is the start of an easy hike to two small glacial lakes and the snout of a glacier. The lakes are not that dramatic and the ice of the glacier is covered in rocks but the real beauty of the walk are the views of the surrounding mountains. Have a look at my photos. Take a picnic and lots of drink with you. Take suitable clothing for hiking in the mountains.

Rebuilt and reopened after the devastating fire of 1999 the tunnel is a source of much local controversy. The deepest tunnel in the world, it goes directly under the Mont Blanc massive. On the other end of the tunnel you will come out into the beautiful valley of Courmyeur. Known as the valley of sunshine cool off by a walk along the river fueled by the melting glaciers, or add some ice to your drink in a local pizzeria!

Here are a few more ideas of things to do during a Chamonix holiday. Go rafting or canoeing with one of the many organised trips. Walk to the beautiful Lac Blanc and admire this high mountain lake and the waterfalls on the way back. Go climbing at Lac Gaillands. Relax at the leisure centre by one of the three swimming pools or by the lake. Take a day to go and see an alpine stage of the Tour de France, if you get your dates right! Go shopping in Geneva. Hike from Argentiere up to the Grand Montets ski area and have a coffee looking out on the Glacier du Argentiere. Hike from the Flegere cable car and stop off on the way down at the beautiful Chalet Floria, famed for its flowers and hanging baskets. Find the hidden waterfall in Vallorcine.

Mont Blanc Cable Car ride
Only go on this Mont Blanc (White Mountain) Aiguille du Midi gondola ride on a clear day. Get up early in the morning before the tour groups that start arriving between 9.30am and 10am. Another reason to go early is that when the valley starts to heat up it sends thermals skyward. These produce clouds by late morning and during the afternoon. These can spoil your views into Switzerland and Italy. Going to the top of is not cheap, but it is worth the expense. The views are absolutely stunning. There are great views of the Bosson glaciers snaking their way down the mountain. Have a look at my photographs. You will be up taken up to a very high altitude of 3842m (12,604 feet) very quickly. Your body will not get time to adjust to the high altitude and thin air. Do not be surprised to feel light headed and a bit dizzy when you get off the cable car. You might find yourself start huffing and puffing going up and down the stairs. Just sit down. Get your breath back and admire the views. Give your body time to adjust to its new environment.

Even though there may be brilliant sunshine at the top it can still be very cold so wear a warm a hat, gloves and coat. Do not wear shorts or short skirts. You will be cold. Do not be deceived by the sweltering hot temperatures down in the bottom of the Chamonix valley. Conditions are not the same at the top of the mountain. It can be windy and close to or below freezing. There are places at the top, where you can buy drink and food but they are very expensive so take your own food and water. Take extra camera batteries and film/photo discs. Batteries loose their power faster in cold temperatures. In high tourist season there is a charge to go in the elevator that takes you to the very top of the complex. The queues can be long. It is not really worth it as it's just one more viewing platform a little bit higher than the others. The queues can be long.

Yvoire
Yvoire is on the southern bank of Lake Geneva or Lac Leman, as the French call it. It is defiantly worth the drive. Yvoire is a compact beautiful medieval town that could be a setting right out of a romantic period novel. There are many craftwork shops and art galleries to explore. We loved love it. If you look closely you can still see elements of the 14th century fortifications like the castle, ramparts and doors. Count Amédée V started the construction of the castle and town’s defences in 1306 during the war between the French Dauphiné and Savoy. Later the whole region was occupied by the Swiss Bernese. They were allies of the French and Genevese from 1536 to 1591. During this period the town lost its ramparts and military role. The castle was burnt and remained roofless for 350 years. Yvoire was forgotten by the rest of the world for many years. It was a town occupied by farmers and fishermen. There was hardly any new development. This is why many of the marvellous medieval features have remained intact. They have been restored so as to preserve the atmosphere of earlier times. The castle’s former vegetable garden in the heart of the village has been restored as a medieval enclosed garden. It is called the Garden of five sense. It is a world of colours, scents, sounds and textures. It is open every day from mid-April to mid-October. You can cruise on Lac Leman Lake Geneva on the magnificent steamers and paddle-steamers that call into Yvoire. A great way to discover the other French and Swiss Lakeside towns and villages.