Things to do in Les Praz de Chamonix
La Forêt April 2nd, 2007
Here’s a list of activities which are based in or very close to the village. Of course there are many more in Chamonix itself - I’ve kept this to things which are available very close by.
Things to do
Climbing
La Forêt February 21st, 2008
If looking at the soaring peaks surrounding Les Praz gives you a thirst to climb, there is no better place in the world than Chamonix. For those aspiring to routes like The Dru or the Aiguille Verte - “the Alpine summit that turns you from a climber into a true mountaineer”, Icicle Climbing can arrange flexible itineraries and guiding. For those who aren’t quite yet ready for those heights, they also offer climbing courses at all levels. In winter, there’s the exhilaration of ice climbing to try, too.
Flegere Piste map
La Forêt February 5th, 2008
This is the piste map for Brevent and Flegere this year - click thumbnail for larger version. I hope you find it useful!
Chamonix Panorama from Flegere
La Forêt December 13th, 2007
Another of these gorgeous panoramas - this one, I think, is taken from near the top of the Floria lift at Flegere? The huge circular formation is the Lavancher bowl - the left hand side of this is part of the Grands Montets ski area. It’s really worth clicking through to see the larger version!
Sunset from the Flegere lift
La Forêt November 2nd, 2007
The blazing colours of the Alpine sunsets are caused by the natural phenomena of Alpenglow.
Pierre d’Orthaz
La Forêt October 1st, 2007
The massive rock known as la Pierre d’Orthaz was left behind by retreating glaciers. It’s a historical bouldering rock, and opposite it was the infamous Snell’s field campsite where the world’s greatest climbers used to camp out. Now very polished but still a beautiful and atmospheric sight…
Some tales :
Down memory lane to Snell’s field (UK Climbing)
…and another on Supertopo
Hike to Buvette des Mottets from Les Praz de Chamonix
La Forêt September 2nd, 2007
This little buvette is in a gorgeous spot on the way up to Montenvers - in front of the buvette itself, there are tables shaded with parasols and behind is a little glade of silver birches around a pond where dragonflies zip to and fro over the profusion of flowers.
On a clear still day, it’s a super place to watch the paragliders fly over the Dru, whilst the Mer de Glace creaks and crackles below. The food’s very nice too. We shared a lovely croute - bread soaked in a creamy white wine sauce, with mushrooms (or ham), and then baked with cheese. The owners are very friendly and helpful too.
You can get there a variety of ways, it’s signed from the Petit Balcon Nord. The walk up from Les Praz is really worth doing, taking you through an astonishing variety of Alpine enviroments, from bare glacier-riven red iron rocks, where tiny flowers bloom in the cracks, to lush ferny, mossy forest. You can also get there via the train up to Montenvers and walk down.
Usually open mid-June -September. Tel +33(0)6 14 19 36 77
Chalet Floria
La Forêt June 14th, 2007
You can see the beautiful flowered terrace of Chalet Floria high above Les Praz. If you’re feeling energetic, you can hike up there from the village - it’s well signposted and will take about an hour, winding up through the fragrant pine forests and wonderful scenery.
Otherwise, you can let the Flégère lift whisk you up to the top, and have a more relaxing walk down to it.
Once there you can take in the astounding views whilst having a drink or lunch in the riot of flowers - over 4000 plants cover the chalet and terrace, and butterflies flutter around as you eat. The menu isn’t extensive (not surprising, given the location!) but the food is very nice and reasonably priced. The friendly owners both speak English (Madame speaks it perfectly) and have a fascinating book of photos to flip through, showing the chalet over the years.
Opens from the end of April until the end of October.
Lovely photo of the Chalet Floria’s terrace and view on Chamonix.com
Panorama from the Flegere lift
La Forêt May 5th, 2007
Gorgeous panoramic shot from Flegere - it’s really worth looking at the larger version, or, if you have a really big screen, the original size.
On the left are les Drus - looking completely different from this angle. The Mer de Glace glacier is in the valley, and then come the Aiguilles de Chamonix, the Aiguille du Midi and then Mont Blanc - appearing smaller than it really is from here. The base of the Index lift is on the right
Golf de Chamonix
La Forêt April 14th, 2007
A beautifully scenic and well maintained 18 hole course designed by Robert Trent Jones Senior, with a charming log clubhouse and excellent restaurant.
Golf de Chamonix
