The Mont Blanc Area of France
Mont Blanc is the highest mountain in the Alps and in Western Europe at an altitude of 4,810m/15,781'. It lies between Italy and France with the two famous towns of Courmayeur on the Italian side and Chamonix on the French side. The summit of Mont Blanc is actually on the French-Italian border. There is a scarier beyond belief cable car that ascends and descends Mont Blanc on both sides.
One of the most famous hiking trips in the world is called the Tour du Mont Blanc, a classic 10-12 day circuit of the Mont Blanc massif beginning in Chamonix. The hike leads from Chamonix-Les Houches-Les Contamines-Les Champieux, France; Rifugio Elisabetta-Courmayeur-Rifugio Bonatti, Italy; La Fouly-Champex, Switzerland; Trient-Argentiere-Chamonix back in France where the Tour du Mont Blanc ends. About 10,000 trekkers attempt the entire 250km/155 miles each year but we planned on only day hiking for 10 days.
ex-Marine (husband, Steve) and I last visited Chamonix (and Megeve) in 1993 and day hiked portions of the Tour du Mont Blanc. A huge valley with 350km/217 miles of marked hiking trails, mountaineering, 40km/25 miles mountain bike tracks, rock climbing, rafting, other activities, wonderful food and hotels for every budget.
Hmmm...why not return? Chamonix was enjoyable and now all visiters staying in the valley receive a Free Guest Card. This card allows free travel throughout the Chamonix bus urban network (excluding the Chamo'nuit night bus), and on internal mainline SNCF trains between the Servoz and Vallorcine stations. A great savings on public transportation that gives freedom to bus/train anywhere in the valley. Begin the hike, come down in another area and bus/train back to where you began. You could also use the Free Card to Vallorcine on the Swiss/France border, purchase a Swiss train ticket from this point and visit or hike around the area for the day. Big, big savings! Visit the Chamonix website for all the details.
Planning Chamonix is simple with the exception of, where to stay?
