The hostel with the best view - Chamonix

If you have the luck to come to this hostel, you should try to get a room with a view of the glacier and the snow covered peaks with mighty Mont Blanc (4810 m) above them! Most of the 120 beds are in smaller rooms with their own shower, but you have to walk down the corridor to get to the toilet. The extra blankets are under the bed, for the hostel operates whole year around and despite heating, it gets really cold. Even if Chamonix is most famous as a ski resort, the hostel is best visited during the summer.

Free transport

It’s a bit far to the city center, a few kilometres more than a nice walk, but there are frequent busses taking you there. And it’s all free for the guests in Chamonix! You get a transport pass at the place you’re staying and it is meant for the local buses and trains. But at least the first part of your way to the center you should walk, fir the path takes you under the road, with a pure artistic gallery taking you to winter in the middle of the summer.

It started with the English…

The story of the tourist boom of the city is connected with English, who “discovered” this sleepy village under the glacier in the 18th century. In 1786 French climbers conquered Mont Blanc and the village became even more famous. They started building luxurious hotels and city got a road and railroad connection. The first winter Olympics of 1924 gave new wind to the city, which is still most famous for the numerous ski slopes – its biggest attraction in this part of the Alps. But the summer is also very active. There are many glaciers nearby – with Mer de glace as the easiest to reach. You can reach it with the mountain railway in 20 minutes (with its 7km it is the largest in France).

You can also take the highest train ride in France – the Mont Blanc tram, leading up to the Nid d’Aigile (2372 m high) near another glacier. This is also the base for conquering the mighty mountain top. Cyclist love this train, for it allows them to ride down the mountain biking trails.

There are also many cable carts and ski lifts that run up the mountains. The most picturesque takes the guests to the Aiguille du Midi, at 3842 m of elevation. This is the tallest cable cart in Europe. From here you see the French, Swiss and Italian Alps and naturally Mont Blanc. You can also take the cart over the glacier Geant and reach the Pointe Helbronner in Italy.

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