Take advantage of the free bus and train card which is available from hotels or the information centre on your arrival. This will give you free travel along the valley on the Mont Blanc Express and on the local buses .It does not give you access to the lifts or the glacier trains.
Try a coffee and a macaroon in the delightful Café Macarons in Rue Vallot. Walk through the shop to the rear for stylish surrounding, excellent service, reasonable prices and tasty pastries.
Be prepared for fickle weather and be ready to change your plans if needed.
Use your free pass and take a train trip up or down the valley for some fabulous views and scenery.
Look out for free concerts in the church in the centre of town near the Information Centre and also free talks.
Visit the excellent climbing exhibition and crystal display in the EspaceTairraz. Spend some time watching some of the films on offer. The ones on sky lining and the early climbing in Mont Blanc are fascinating. There is also a chance to try out your climbing skills and experience the mountain rescue service.
Investigate some of the amazing climbing stores and other sports outlets where the locals and others buy their climbing and trail running equipment.
If it is wet why not visit the mountain climbing exhibition in the Espace Tairraz and then take a free train ride (using your pass) to Vallorcine and back.
If you intend to travel around using the cable cars and trains up into the mountains then buy yourself a multipass. The more days you buy the cheaper it gets.
Walk along the river or take the bus or train to Les Gaillands and spend some time watching the mountain climbing. This is the home of one of the local mountain training schools.
Make sure you take a good pair of walking boots and wet weather gear with you, so you are prepared for all eventualities.
There is an excellent market on a Saturday morning in the Place du Mont Blanc selling local produce, clothes and even grandfather clocks!
Make full use of the Office of Tourisme in the centre of town as they have a range of excellent leaflets and maps.
If you can get a regional flight into Geneva Airport. This is just over an hour from the resort along excellent roads.
For further information visit www.chamonix.com
More about Godfrey
Godfrey Hall has a passion for people and far away places. He really enjoys life as an award winning travel writer and has been travelling the world writing and taking pictures for over 25 years meeting some amazing characters in some spectacular destinations.
Read a Silver Travel review about an Inghams holiday in Chamonix.
