15 Nov Visiting Mont-Blanc-Chamonix
November, 2017
As we passed through passport control and headed towards the car rental area, we were greeted with strawberry plants right outside the terminal. We took a terminal bus to the car rental area where we picked up our car, and we headed directly to Mont-Blanc-Chamonix.
Since we only had 4 days to travel around the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in France, we chose a faster route via the paid highway driving from Lyon to Mont-Blanc-Chamonix. We stopped by Paul for a baguette sandwich, quiche lorraine and coffee on the highway.
As we got closer to our destination, we could see the grand Mont Blanc, the “White Mountain”, the highest mountain in the Alps. Even though it was October, the mountain was still covered with snow presenting a picturesque view.
We reached our destination, and we were greeted with a coffee time, along with fresh croissants and cookies at our hotel. This was such a treat!
Chamonix is a cute town at the junction of the borders of Switzerland and Italy. It has many restaurants and cafés offering a variety of food in a wooden decorated environment which immediately warms your soul. The town starts to receive sun light and the heat of the sun only after 10-11 am. It was quite chilly even in October, and the breeze from the mountain made itself apparent throughout the day.
As the town hosts many skiing resorts, it is only natural that almost all sportswear and skiing brands from all segments and product categories are compiled here.
There are many restaurants to choose from, including local cuisine, as well as international such as Japanese, Italian, etc. We were craving for some Raclette so we had dinner at La Calèche. We ordered one raclette (as indicated on the menu) and it was plenty for 2 adults and one 3-year-old. They bring a platter of cold meat along with baby potatoes, pickled onions, cornichon pickles, and fresh bread. It was absolutely delicious! We wished we had more time in town so we could try out the other things from the menu as well.
One of the main attractions in the town are the lifts going up to the mountain. These lifts are used for touristic purposes as well. The main and most recommended one is the Auguille du Midi which is easily accessible from the city center. It is a 20-minute ride up to the mountain, where you reach an altitude of 3.842 meters. It is 60 Euros for a round-trip pass for an adult.
Although we had made plans to take the lift altogether, traveling with a 3-year-old sometimes creates a catch 22 situation. The lift was unfortunately prohibited for children under 3 years old, and not recommended for children under 5 years old, due to the pressure created as a result of the quick acceleration of the lift to reach 3.842 meters altitude. So, we had to split.
The cable cars take approximately 20 people at a time, and you travel standing up, enjoying the magnificent views. It is somewhat like a thrill ride ?
If for some reason, you could not go up with the lift, there are many stores selling souvenir items, books, toys, etc. Also, enjoying a fresh croissant or colourful macaroons with coffee is something that you can easily access in this area.
The Montenvers Train is also one of the main attractions while in Chamonix. The train leaves from the city center and once you reach Montenvers, you can either take a 20-minute walk or the gondola lift to reach the Grotte de Glace (Ice Cave) which is re-sculpted each year. Unfortunately, the Ice Cave was closed while we were visiting, so we decided to leave it for the next time we are up there, as we are definitely coming back to this wonderfully cute town.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
