Road to Chamonix
We left Paris Gare de Lyon station for Annecy where we changed trains to Saint Gervais.
In Saint Gervais the Mont Blanc Express begins, a scenic mountain train route that runs from the French station of St Gervais/Le Fayet, with a steep climb to the Chamonix valley.
The route passes through Chamonix and Argentiere, under the Col les Montets and down the other side at Martigny in Switzerland.
We got off at the Les Bosson station which is close to the hotel, but when we arrived there was no one at the station and no one on the streets either.
So we were left wondering and started walking and soon met a French woman with a child.
After a brief conversation she asked me where I was from.
When I said I was from Brazil she started speaking in Portuguese, saying that she loved Brazil and had lived in Rio de Janeiro for a few years.
It was unbelievable to find her in that place, someone speaking Portuguese. She went to the hotel and went to her house.
Since we spent the whole day traveling, we stayed at the hotel to rest.
Aiguille du Midi
Transport in Chamonix is easy and organised, there is a bus right outside the hotel.
The Chamonix-Mont-Blanc valley, in the heart of Haute-Savoie, is the centre of mountaineering.
With 5 ski resorts facing Mont Blanc.
My first visit would be Aiguille du Midi.
However, as I was accompanied by Penha, we took the easiest route, the cable car.
Aiguille du Midi, one of the highest mountains in Chamonix.
In just 20 minutes, the cable car takes you to an altitude of 3,842 m.
Its terraces offer a 360° view of the French, Swiss and Italian Alps, as well as a stunning view of Mont Blanc.
One of the attractions is “THE STEP INTO THE EMPTY!” (THE STEP INTO THE VOID!)
A glass cage that with one step you are in the void below with more than a thousand meters of vacuum beneath your feet,
The view of the glacier and Mont Blanc is incredible, it seems just a step away.
The temperature was -5 degrees.
However, you can go inside and enjoy a hot chocolate with a croissant.
On the way back, between Chamonix and Aiguille du Midi, I stopped at the intermediate station (Plan de l’Aiguille), located at 2310m, to explore the mountain.
Chamonix
Chamonix, in the French Alps, is a paradise for nature lovers and extreme sports enthusiasts.
Located at the foot of Mont Blanc, the town combines alpine charm with year-round adventure.
In winter, it is one of the best ski destinations in the world, with challenging slopes and quality snow.
Summer, incredible trails lead to stunning landscapes, perfect for trekking and climbing.
In addition to outdoor activities, Chamonix has great restaurants, cozy cafes and a vibrant atmosphere.
It is the ideal destination for those seeking adventure, nature and an unforgettable experience in the Alps.
Tour du Mont Blanc
I was dying to do part of the Tour du Mont Blanc, but as time was short I ended up doing some of the other parts.
The tour has about 11 stages, and you can start and finish in several ways.
As I was in Chamonix I decided to start at Le Brevent, taking the cable car to Plan Praz at 2,000 m, then to Le Brevent at 2,525 m.
The view is of the southern slope and its great panoramic view of Mont Blanc.
Even at the end of summer it was still quite cold in the mountains.
This section of the Tour du Mont Blanc descends the slopes of the Aiguilles Rouges mountains.
This is a mountain range opposite the Mont Blanc massif.
From this high trail, you can see the Chamonix Valley all the way to the peaks and glaciers of Mont Blanc.
The top and the descent to the Refuge de Bellachat are sensational, providing unobstructed views of the mountains and glaciers of Mont Blanc.
Having a beer while enjoying the view of Mont Blanc, the paragliding flights are priceless.
The majority of the trail is a steep and continuous descent of 1,500 meters from the summit.
From Le Brévent (2,526 meters) to the bottom of the valley (Le Houches) you have to be very careful, as there are exposed and very steep parts.
Way to Hotel
My intention was to take the train from Le Houches to Les Bosson, but the train would only pass in 1h30min.
Checking the map, it was only about 4 km along the Avre River and through a forest.
I had no doubts, I arrived in Le Bosson before the train, the route was calm and pleasant.
At night, we went to eat the famous Raclette, which is a Swiss dish where the cheese is melted and eaten with potatoes, bread, etc., as well as a good wine of course.
Switzerland
We spent another day exploring Chamonix and strolling through the mountains
Chamonix is located on the border of France, Switzerland and Italy.
We took the Mont Blanc Express to Vallorcine and from there to Martigny
A link between the plains and the mountains, Switzerland and France, the Mont Blanc Express has been connecting Martigny to Chamonix for over a century.
Martigny, located at the confluence of the Rhône and the Drance, in the Lower Valais, surrounded by vineyards and orchards, is famous for its gastronomy.
The region is ideal for growing strawberries, apricots, grapes, asparagus, etc.
It is a scenic train journey that passes through the Trient Valley, with its rock formations, forests, wild gorges and classic Alpine villages.
It offers magnificent landscapes in the heart of an unspoilt natural setting.
Time to continue the journey to the Italian side.