For a few years now, visiting Chamonix again has been one of those Bucket List places that I’ve always wanted to return to.
In the autumn of 2013 we visited the town for the day up from Geneva and I’ve dreamt, literally dreamt about going back ever since. Six years later and I made it back!
When you revisit a place, sometimes the anticipation can feel like you might be on the verge of a letdown. I was nervous that the Chamonix I had built up in my mind a few years ago wouldn’t live up to what it is in 2019.
On the car journey from Geneva airport to Chamonix (about an hour and 15 minutes for those out there planning ahead) I was getting more and more anxious. As I helped Joe with directions, I felt that familiar knot of anxiety bubbling in my stomach. We were only there for a few hours… was I sure it was like I’d remembered it?
Turns out… it was!
Time appeared to have stood still in our absence. We returned to the town of just under 9,000 people to a beautiful chalet as our home for a few nights. I couldn’t recommend getting a chalet Airbnb enough. That meant that we had our very own home base for a few days and it couldn’t have felt more like our home away from home. More on that for another post though.
If you’re like me, you don’t ski but still want to experience mountain holidays…
5 things to do in Chamonix if you don’t ski
Try the fondue at Chez Constant
Of course we HAD to. We tried out some pretty great restaurants during our stay – and I’d love to go back again and explore more, especially the Mexican restaurants which I heard such good things about! But in the meantime, I can recommend you getting your cheesy fix on at Chez Constant. They also had some pretty fine looking seafood mains, so I’d say if you’re not after cheese, you’ll be onto a winner with that.
Go to the top of the Aiguille du Midi
I wrote a post already all about how this is a total bucket list item that you need to do if you’re in the alps. You’ll travel up to a staggering altitude of 12,605 feet. It feels wildly unearthly for your body up there, but the views are simply breathtaking. I’d also recommend visiting the Mer de Glace – which is a little less daunting of a trip. We did that on our visit several years ago – and my in-laws went while we hit up the spa on this trip. They loved it too!
Aiguille du Midi 
Aiguille du Midi 
Aiguille du Midi
Channel your inner celebrity at QC Terme spa
Unaccessible by car (yes seriously) QC Terme is a recently opened wellness spa that I’m so unbelievably delighted to have stumbled upon. Overlooking Mont Blanc, the views are stunning, the water very warm and the atmosphere incredibly relaxed.
QC Terme is a little bit of an expensive choice with day spa prices of €48 per person but I felt like it was 100% worth doing. It was the relaxing day that we were in need of after heading up to visit the mountain the day before. And the most surprising thing is that while it’s absolutely FREEZING outside, it feels oddly warm throughout their outdoor pool area. You can also book in for treatments, but we opted for day passes that let you have access to the pool and all of the spa amenities, like saunas, etc. If you want to visit in the evening, it’s also a little bit cheaper too!
Après Ski (aka wine time)
It’s my all time favourite activity! And while we didn’t head to very many bars (because we were very much in love with our chalet) I think après ski is a very important part of being up in the mountains. Around 3-4pm each day we tucked into a bottle of wine. There’s also a little local wine supplier called ChaChaCha where you can do wine or whiskey flights on the edge of town. Cheers to that!
Keep eating, of course
Is there really anything better than eating all holiday long? NOPE. There’s not. So in addition to Chez Constant, I’d recommend visiting La Caleche for those incredible authentic French Alps vibes (they’re also prone to good cheese too – Laura from A Little Londonish has more on that in her recent Chamonix post too).
But I’d also like to recommend a pit-stop into Poco Loco for their burgers. OH MY GOODNESS those burgers! Joe ordered a Spicy Chicken Hash Brown burger and it might be one of the best things I’ve ever tasted. Of course, the bread is freshly baked and très délicieux.
Last but not least…
(And a bonus thing to do…) Explore Chamonix town
It’s such a beautiful town that I suggest you take the time to have a good wander to explore what it has to offer. From beautiful shops, restaurants and gorgeous hotels, it’s a stunning location that you won’t want to miss out on exploring.
View hotels in Chamonix
More things to do in Chamonix:
There you have it, food drinks, sights and spas all in the beautiful little town of Chamonix. So, what are you waiting for?
Have you ever been to Chamonix or the alps before?
Kelly x