Chocolat Chaud and the French Alps, Chamonix

The alarm rings, it’s 7:00am. Time to get moving. We’ve got a bus to catch at 9am after all.

We’re off to the French Alps visiting a little town called Chamonix.

But we weren’t so optimistic. The clouds looked ominous. Would we even get to see the Alps?

J and I picked up a quick breakfast in Geneva before hopping on the bus. Croissants, cappuccinos and black coffee. I always forget that in Europe the black coffees are tiny. J’s cap was a normal sized beverage. Jealous.

Just before 9am, our chariot arrived.

Our glamorous breakfast spread.

As we drove along we had our fingers crossed that we’d head out of the clouds… We could barely see out the windows.

Until finally, a breakthrough! Wow.

And as if our drive had looked this way the entire time, we arrived in Chamonix, France.

Stepping off the bus, it was like the air had shifted entirely. Breathing it in, it was crisp and refreshing, unlike anywhere I’d ever been before. 

Who wouldn’t love waking up in this sleepy little place every morning?

We were eager to wander around the quaint town of Chamonix, just hold onto your hats!

The top of Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in the Alps and all of western Europe.

Unfortunately, the cable cars don’t run for about two weeks out of the year up to Mont Blanc. And we caught Chamonix during those two weeks. Next time though, we’ll go to the top.

Instead, we explored the town below annnnd playing with the frozen leaves along the way.

After walking around for a bit, we decided we needed to get a more proper breakfast and in from the freezing temperatures. So we ducked into this little restaurant along the main street.

And then we feasted in style. Orange juice, coffee, tea, baguettes, croissants and eggs… so delicious.

The sunshine started to peak through too, helping to warm us up along with our coffees.

And the birds came out to for brunch too.

Here’s looking at you! Probably offended we were eating eggs. Oops!

After brunch J and I went through the town to buy our tickets to head up the mountain to see the glacier.

Off to the Mer de Glace!

However, we did spot someone along the way with potentially a better view than us…

But never mind them! We were heading on a train journey skyward.

Tickets purchased, we were ready to climb the mountain.

And we went… and we were greeted with this view at the top.

Shockingly, this hotel operates during the summer and hosts a bustling restaurant. Who knew!

Going up into the mountain was breathtaking. I don’t think I’ve ever seen something so incredible. Nature surrounds you, and every which way you turn…mountains.

We only had an hour after taking the train up before we had to catch the next one back. And we stayed outside nearly the entire time until our fingers and toes started to freeze.

Luckily, any restaurant located around the Alps is almost always equipped with hot chocolate or as the French say, chocolat chaud. So we huddled together in the train station restaurant and savored these treats.

We had just enough time to fit in a last round of photos on the train ride back…

I wish we could have stayed overnight in Chamonix.

But sadly, we had to return back down, through the layer of clouds and back to regular life.

As a consolation to our leaving, J and I made a promise that we’d be back there someday.

I cannot wait.

xx Kelly