If you haven’t seen the thrilling viewpoints of the French alps yet, this ski season is perfect to pack your bags. France has 7 of the top 10 interconnected ski areas in the world. This variety of ski lifts are suitable for seasoned skiers as well as beginners and children. Many of France’s ski resorts are at high altitudes so the snow is better and lasts longer. Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is one of the most sophisticated ski areas in France that offers a range of slopes, altitudes and orientations and you can enjoy the uniqueness in stunning viewpoints in Chamonix Valley.
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is the highest point of the Alps and also in Western Europe at an altitude of 4804 m (15,778 ft). Mont-Blanc is called the White Mountain because it is always covered with snow. If you are going to Chamonix from Paris, there are several travel options like by train, by bus, by car, by flight or by taxi.
If you get into the train, the 471 Km (293 miles) to Chamonix will take an average of 8 hours 9 minutes. This average time may be longer on weekends and holidays. There are normally 13 trains per day and train tickets start from €49.30. As a popular commuter service in Europe, many train services increase their ticket prices during the peak hours (Generally on weekdays, between 6:00 – 10:00 and 15:00 – 19:00). There are no direct trains from Paris to Chamonix-Mont-Blanc so you might have to take connecting trains with a minimum of 2 changes.
When you travel by bus, the cheapest ticket price will cost around €32. The 470 km long journey takes on average 9 hours 15 minutes time but travel time may vary on weekends, holidays and specific dates, such as when traveling by train. Normally there is only 1 direct bus a day from Paris to Chamonix with BlaBlaCar bus service.
There are 9 direct flights that leave from Paris to Chamonix valley everyday, covering 474 km of flight distance in an average of 1 hour 5 minutes time. The ticket price will cost around €300 but the cheapest price can be found only for €73.
If you choose a taxi service as your traveling option it will take only 5 hours 43 minutes time in normal traffic to pass the 613 km and reach the snowy Chamonix valley.
Some popular towns along the way to Chamonix from Paris.
Beaune
This is a walled town at the heart of Burgundy’s famous vineyards in France. Beaune is famous for the annual wine auction held at the Hôtel-Dieu (Hospices de Beaune). This 15-century former hospital, recognized by its colorful, geometric patterned tile roof, is now the Hôtel-Dieu Museum. If you visit this cobbled town, you will be able to taste wine, attend wine auctions and enjoy a delicious meal. There are many restaurants, hotels, bed & breakfasts open for online booking too.
Fontainebleau
Fontainebleau is another town, 11 minutes off the main route and located southeast of Paris. It is famous for the opulent Fontainebleau palace built by French royalty.
Dijon
Dijon is one of the main wine making areas of France and it is the capital of the historic Burgundy region of eastern France. It is famous for its traditional mustard, vineyard tours, gastronomic fair in autumn and eye-catching building styles range from Gothic to art deco. This town is 16 minutes far from the main route.
Lyon
This town is the capital of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in France and located in a spectacular area where the Rhône river meets the Saône river. Lyon reflects the architecture of 2000 years of history. You can see this most popular town if you pass 29 minutes from Paris to Chamonix.
Lausanne
This city is a french-speaking region of Vaud, Switzerland which is on Geneva Lake. Lausanne is known for the International Olympic Committee headquarters, Lakeshore Olympic Park and the Olympic museum. This city is 45 minutes off the main route and 77% of the way to Chamonix. Away from the Geneva Lake, this hilly old town has a 12th century Gothic Cathedral with an ornate facade, 19th century Palais de Rumine houses fine arts and science museums as well as many shop-lined streets.
Montreux
This is a traditional resort type town on Lake Geneva and this town is known for the Montreux Jazz Festival, held in July. Montreux is located between the steep mountains and the lake. If you ask your taxi driver to divert the car from the main route and spend another 44 minutes to reach this town you can feel its mild micro climate and witness the beauty of mediterranean trees, sculptures and grand Belle Époque buildings as well as the medieval island castle offshore.
Annecy
The Thiou river empties into Lake Annecy in the alpine town of Annecy, which is located in southeast France. This city is famous for its Vieille Ville (old town), cobbled streets, winding canals and pastel coloured houses. Overlooking the town, you can see the medieval Château d’Annecy which was bought by the town, restored and transformed into a museum. Once it was a home to the Counts of Geneva, now containing regional artifacts such as religious arts and Alpine furniture. You can reach this town in 20 minutes from the main route.
Geneva
This is a Swiss city at the southern tip of crescent-shaped Lac Léman (Lake Geneva), shared between France and Switzerland. Geneva is the largest French-speaking city in Switzerland. It is surrounded by the Jura mountains and Alps, so the city has a view of dramatic Mont-Blanc. Switzerland’s second most popular town, very closed to Chamonix, can be reached in 11 minutes from the main route.
Some attractions along the way from Paris to Chamonix
Here are list of top stops along the way from Paris to Chamonix with short detours
- Château de Savigny-les-Beaune – Centuries-old castle, today a home to a rare collection of aeroplanes, fighter planes, motorbikes and Fiat Abarth prototypes as well as an exhibition of fire engines and high-clearance tractors.
- The Owl of Dijon – On the north outer wall of Notre-Dame Church, there is an owl carved stone. According to tradition, if one makes a wish by touching it with the left hand, those wishes will come true.
- Museum of Fine Arts, Dijon – One of France’s greatest and oldest museums which is located in the heart of Dijon’s historic old town. The museum also houses the tombs of the Dukes of Burgundy, as well as some 130,000 works spanning from the Renaissance to the contemporary era.
- Abbaye de Cluny – In Cluny, Saône-et-Loire, France, there formerly stood a Benedictine monastery known as Cluny Abbey. It was dedicated to St Peter. On its walls are several sculptured components from the old monastery and town.
- Abbaye Saint Philibert – The Abbey of St. Philibert, a former Benedictine abbey, is now simply the medieval church in Tournus, Saône-et-Loire, France. It contains masonry murals, blind arcades, and bands with patterns. As an example of Romanesque architecture, it has national significance.
- Touroparc Zoo – A zoo around 12 hectares area where more than 700 animals live. There are also other more attractions nearby, including a water park, carousel, railroad, and museums.
- La Basilique Notre Dame de Fourvière – The basilica of the nineteenth century, is devoted to the Virgin Mary and named as a historical world heritage site by UNESCO. It features distinctive architecture with Gothic, Byzantine, and Romanesque influences. There are four 48-meter-tall towers, which stand in for the four cardinal virtues.
- Musée Cinéma et Miniature – This is a private museum situated in the middle of Lyon’s historical centre, a home to a collection of more than 1,000 replica locations, props, crafts and pieces of artwork.
- Royal Monastery of Brou – The Flemish architect Loys Van Boghem created this extravagant Gothic-styled religious complex (a sort of dynasty burial site). It now houses an art gallery with works by several French, Italian, Belgian, and Dutch painters, from from the 17th century to the present, as well as a sizable library with more than 12,000 books on the history of art.
- Cascades du Hérisson – The cascades du Hérisson are a very photogenic series of waterfalls, within four kilometers, in the scenic river Hérisson. A number of trails are available from several starting points to walk following the river Hérisson and you may stroll all the way to the waterfall’s base.
- Lac du Bourget – The deepest and largest lake in France, is this natural year-round body of water. To take in the breathtaking views, you may ascend to the viewpoints situated surrounding the lake.
- Lausanne Cathedral – One of Switzerland’s most significant Gothic structures. Once, it was a home to the miraculous Golden Virgin. For stunning views of Lausanne’s rooftops, you may also climb the tower (it has 153 steps).
- The Olympic Museum – This museum is the world’s biggest source of knowledge about the Olympic Games and it reflects the nations’s spirit of sports. It is home to over 1500 exhibits such as interactive objects, documents and films dating from Greek antiquity up until present plus a park with sporting facilities for athletes.
- Aquariaz – Aquariaz is an aquatic haven with a lazy indoor river that includes amenities including a Slide-winder, a Chill-out area, and a Water Playhouse and a 34 degree heated outdoor spa.
Restaurants and Cafes along the way from Paris to Chamonix
While traveling from Paris to Chamonix, you can enjoy delicious food from various restaurants and cafes in France and Switzerland and stay in luxury to low-budget hotels. Here are some of the cafes and restaurants on the way to Chamonix.
Agastache Restaurant (134 Rue Duguesclin, 69006 Lyon, France)
They offer instinctive cuisines for affordable prices. If you are in Lyon this should be a must dining experience.
Coffee Shop Sleepy Bear (Rue du Simplon 3A, 1006 Lausanne, Switzerland)
The best place to have a coffee in Lausanne with an amazing staff. Their blends are really good and you also have coffee selections such as Oat and almond milk.
Cafe Bunna Annecy – coffee shop Italien (17 Rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau, 74000 Annecy, France)
You can enjoy delicious fresh coffee plus sandwiches, homemade cakes and sweets at a small wood-beamed cafe (Italian Espresso) with outdoor seating in a beautiful location in the center of Annecy.
L’ Aparté (Rue de Lausanne 43, 1201 Genève, Switzerland)
If you want an outstanding dining experience in the heart of Geneva, this gastronomic restaurant L’ Aparté at the Hôtel Royal is the place to be.
Le Comptoir des Alpes (151 Av. de l’Aiguille du Midi, 74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France)
A nice restaurant for French-Italian cuisine with very polite and friendly service in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc with a romantic atmosphere.
Sports equipment shops in Chamonix valley
There are a lot of ski, snowboard and other sports equipment shops in Chamonix valley. Here are few of them,
Technical Extreme (200 avenue de l’Aiguille du Midi, 74400 Chamonix)
This is the biggest independent sports shop in Chamonix. They offer a range of items from big brands to “no name, no fuss” brands which are easy on the eyes and the bank balance too.
Snell Sports (104 rue du Docteur Paccard, 74400 Chamonix)
Snell Sports offers sportswear, skiing gear, hiking kit, and also rock climbing essentials too. They are the official stockists of almost all the big brands as well as little items. So will be able to compare prices across brands under one roof with expert advice.
Desailloud Sports (521 Rue Joseph Vallot, 74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France)
This shop offers a better service at cheap prices. They have a variety of snowboard brands and many other ski and snowboard equipment, shoes, boots and clothing. Desailloud Sports also has a sports equipment rental service and online booking service for them.
Rossignol Store (101 Av. Michel Croz, 74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France)
In this store you can find a collection of ski and other sports clothes, accessories and shoes. This shop is near the Chamonix – Mont-Blanc train station.
Skiset les Aiglons (270 Av. de Courmayeur, 74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France)
Skiset les Aiglons is in the center of Chamonix. Renting your ski equipment at Skiset les Aiglons is a good way of saving time and money. You can also book your equipment online before going there.
From experience we know that public transportation could be quite hard, slow and even really complicated with your luggages, but if you choose a taxi service your journey will be more comfortable. Paris Private Shuttle taxi service is a perfect solution if you are looking for a flexible taxi service. Our drivers are so friendly and route experts so using our service you can visit the places of your interest, famous shops or outlets to do some shopping on your way to Chamonix.
We assure that we are one of the cheapest, quick, safe and comfortable services you can find in France and our service is available for 24 hours all the days of the week. Our online booking system makes it easy to book the taxi service of your choice.
