Chamonix

The first visitors

When two young English aristocrats, William Windham and Richard Pocock, discovered the priory of “Chamouni” in 1741, they had no idea that their tale of this small mountain village and its ice houses would spread throughout Europe.

Soon, wealthy tourists, mostly English, were coming to admire the mysterious Mer de Glace. They created a demand for the valley's crystal makers and hunters, who became their guides.

From Chamouni to Chamonix

The first inn opened its doors in 1770, marking the beginning of the simultaneous development of the hotel industry and mountain climbing. The conquest of Mont Blanc by Jacques Balmat and Michel Gabriel Paccard in 1786 demystified the peaks that dominated the valley and sealed the fate of the small mountain town. The influence of pre-Romantic and Romantic writings also eased people's apprehension of the peaks, and established the mountains as an expression of unspoilt nature.

The first luxury hotel was built in 1816, followed by three full-fledged palaces rising from the valley's peaceful oat and rye fields. The summer tourism craze was accompanied by the creation of the Compagnie des Guides in 1821, and the construction of the Montenvers train in 1908. 6 years later, there were no fewer than 39 hotels in the valley!

But the real turning point in Chamonix's development was the creation of road and rail infrastructures. A carriage road between Chamonix and Geneva was built under the reign of Napoleon III. The railroad arrived in Chamonix in 1901. This opened up the valley in winter and paved the way for winter sports, pioneered by Dr. Payot.

The mountains accessible to all

Chamonix's consecration as a winter city came in 1924, with the organization of the first Winter Olympics. Since then, Chamonix has undergone rapid development, with the construction of numerous ski lifts, including the famous Glacier and Planpraz lifts, followed by the Brevent, Aiguille du Midi and Flégère lifts. Today, Chamonix is a city and a privileged gateway to Italy via the Mont-Blanc tunnel, and continues to develop in a way that balances tourism and road development with the preservation of an exceptional environment.

A mountain town with a thousand faces

Chamonix has developed under the influence of tourism, and has grown in line with various periods and architectural trends. This specificity has endowed the town with a rich and diverse heritage, combining tradition and modernity. As you stroll through the town, you'll discover Protestant churches and chapels dating back several centuries, hotels and palaces from the belle époque, Art Deco facades, traditional farmhouses, colossal villas, contrasting chalets and modern buildings. The town is made up of different architectural strata, giving it an originality and variety that are unclassifiable for a mountain town.

Here's a tip: keep your eyes peeled as you stroll through the center and outskirts of town. You'll discover unsuspected details.