Because of a technical glitch with the booking platform for our flat in Morgex, we got overbooked, and this summer we had to spend 36 hours in Chamonix.
This was not a bad thing. I’ve thought, as it was going to be a Saturday when we needed to cross the Mont Blanc Tunnel, it was better to stay next to it. Saturdays during the summer season, it get super busy to cross the tunnel.
We’ve booked our stay at the Wanderlust Motel. The hotel, an old Mercure, stands across from the Des Bossons Glacier, by the A40 motorway. It is better to pay the difference and have the glacier view. Not only because of the amazing view, but the rooms towards the motorway might get noisy.
The hotel itself was very nice. I’ve found the rooms a bit boxy, but the common areas are great. There was a couple of pool tables and football tables, as well as ping pong, and an indoor pool. The boys loved the freedom they had so they were all over the place.
The young staff was mostly from Argentina (as I am), which I found amusing. Looks there is a scheme that allows you to go to work in Chamonix for one year! And all the Argentines are taking advantage of it!
The day we’ve arrived, we stayed on the veranda having a drink and reading while the boys were having a splash. Then we had dinner in the hotel’s restaurant. Their menu was more of a diner, which was nice enough.
We had an early night and the next morning, I took Ozzy out for a walk, before the rest wake up. We had breakfast, which was very good, and then off we went to Le Brevent! We parked there, which was free (a bonus in Chamonix), and got our complimentary lift tickets (thanks to the Lift ticket office of Chamonix Mont Blanc).
Off we went up, knowing that the weather was going to turn in, but we had only one day, and we were going to risk it.
Also, Le Brevent is one lift that allows your four legged dog come with you. In France you are not asked to put a muzzle on your dog for getting on public transport. In Italy you need to. I had not have one at the moment. Now we’ve bought one for the next time we need it! We took the first cablecar to Plan Praz and could admire the amazing peaks across the valley, where Aiguille du Midi is.
I am always looking for inspiration for my next paintings, and I was dying for the clouds to move – that did not happen. But, I had some dramatic shots which I might be able to paint in the future!
We went straight up to Le Brevent, with is a tram (or funicular) where you get to the top. As soon as we’ve started moving up, the clouds closed in. We arrived to the top to be amidst the clouds. Never mind, we still went around the top and hang out a bit there, while the boys made a tower of rocks for the picture.
We went for a bite to Le Panoramic Restaurant at the top of Le Brévent. We could see in the picture of the table settings that you might have amazing views…we could not see anything! This means we’ll have to come back!
After that, we’ve descended to Plan Praz and went for a walk around. The scenery is stunning, there we could see the size of the landscape! Lots of people where flying on parapente. You see many more parapentists in this side in France, than in Italy. I guess the termics work better here!
As we had a full Chamonix ski pass, we came down into town and went first for lunch. But then, we’ve walked to the train station to catch the train to Montenvers. We have been there already another summer, having lunch at the Terminal Neige hotel, which was amazing. This time we were rushing to make it there a bit last minute. We made it, seen the Mer de Glace glacier even smaller than before, which is super sad, and took the small gondolas down. We’ve started going down the steps to the glacier, and I’ve realised that we were a bit late to make it up in time! As my little one wanted to still do it, I’ve left him go with my husband down and up, and I came back with the dog and my eldest to the top to have something to drink.
The view of the Aiguille des Drus from Montenvers is amazing, I have painted it so I am super interested in observing it with intent!
When my husband and younger kid came back, we took the train down the valley.
Chamonix is super busy in summer, it is one of the mountain towns that know how to capitalise the summer tourism in the French Alps.
When we came down, I’ve talked to a local friend there that told me to meet at the Jazz Festival, which was very near the train terminal. We’ve hang out there a while while having a couple of drinks and listening to the music!
Then it was time to go back to the hotel. We were too tired to thinking of going out for dinner as it was a full on day! My husband even fall asleep and skipped dinner. The boys went to the pool, and then joined me for a quick bite at the restaurant.
We woke up early the next morning, to have an early crossing of the Mont Blanc Tunnel. When we went to breakfast, it was full of a group of Japanese tourists. Ozzy came with us and had a ton of bacon and sausages. He was very happy with it!
We were not so happy when we were stuck on the queue to cross the Mont Blanc Tunnel smelling him fart!
Start planning your next trip!
You can search for your own accommodation in the snow for your next ski holiday through our Accommodation Search tab. Or if looking to stay in the heart of the Mont Blanc Valley in the Aosta Valley, check the direct booking for Il Coure della Valdigne here. This is our own family home in the mountains, that I am renting out when not using.
Featured Image: My little boy in Plan Praz in Chamonix. 36 Hours in Chamonix in Summer. Photo: The-Ski-Guru.
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