We're considering the Chamonix valley for our summer holiday.
Maybe camping, maybe renting a chalet/apartment. We have a tent, sleeping bags, 2 stoves and 2 sleeping mats but that's about it so I fear that camping will end up costing almost as much as renting a place by the time we have bought the other stuff we will need.
2 adults and 2 boys (4 and 7) and no specific biking requirements but preferably with some outdoor space to play and eat.
Any good experiences or suggestions?
Not Chamonix but Megeve, you can buy a lift pass that gives you access to lifts for walking, cycling and access to the superb municipal swimming pool as well as about 15 runs down the luge thingy. It's also much quieter and a much prettier village than Chamonix where I expect you will find the campsites full of noisy climbers. Megeve is still within easy reach of Cham if you want to go up the Aiguille du Midi or Montenvers cog railway (the walk from the Midi halfway station to Montenvers is easy and the right length for kids, scenically stunning and the ticket covers both the cablecar and the railway).
Absolutely stunning summer and winter. Give the tourist office a call they will help with suggestions on accommodation, there are lots of options and as you say it's the Chamonix Valley so there are many towns and villages in which you can base yourself. I would say you'll find a cheap self catering apartmet at an attractive price. Huge amount of outdoor stuff to do, walking, biking, climbing, paraparenting, rafting ... The lifts can be pricey worth checking with tourist office if there are family tickets.
Les Houche is very nice, and close to an uplift, which will take you up to the Buoisson (sp?) Glacier.
Mate posted this the other day ...
Thought about going to the French Alps?
They must have edited the crowds and the traffic out of that video....
I wouldnt not with 2 small kids, the trails there are very different to other alpine areas with some nice easy routes having biking bans on for summer. Just to clarify I visit there often as I have a daughter who lives there.
It is a fairly serious place and the weather is not always as good as other areas.
Me I'd head somewhere else until they are 5 to 6 years older.
Lol the video, not wrong but perhaps a bit economical with the truth.
In summer the campsites are rammed and the town is flooded with day trippers, Aiguille du Midi I believe is France's no 2 tourist attraction, after the Eiffel Tower.
It's a breathtaking place for sure, there aren't many places you can sit supping an apéro looking at glaciers, but go when they are older.
Autumn is lovely btw and the weather is more settled.
I used to live in Grenoble (met the mrs there actually) I was more interested in specific villages or event chalets. Saroz looks nice some think we'll trawl through gites de France for something.
Campsite at Le Buet is nice, quiet, and a scenic 15 train ride from Chamonix. Really good walking on that side too.