The most beautiful landscapes of the Mont Blanc valleys

Contemplating the Mont Blanc massif from the natural balconies on the slopes of the mountains facing it is a highlight of discovering this region. But walking along the bottom of the valleys surrounding the massif, sometimes losing sight of the summit of Mont Blanc, also allows you to discover a magnificent mountain environment. Without straying too far from Chamonix, the flagship town at the foot of the giant of the Alps, here are some ideas for itineraries to discover the Mont Blanc region.

The most beautiful landscapes of the Chamonix Valley, facing Mont Blanc

Marvel! You are in the Land of Mont Blanc!

Chamonix will charm you with its proximity to the glaciers! From here, you can gaze upon the pristine white dome of Mont Blanc. A simple stroll through the narrow streets of the town center is enough to admire the roof of Europe and its glaciers cascading down the wooded slopes surrounding the town. Chamonix is a true small mountain town, with a unique atmosphere: you'll find yourself among affluent tourists, families on holiday, and sun-baked mountaineers. Add to that the skiers in winter. The experience of the Aiguille du Midi or the panoramic view from the Brévent, accessible by cable car from the village itself, are not to be missed. Walks along the Arve River, where you'll marvel at the vast expanse of white at every bridge you cross, are a lovely way to discover Chamonix. Hikes along the clifftops or very close to the glaciers will immerse you in the high mountains.

Going up the Arve Valley towards Switzerland, after Les Houches and Chamonix, you will pass through the small village of Les Praz. The magnificent chalets whose balconies look south towards the high peaks of the massif are as attractive as the landscape. The famous little church dominated by the silhouette of the Dru awaits your photo. The road gains altitude after a few short bends as it goes into the forest. This is how we arrive at Argentière. A beautiful bell tower, a glacier whose front dominates the village at the top of a cliff, the Aiguille Verte, forests. The mountain. We perhaps find here what Chamonix must have been like a century ago: a real mountain village. Quieter, especially out of season, when silence reigns.

We could continue towards the hamlet of Le Tour, which at an altitude of 1450 metres had the reputation of being the snowiest village in France. Before.

But we decide to continue on the road that leads to Switzerland. Just before the climb to the Col des Montets, a little gem awaits you: the Trélechamp plateau. A breathtaking view, in a row over the Chamonix valley. The Aiguille Verte dominates this magical landscape with its round, hanging glacier that caps one side of its summit.

In the Vallorcine Valley, it is the forests and the wild aspect that attract you. What encounters will you have at the bend of a path: a chamois, an ibex…?

This entire valley can be covered by train, and this is one of the highlights of the area: you leave by train, you return on foot… or the other way around. This makes the walks above the Flégère or towards the Col de Balme easier.

At the foot of the giant, the beautiful landscapes of Val Montjoie

Now head south of the Mont Blanc massif. Another landscape awaits you in the valley of Saint Gervais and Contamines Montjoie: the Mont Blanc massif is above you, it dominates you, it almost crushes you, but if you gain a little height on the opposite slope, this same massif will appear beautiful, majestic, sparkling. The hamlets that make up the commune of Saint Nicolas de Véroce offer magnificent viewpoints over high mountain landscapes. Just like Le Bettex, opposite Saint Gervais. The road goes into the valley, passes Les Contamines and ends at the foot of the paths of the side of Notre Dame de la Gorge, a magnificent baroque chapel lost in the forest. In winter, the silence is broken only by the sound of cross-country skiers' spatulas on the snow.

You can also gain altitude and explore the heart of this region: the Col de Voza above Les Houches and Saint-Gervais, on the Mont Blanc Tramway route, will delight all photographers. Further on, you'll reach the Bionnassay Glacier at the Nid d'Aigle terminus at 2418 meters altitude.

In the land of Mont Blanc, glaciers and eternal snow seem to slide lazily towards the wooded valleys. The fresh air from the altitudes descends in the evening and reminds you that you are at the foot of the highest massif in the Alps.

All high mountain landscapes

Here the mountain is as you imagine it in your most beautiful dreams: high and powerful, covered with eternal snow. But it welcomes you in its mountain villages which have sometimes taken on, as in Chamonix, the appearance of a city. Hiking trails or Nordic trails allow you to move from one to the other, both at the bottom of the valley, and higher up on the panoramic balconies from which you can admire the peaks of the Mont Blanc massif.

Are you sporty and eager to measure yourself against the highest Alpine peaks? Head to the Chamonix or Saint Gervais Guides office! Would you prefer to relax during a wellness session? Head to the Saint Gervais thermal baths! Do you want to take the most beautiful photo in the world? Go to the summit of Brévent! Do you want to stroll in the valley? Go to one of the Mont Blanc Express train stations to travel quickly between Le Fayet and Vallorcine. In winter, do you want to ski? Head to Les Contamines, Saint Gervais – Le Bettex, Les Houches, Les Praz, Argentière, Le Tour and Vallorcine.

What if you crossed the Mont Blanc tunnel to see what the Mont Blanc massif looks like from the Italian side? It's possible, it's easy: just go to the Aosta Valley, around Courmayeur in the Val Ferret and Val Vény valleys! And to come back, why not use the Skyway to cross all the glaciers?

In short, an accessible mountain that borders the high mountains. A real alpine experience, not to be missed under any circumstances.

Activities not to be missed in the Pays du Mont Blanc

See the glacial landscapes up close atAiguille du Midi
Admire the entire Mont Blanc massif from the Brevent
Discover the mountain fauna by walking in front of the glaciers of Mont Blanc at Merlet Park
Hiking on a balcony opposite Mont Blanc between Chamonix and Argentière passing by Lac Blanc
Entering a cave in the glacier, at the Sea of Ice, by taking the Montenvers train
Go for a hike along the Tour glacier to the Albert 1er refuge, taking the Col de Balme lifts
Lose yourself in the forests at the foot of Mont Buet Vallorcine
Marvel at the landscapes of the Aiguille Verte from the hamlet of Trelechamp on the road to the Col de Montets
Introduce yourself to climbing in the Aiguilles Rouges
Cross the chain of Mont Blanc by cable car to Courmayeur in Italy.
Embark on the adventure of descending the Vallée Blanche on skis, with a guide (be careful, difficult level!)
Find the best viewpoint of Mont Blanc from The Bettex above Saint Gervais
Take advantage of Saint Gervais thermal baths for a wellness stay.
Cross-country skiing in the Val Montjoie, in Les Contamines.
visit alpine museum and that of mountaineering (Espace Tairraz) in Chamonix, to understand the history of mountaineering
You can wander freely by train throughout the valley between Les Houches and Vallorcine
An excursion from Vallorcine to dam and lake of Emosson, in the footsteps of the dinosaurs. It's in Switzerland, but you can get there very easily.
See the massif from the air by taking a jump in paraglider!

The best webcams in the Pays du Mont Blanc

(click on the name of the village)

Saint Gervais : Magical view of Mont Blanc with the Chamonix needles in front, from the heights of Saint Gervais.
Mont d'Arbois: a 360-degree view of Mont Blanc, Megève and the Aravis, as well as the Fiz mountain range.
Les Houches: from Prarion, above Les Houches, you almost touch Mont Blanc.
Aiguille du Midi: probably the highest webcam in the Alps, at over 3800m. A breathtaking view of Mont Blanc and its glaciers. Improvise as a mountaineer from your screen!
the Brevent: from the summit of Brévent, just above Chamonix, discover the entire French side of the Mont Blanc massif. To be seen especially in the afternoon, when the sun makes the glaciers shine.
Flegere: from the Flégère slopes, enjoy discovering the Mer de Glace and the Aiguille Verte, high places in the Chamonix high mountains.
The Mer de Glace: as if you were at the Montenvers station, discover the Mer de Glace in its entire length. Magical.