Visit Chablais, from Abondance to Morzine

The French Chablais is this region of Haute Savoie between Faucigny (around the Arve Valley) and Lake Geneva. No glaciers here, but photogenic mountains with isolated peaks whose slopes descend to small wooded valleys crossed by a torrent. The Chablais is the region of mountain pastures, chalets, cows with their bells, flowers and blueberries. In winter the snow covers everything with its white coat and allows hikers, cross-country skiers and other fans of steeper slopes to discover an authentic and preserved Nature.

Let’s explore the villages and valleys of Chablais.

Chablais between Lake Geneva and Mont Blanc

Close your eyes and let yourself be told what you would see if you were there, right now, in Chablais.

Whether you arrive from the resort of Les Gets, whether you go up from the shores of Lake Geneva via Thonon or Evian or whether you arrive from Switzerland through the Pas de Morgins, you will always be amazed by the landscape. Long valleys crossed by torrents, chalets and farms scattered on the slopes, villages without architectural ugliness, forests that go up the slopes of the mountains almost to the peaks that rarely exceed 2000m in altitude give an impression of harmony between Nature and the inhabitants that is disturbed only by the vagaries of the weather. Only the clouds allow to modify the tone of green in summer or the tone of white in winter of this region.

The postcard landscapes of Chablais

The landscapes of Chablais, along with the landscapes of Beaufortain, are those in France which most resemble mountain clichés. The famous landscape that is often attributed to Switzerland.

Indeed, very close and bordering the Switzerland, Chablais adopts almost the same traditional model of habitat! Here there are wooden chalets of all sizes… They stand out from the green of the meadows or the white of the snowy slopes by their brown color, aged by a soft mountain sun.

However, you don't come to Chablais just to see chalets and pastures!

Although Chablais is home to large ski areas, and tourists come here from all over Europe, this region has nevertheless managed to retain its authenticity and traditions in each of its valleys.

Châtel and the Abondance Valley

This is how the Abondance Valley offers you the traditional agricultural version of the mountain, of which the "Abondance" cheese is the flagship product. But it also offers a sporty version with the cross-country ski trails of the Chapelle d'Abondance, mountain biking in Châtel and of course the entrance to the cross-border ski area of the Portes du Soleil which takes you from Châtel to Les Gets, via Champéry in Switzerland and Avoriaz. One of the largest ski areas in the world. In summer, you won't want to miss the hikes around the very picturesque Lac des Plagnes which can be reached via a side valley from the village of Abondance.

Morzine and Avoriaz

The Dranse Valley of Morzine and all the resorts surrounding it: Saint Jean d'Aulps, La Côte d'Arbroz, the fantastic Avoriaz, and of course Les Gets whose pass separates Chablais from Faucigny, offer you an international experience of mountain sports. The reputation of these resorts in the heart of the Portes du Soleil makes them a popular destination from several European countries. This does not prevent you from discovering historical and especially architectural curiosities there.

In summer, walks at Lac de Montriond, at the goat village of Lindarets and access to very panoramic peaks like those of Hauts Forts or Roc d'Enfer will inoculate you with the mountain virus that will never leave you for the rest of your life. And I know what I'm talking about, this is where I got it! (And this will be the only personal note from the founder of AlpAddict on the entire website!)

The mountains of Lake Geneva

Finally, what about the pre-Alpine area bordering Lake Geneva? The Vallée Verte and the Pays Gavot, with the resorts of Habères, Brasses and Bernex, mark the border between the country of Lake Geneva, and the beginning of the high mountains of Haute-Savoie. Ideally placed to enjoy both the presence of the lake, a magnificent city like Geneva, and the rolling heights which offer beautiful alpine landscapes, up to the Aravisor the family Montblanc, these destinations offer a gentle alpine experience. Bernex, in particular, occupies a very pretty site at the foot of the Dent d'Oche, the emblematic summit of Chablais. Very close by, you can ski at Thollon les Mémises, almost with your feet in the lake!

Easily accessible from Geneva, Cluses or Thonon, the Chablais, so close, promises you a beautiful alpine escape. It is a traditional, authentic, rustic destination, whose winter ski areas are among the most popular on the planet.

Activities not to be missed in Chablais

Exploring architecture innovative Avoriaz, while enjoying its slopes or trails
Feel the magic of ruins from the Abbey of Saint Jean d'Aulps.
Looking relax on the banks of Lake Montriond, the color of whose waters is only a reflection of the forests that surround it.
Discover the Abbey of Abundance.
Understand the importance of Customs at the Old Customs House of Châtel
Visit the House of Fromage in Abondance.
Feeling dizzy in the gorges from the Devil's Bridge between Morzine and Thonon.
Admire the view of Mont Blanc from Mont Chéry above Les Gets.

The best webcams in Chablais

(click on the name of the village)

Avoriaz : the station live!
Morzine: the Morzine valley and the Roc d'Enfer seen from Avoriaz
Lake Montriond: follow the colors of the lake throughout the seasons!
Les Gets: A breathtaking view of the village of Les Gets, the Chavannes plateau and Mont Blanc.
Châtel: a view of the village and the valley. Ideal to get an idea of what awaits you for your vacation.