Chamonix Experience - Layout of the valley



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At a height of 1,035 m, Chamonix is located in the heart of the northern Alps at the intersection of France, Italy and Switzerland. The Mont Blanc dominates the entire valley, along with the Aiguille du Gouter, the Aiguille du Midi, the Vertes, the Drus and Auguille Rouge.

The Chamonix Valley extends 17km from the top of the Col des Montets to the Taconnaz torrent From one end of the valley to the other, there are numerous urbanisations including: Servoz, Les Houches, Les Bossons (1,012m), Chamonix Mont-Blanc, Le Praz (1,060m), Argentière. Le Tour and Vallorcine.

The Valley is home to 13,733 permanent inhabitants, which are divided as follows amongst the various villages: Servoz (829) - Les Houches (2,708) - Chamonix et Argentière (9,800) - Vallorcine (396).


	Servoz
At a height of 816 m, this is the first village that you come to. Here the traditional farming life of an authentic mountain village mixes with modern day tourism. Well worth a visit are the Gorges de la Diosaz, the Maison de l’Alpage, and the numerous local artisans’ workshops.


	Gorges de la Diosaz
Take a short trip down the valley to the peaceful hamlet of Servoz for an unforgettable gastronomic experience. The new chef, well known amongst the cognoscenti of Chamonix’s restaurant scene, displays his culinary flair with the addition of subtle new flavours and fresh local produce to offer his own original twist on classical French cuisine. With a range of menus to cater for different palettes and budgets, and a wide selection of reasonably priced, fine wines, chosen in collaboration with an expert local wine merchant, Le Berlu Croquet, this is a delightful restaurant. Away from the hussle and bussle of Chamonix, you can simply relax and enjoy the pleasures of a delicious meal. www.hoteldesgorges.com


	Les Houches
At 1000m, this village is composed of 6 hamlets, and as a ski resort in its own right offers some exceptional skiing, and regularly hosts world skiing events. Les Houches is included on the Mont-Blanc “unlimited” lift pass.


	Argentière
Dominated by the impressive Aiguille Verte peak, Argentière is considered one of the foremost Alpine ski resorts due to its altitude, its North facing slopes and the powder fields of the Grands Montets ski area. Skiers from everywhere in the world come here to experience the “Grands”. Although the off-piste skiing is exclusively for extreme skiers, it also provides plenty of easy runs.


	Alpine Space Development
An exceptional property development in the heart of Argentière, Chamonix. Only a very few of these luxury apartments remain for sale in the centre of the village, at the foot of Grands Montets. The enviromentally friendly "Clos de la Croix Blanche" benefits from solar panels, grey water, timber from a renewable source, geo-thermal heat exchangers... and the most contemporary materials coupled with intelligent living! www.alpinespace.biz


	Fubar


	Les Praz
Between Chamonix and Argentière the village of Les Praz is one of the prettiest in the valley set in a woody area on the edge of the river l'Avre. Les Praz is well connected by bus or train but if you feel like walking, a 25 minute stroll along the river bank will lead you to Chamonix. The south-facing ski area of Flègère is accessed from Les Praz and linked by cable car to Le Brevent. The mainly blue & red runs make this a perfect intermediate area. Boasting some fantastic restaurants like the Cabane at the golf course or the Hotel Eden, Les Praz is worth visiting at night too.


	Le Tour
This peaceful village and its surrounding ski area, is situated at the far end of the valley, just after Argentière, at an altitude of 1264m. The lift system comprises of two gondolas and five other lifts. The second 8-seat gondola, added in 2005, links Le Tour to the village of Vallorcine, to collectively make up the Domaine de Balme ski area. Skiers and snowboarders of all abilities, will discover a vast, sun-soaked resort which offers wide and varied slopes on the Charamillon side and steeper pistes on the Vallorcine side where experts can improve their technique.


	Vallorcine
16 km from Chamonix, Vallorcine is a small picturesque mountain village which offers a host of skiing for beginners and experts alike. The new 8 seater bubble, which was installed last year, effectively linked up La Tour and Vallorcine into a huge new ski area, the Domaine de Balme.