Chamonix
Chamonix is a world-famous resort town in the French Alps, located at the foot of Mont Blanc, Western Europe's highest peak. Originally a remote farming valley, Chamonix became a tourist hotspot after it was visited by English explorers in 1741. Its reputation was sealed on August 8, 1786, when two local men, Jacques Balmat and Dr. Michel-Gabriel Paccard, made the first successful ascent of Mont Blanc. This event is considered the birth of modern mountaineering. In 1924, Chamonix cemented its status as a premier winter destination by hosting the first-ever Winter Olympic Games.
Today, Chamonix is a year-round hub for adventure sports. In winter, it offers vast and challenging ski areas like Grands Montets and Brévent-Flégère, including the legendary off-piste route, the Vallée Blanche. In summer, the valley becomes a center for hiking, with hundreds of kilometers of trails, as well as trail running, and rock climbing.
Chamonix is a global destination for anyone from extreme athletes to sightseers, drawn by the awe-inspiring power of the Alps.