On a rainy day we left Beaune for Annecy, where the terrain along the way changed from fields and rolling hills to forest-covered mountains and cascading waterfalls. There was not a room to be found in this crowded, difficult to navigate city and we were becoming a bit concerned this might be the case in Chamonix as well (our next planned stop).
I quickly got online and grabbed the last two rooms at Le Faucigny Hotel in Chamonix, perhaps two of the few remaining rooms to be found in the town. Seems our lack of luck in Annecy was to be our good fortune in Chamonix, as we had the most amazing experience above the clouds in this little town. Le Faucigny was a beautiful little boutique hotel with a Scandinavian feel. A scrumptious breakfast spread was laid out each morning, with tea and cakes served in the afternoon.
Chamonix, the largest of five villages at the base of Mont Blanc, is the sister city to Aspen, CO. We had researched hikes earlier so knew which trails we hoped to explore. Since our first day in Chamonix was a bit overcast, we decided to stroll the town, do the Riverbank Walk, and visit the tourist information office for hiking maps and info on the gondolas and lifts.
All hikes we were interested in required a lift up into the mountains. Sadly, two of the lifts and the cogwheel train had already closed for the season, so strike two hikes off our list. But the Aiguille du Midi lift, one of Europe’s most popular, was still running. All hope was not lost. 🙂
Before leaving on our European adventure we had read about a gondola ride from Chamonix over to Helbronner Point, an Italian border station. In a gondola built for four, you glide silently for 40 minutes over glaciers and snow-capped peaks into Italy. It sounded fabulous but unfortunately this lift had closed the previous week due to an “incident”. And we learned that incidents of this nature are not so uncommon. It seemed that high winds crossed the cables, stranding 110 people over the glacier. French and Italian workers were able to rescue all but 33, who spent a cold night dangling over the mountains. Yikes!
The next day still looked a bit grey but the sun was shining above the clouds so we walked to the gondola and purchased tickets. Our plan was to get off the lift midway and switch to another gondola that took us up to the tower at Aiguille du Midi, 12,6oo feet above the floor of the valley.
Drop-dead gorgeous scenery enveloped us as we stepped off the gondola, high above the clouds. Stately Mount Blanc, standing at 15,771′, was on display, as well as the Swiss Matterhorn in the distance. We could see Chamonix far below, as well as Plan l’Aiguille du Midi, halfway down the mountain.
Once we breathed in the views from the platform we hurried over to the Pas dans de Vidi, where we “stepped into the void”. Stepping into a 5-sided glass case, and looking down into the abyss, 3,000′ of snowy emptiness greets you. I loved it!
From here it was back into the gondola, where we glided halfway down the mountain to Plan l’Aiguille du Midi, hopped on the Grand Balcon Nord trail to Le Signal, overlooking a beautiful glacier and more heart stopping views. Along the way we heard a noise like a small jet and saw a very fast-moving object zip by us, a base jumper. He looked like a giant orange flying squirrel doing a fly by as he rapidly headed to the fields of Chamonix far below. This past June we learned that a man flying solo died before he made it to the landing field, when he flew into bad weather.
Our time in Chamonix was marked by so many remarkable moments. Terry and I both agreed that this would be an area to visit again, as the hiking trails are so abundant, many at higher elevations. We soaked in some of the most exhilarating views we have ever experienced.
Paint Your Landscape 
Absolutely gorgeous! I think I would enjoy very much hiking in that place. You got some beautiful photographs, and those pastries had me drooling. Only in France!
Alison
I think you and Don would love hiking in Chamonix. And the pastries are mouthwatering. 🙂
Now this would be a reason for us to make a trip overseas! Wow!! What absolutely spectacular scenery and to be able to hike in these amazing mountains…no words:) Your photos are just beautiful, Lu! Stepping out on the glass must have been difficult at first, but how neat:) Chamonix looks like such a cute little village. Lovely!
You and John would love the hiking. And if you think this is great, wait until I share the hiking in the Italian Alps, where we are at present. Killer views in every direction! 🙂
I love that little village. I could just sit at one of those cafes, drink a local beverage, read and take in all the beauty.
Mont Blanc….wow, wow, wow. I am speechless. Your photos are incredible. But, there would be no way I would ride in a 5-sided glass anything! You are two brave souls. Thanks so much for showing us more of God’s beauty
My pleasure Marsha. It is quite relaxing to sit at a cafe and enjoy a beverage and the local fare. I loved the glass cage. Terry wasn’t sure at first because he doesn’t like heights but he soon took right to it!
Absolutely loving following your journey!!! Europe does not disappoint, eh!!??😘😍 We want to pop over and join you guys!
Europe does not disappoint. Come on over. We are in the Italian Alps right now and the weather is divine!
Spectacular scenery and great photos. So, Chamonix is the sister city of Aspen. Is it as pricey? You are making me wish I was there.
Jim
France is a bit pricey but we did not compare real estate. It has been one of our favorite stops so far. But wait for the Italian Alps…oh my!
How stunning is that?! On my first trip to Europe in the 90’s I was here. All a bit of a blur but your photos have brought it all back to mind. Such a pretty little spot.
We loved every moment Sue. Have you been to the Dolomites? We are in the Italian Alps right now and the views are spectacular. 🙂
On that same trip yes. Stunning views!
I thnk stunning sums it up.
I am finding words difficult to describe the beauty Janie.
Stunning! Your captures are beautiful. Sounds like you’ll need to return when those lifts are all running 😉
Thanks Ingrid. I’d like to think we would return but with so many other places on our bucket list, it is doubtful.
Isn’t it amazing how the more we travel, the longer that list gets? Fun! Please let me know if you’ll be in Phoenix or Sedona… would love to visit. It’s been tooo long 🙂
Darling darling place!
Spectacular views!
Apart from a few small set backs you still seem to be having great fun and taking brilliant photos
Well hello there Bulldog. We are having a fabulous time. Hope you and your lovely bride are well.
What an amazing stop! I can see why you’d want to return…and at a time when the lifts are still running!
You and Hans would love hiking in Chamonix Lisa. The scenery couldn’t be better.
Wow, a hike is just icing on the cake on your travels. Gorgeous, gorgeous. Keep it coming, we might just learn from you, LuAnn. I felt my tummy churning as you stepped into the abyss…
You know, the first thing I wanted to do when I stepped into that glass case was to look down. It was stunning!
I just noticed, were you asked to remove your shoes and use their slippers?
We didn’t have to remove our hiking boots, just put the slippers on over them. My guess is that they don’t want their floors scratched or before too long you could no longer see down through the floor.
Chamonix looks so charming, and the scenery is absolutely spectacular. How long was the hike you did, and at what elevation? I’m wondering how it compares to some of your hikes in the States. Your gondola ride certainly provided some grand views, but the tale of the people on the gondola stranded for a night above the glacier gave me pause…
The hike we did was 5.5 miles at 7500 feet, so nothing too difficult. Many of the hikes we are finding in Chamonix and now in the Dolomites don’t give mileage. They give hours and minutes to instead on the sign posts. After hearing about the “incident” I no longer yearn to ride a gondola over the Alps.
I saw that ‘incident’ on the news, I bet those folks spent a fun night trying to keep warm, waiting for rescue. It’s a shame there is so much tragedy around the mountains so I am glad you are safe and loving you time in the Old World. I haven’t seen the word scrumptious in ages, probably since Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, that word just made my day.
Happy to have made your day Ste J, the wordsmith. 🙂
I’m changing my name to that!
You should. It fits you perfectly!
Lovely LuAnn! I would love to do the Tour de Mont Blanc trek someday. 😊
And I’m betting that you will Nicole!
Oh these are gorgeous photos…. both the scenery and the treats. I have heard about Chamonix and it’s beauty. You certainly capture it here.
Peta
Thanks Peta. We fell in love with Chamonix.
That glass case – that’s a whoa! Were your legs shaking? 😀
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful mountains and peaks! Took my breath away even just in pictures.
I really loved looking down the mountain. Heights aren’t as tough for me as being in tight spaces. The scenery was fabulous!
Oh, I miss this place – the town itself and all the wonderful trails around it! Thanks for the very pleasant trip down memory lane.
My pleasure!
Lovely to see your photos from Chamonix. We had bad luck and it was pouring down, flooding and thundershowers when we visited. Gondolas were closed and you couldn’t hike anywhere. But I am sure we’ll have another chance:)
We really lucked out while in Chamonix, although a couple of the gondolas had already closed for the season.