Chamonix
We leave Paris Gare de lyon station for Annecy where we change trains to Saint Gervais and then take the Mont Blanc Express, a scenic mountain train route from the French station of St Gervais/Le Fayet, with a steep climb into the valley from Chamonix, through Chamonix and Argentiere, under the Col les Montets and down the other side to Martigny in Switzerland.
We got off at Les Bosson station which is close to the hotel, but when we arrived there was no one at the station and no one on the streets either.
Then we didn’t know and we started walking and soon we found a French woman with a child and I asked her where the Mercure hotel was, she was giving directions and asked where it was from me.
When I told her about Brazil, she started speaking in Portuguese, saying that she loved Brazil, she had lived in Rio de Janeiro for a few years.
Unbelievable to find a person speaking Portuguese in that place. She went to the hotel and went to her house.
As the whole day was spent traveling, we stayed at the hotel to rest.
Transport in Chamonix is easy and organized, there is a bus right outside the hotel.
In the Chamonix-Mont-Blanc valley, in the heart of Haute-Savoie , is the center for Alpinism and skiing on the slopes of 5 ski resorts in front of Mont Blanc.
My first visit would be Aiguille du Midi, as I was accompanied by Penha, we took the easiest way, the cable car.
Aiguille du Midi´, one of the highest mountains in Chamonix, in just 20 minutes the cable car will take you to an altitude of 3,842 m.
Its terraces offer a 360° view of the French, Swiss and Italian Alps, as well as a breathtaking view of Mont Blanc.
One of the attractions is “THE STEP TO THE VOID!” (THE STEP INTO THE VOID !)
A glass cage that with one step you are in the void below with over a thousand meters of vacuum under your feet,
The view of the glacier and the way to Mont Blanc is amazing, it seems like a step away.
The temperature was minus 5 degrees, but you can go in and enjoy a chocolate and croissant.
On the way back, between Chamonix and Aiguille du Midi, I stopped at the intermediate station (Plan de l’Aiguille), located at 2310m, to explore the mountain.
Chamonix and Tour du Mont Blanc
Chamonix is a very charming and picturesque mountain town.
The main thing is the ski resorts, during the winter, but the place has a lot to offer with trekking in the mountains etc.
I was dying to do a part of the tour du Mont Blanc, but as time was short, I went to do some of the part.
The tour has approximately 11 stages and can start and end in different ways.
As I was in Chamonix I decided to start with Le Brevent, I took the cable car to Plan Praz at 2,000 m, then to Le Brevent at 2,525 m.
The view is towards the south slope and its great panoramic view of Mont Blanc.
Even at the end of summer it was still quite cold in the mountains.
This section of the Tour du Mont Blanc descends the slopes of the Aiguilles Rouges mountains, the mountain range opposite the Mont Blanc massif. From this high trail, we can look across the Chamonix Valley to the peaks and glaciers of Mont Blanc.
The top of the descent to the Refuge de Bellachat is sensational, providing unobstructed views of the glacial mountains of Mont Blanc.
Having a beer enjoying the view of Mont Blanc, paragliding flights are priceless.
Although most of it is a steep and continuous descent of 1,500 meters from the summit of Le Brévent (2,526 meters ) to the bottom of the valley, (Le houches) you have to be very careful, as it has exposed and very steep parts.
My initial intention was to take the train from Le Houches to Les Bosson, but the train would only pass in 1:30 hours.
Checking the map it was only about 4 km bordering the River Avre and a forest.
I had no doubt, I arrived at Le Bosson before the train, the journey was smooth and pleasant.
At night we went to eat the famous Raclette, which is a Swiss dish where the cheese is melted and eaten with potatoes, bread, etc., as well as a good wine of course.
Switzerland
We stayed one more day getting to know Chamonix and touring the mountains
Chamonix is on the border of France, Switzerland and Italy.
We took the Mont Blanc Express to Vallorcine and from there to Martigny
A link between plains and mountains, Switzerland and France, the Mont Blanc Express has connected Martigny to Chamonix for over a century.
Martigny, located at the confluence of the Rhône and the Drance, in the Lower Valais surrounded by vineyards and orchards, is famous for its gastronomy. The region is ideal for growing strawberries, apricots, grapes, asparagus etc.
It’s a scenic train journey through the Trient Valley, with its rock formations, forests, wild gorges and classic alpine villages.
It has magnificent landscapes in the heart of an untouched natural setting.
Time and continue the journey to the Italian side.
