Bossonade Guidebook
Food scene
Here are a selection of restaurants and cafes both within easy walking distance of our apartment, as well as our favourites in Chamonix.
The best coffee and beans in Chamonix. They are only open Tuesday to Friday and they spend all day on Monday roasting coffee beans, which you can then buy fresh that week. I always buy my beans here and grind with our bean grinder. Much better than Nespresso!!
18 persone del luogo consigliano
Moody Coffee Roasters
195 Av. de l'Aiguille du MidiThe best coffee and beans in Chamonix. They are only open Tuesday to Friday and they spend all day on Monday roasting coffee beans, which you can then buy fresh that week. I always buy my beans here and grind with our bean grinder. Much better than Nespresso!!
The hotel has been run by the same family for generations. Really good French food and a legendary eat all you want dessert buffet. In the summer you get free access to their pool and clay tennis court if you have lunch there - definitely worth doing.
23 persone del luogo consigliano
Aiguille du Midi - Hôtel & Restaurant
479 Chem. NapoléonThe hotel has been run by the same family for generations. Really good French food and a legendary eat all you want dessert buffet. In the summer you get free access to their pool and clay tennis court if you have lunch there - definitely worth doing.
Lively bar and very good restaurant. Just over five minutes walk from our apartment and definitely worth a visit.
40 persone del luogo consigliano
Le Vert Hôtel
964 Rte des GaillandsLively bar and very good restaurant. Just over five minutes walk from our apartment and definitely worth a visit.
Our favourite restaurant in Chamonix. It's expensive but a lovely treat. Modern French food. Small cozy restaurant so be sure to book.
30 persone del luogo consigliano
Le Chaudron
79 Rue des MoulinsOur favourite restaurant in Chamonix. It's expensive but a lovely treat. Modern French food. Small cozy restaurant so be sure to book.
A chamonix institution. This is where to hang out after skiing the vallee blanche, shopping in town or pretty much any time. You haven't seen Chamonix life if you haven't visited Elevation.
81 persone del luogo consigliano
Elevation 1904
259 Av. Michel CrozA chamonix institution. This is where to hang out after skiing the vallee blanche, shopping in town or pretty much any time. You haven't seen Chamonix life if you haven't visited Elevation.
Lovely chalet hotel, with tiny rustic restaurant. They serve a set menu every evening, so there is no choice: all guests share the food.
17 persone del luogo consigliano
Chalets et Hôtel de Charme La Crèmerie du Glacier
333 Rte des RivesLovely chalet hotel, with tiny rustic restaurant. They serve a set menu every evening, so there is no choice: all guests share the food.
Lovely tiny restaurant within walking distance of the apartment. We've alway liked it. It has changed ownership since we last went, and the reviews seem to have got even better.
La Crémerie des Aiguilles
1416 Rte des GaillandsLovely tiny restaurant within walking distance of the apartment. We've alway liked it. It has changed ownership since we last went, and the reviews seem to have got even better.
Sightseeing
It's the second most visited tourist destination in France for a reason. It's amazing up there in the high mountains. Year round access to climbing, ski the legendary vallee blanche in winter or just get close to Mont Blanc. The lift pass is expensive but worth it. Make sure you go on the train to the Mer de Glace on the same day to make the most of the pass.
35 persone del luogo consigliano
Compagnie du Mont Blanc
100 Place de l'Aiguille du MidiIt's the second most visited tourist destination in France for a reason. It's amazing up there in the high mountains. Year round access to climbing, ski the legendary vallee blanche in winter or just get close to Mont Blanc. The lift pass is expensive but worth it. Make sure you go on the train to the Mer de Glace on the same day to make the most of the pass.
Hiking/Running
Chamonix is a mecca for hiking and running. Here are a few routes we recommend.
Lovely woods for an easy stroll. Either walk there from our apartment or drive and park at the top of the road. I often go running up here (you can climb a long way if you want to) and our children love walking and exploring in these woods.
In the winter you can go snow shoeig.
The trails take you up to Chalet Cero which is a lovely little restaurant overlooking the Les Bossons Glacier.
Clos des Aubépines
Clos des AubépinesLovely woods for an easy stroll. Either walk there from our apartment or drive and park at the top of the road. I often go running up here (you can climb a long way if you want to) and our children love walking and exploring in these woods.
In the winter you can go snow shoeig.
The trails take you up to Chalet Cero which is a lovely little restaurant overlooking the Les Bossons Glacier.
You can take the chairlift up here in the summer. Good views of the Les Bossons Glacier. The real rewards come if you walk (or run) up in the direction of La Jonction - the place where the Les Bossons and Tocconaz Glaciers diverge. As the path winds up the mountain, the views get ever more spectacular. It's a long way to the very top (about 1800m climb from our apartment, less from the top of the chairlift) but the proximity to the glacier and Mont Blanc are well worth it. There is another restaurant about 600m climb from the chairlift and that is a good place to aim for as well.
7 persone del luogo consigliano
Chalet du Glacier des Bossons
1 Chem. du GlacierYou can take the chairlift up here in the summer. Good views of the Les Bossons Glacier. The real rewards come if you walk (or run) up in the direction of La Jonction - the place where the Les Bossons and Tocconaz Glaciers diverge. As the path winds up the mountain, the views get ever more spectacular. It's a long way to the very top (about 1800m climb from our apartment, less from the top of the chairlift) but the proximity to the glacier and Mont Blanc are well worth it. There is another restaurant about 600m climb from the chairlift and that is a good place to aim for as well.
Breath taking views and you will get close to a number of large animals. You pay to enter, but get a discounted rate if you walk up from the valley. I often run up to the Parc de Merlet (and beyond) from the apartement and all the trails behind our apartment on the aiguille rouges side are lovely.
187 persone del luogo consigliano
Parco di Merlet
2495 Chem. de MerletBreath taking views and you will get close to a number of large animals. You pay to enter, but get a discounted rate if you walk up from the valley. I often run up to the Parc de Merlet (and beyond) from the apartement and all the trails behind our apartment on the aiguille rouges side are lovely.
Come here for a children's playground and access to the wonderful trails of the Aiguille Rouges, including the Petite Balcon Sud which traverses the range past Chamonix all the way to Argentiere.
Chem. de la Vigne, 74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, Francia
Come here for a children's playground and access to the wonderful trails of the Aiguille Rouges, including the Petite Balcon Sud which traverses the range past Chamonix all the way to Argentiere.
Ski restaurants
Fantastic restaurant in the Vallorcine ski area. I always take the train or drive to Vallorcine to access the Balme ski area (rather than go to Le Tour). It's a little bit further, but the lifts are better here and there are a couple of really good restaurants for lunch during the skiing day.
52 persone del luogo consigliano
Le Café Comptoir
Chemin Rural dit du Plan de l'EnversFantastic restaurant in the Vallorcine ski area. I always take the train or drive to Vallorcine to access the Balme ski area (rather than go to Le Tour). It's a little bit further, but the lifts are better here and there are a couple of really good restaurants for lunch during the skiing day.
Restaurant in the train station. This place is another chamonix institution. The salad dressing and fresh bread is unbeatable. You have to be a bit patient when it's busy!
L'Arrêt Bougnête
134 Av. de la GareRestaurant in the train station. This place is another chamonix institution. The salad dressing and fresh bread is unbeatable. You have to be a bit patient when it's busy!
Best place to eat on Grands Montets ski area. You have to book at peak season for lunch. Great atmosphere and so much better than the more generic restaurants on the rest of the mountain. I only wish the coffee was better! Note you have to be a good skier to get here and get down from here.
Chalet Refuge de Lognan
Best place to eat on Grands Montets ski area. You have to book at peak season for lunch. Great atmosphere and so much better than the more generic restaurants on the rest of the mountain. I only wish the coffee was better! Note you have to be a good skier to get here and get down from here.
I don't like the owners much but you won't have to see them and the food is superb. In the spring sit outside for a late lunch after skiing and enjoy the well-priced three course menu. So much better than eating at the other restaurants in the Flegerre Ski area!
9 persone del luogo consigliano
Chalet Hotel Le Castel Chamonix
100 Rte des TinesI don't like the owners much but you won't have to see them and the food is superb. In the spring sit outside for a late lunch after skiing and enjoy the well-priced three course menu. So much better than eating at the other restaurants in the Flegerre Ski area!
Another great restaurant in Les Houches Ski area. Run by Argeninians. Great steak but also good cheaper options too. The restaurant is off the beaten track and we often eat here.
10 persone del luogo consigliano
Restaurant La Tanière
2540 Rte du PrarionAnother great restaurant in Les Houches Ski area. Run by Argeninians. Great steak but also good cheaper options too. The restaurant is off the beaten track and we often eat here.
Walking from the apartment
So many good things to do here. Walk (or cycle) to Les Pelerins along the shared pedestrian/cycling route which runs from our apartment to chamonix. To Les Pelerins it goes between the railway and the river and the views are spectacular. Next to Les Pelerins train station are Le Gaillands rocks which are great for sport climbing; a little lake; a grassy area for picnics and slack lining; and also an acro-park.
6 persone del luogo consigliano
Les Pèlerins
So many good things to do here. Walk (or cycle) to Les Pelerins along the shared pedestrian/cycling route which runs from our apartment to chamonix. To Les Pelerins it goes between the railway and the river and the views are spectacular. Next to Les Pelerins train station are Le Gaillands rocks which are great for sport climbing; a little lake; a grassy area for picnics and slack lining; and also an acro-park.
Family activities
Public swimming pool, climbing wall, gym. Proper pool for doing lengths and also a really good childrens pool. They have special childrens sessions on Saturdays where they warm the water up and have loads of toys out for young swimmers.
69 persone del luogo consigliano
Centre Sportif Richard Bozon
214 Av. de la PlagePublic swimming pool, climbing wall, gym. Proper pool for doing lengths and also a really good childrens pool. They have special childrens sessions on Saturdays where they warm the water up and have loads of toys out for young swimmers.
Ski shops/hire
My favourite ski shop in Chamonix. Specialises in running, cross country ski, ski touring. Really knowledgeable and friendly staff. I buy all my ski equipment here.
Ravanel & Co - Chamonix
53 Av. du Mont BlancMy favourite ski shop in Chamonix. Specialises in running, cross country ski, ski touring. Really knowledgeable and friendly staff. I buy all my ski equipment here.
Snell sells everything - clothing, ski, climbing, hiking etc. Ski hire too but expensive.
31 persone del luogo consigliano
Snell Sports
104 Rue du Dr PaccardSnell sells everything - clothing, ski, climbing, hiking etc. Ski hire too but expensive.
Another good ski hire shop and a good place to get skis serviced. Very effecient service and conveniently located if you have a car. Good reputation for boot fitting too (I've bought boots here in the past).
12 persone del luogo consigliano
Sanglard Sports Chamonix
199 Pl. du Mont-BlancAnother good ski hire shop and a good place to get skis serviced. Very effecient service and conveniently located if you have a car. Good reputation for boot fitting too (I've bought boots here in the past).
A fantastic small business who come to our apartment to fit boots/skis and then collect equipment at the end of your stay. They supply kit from beginner to premium advanced. Our guests receive 30% off with a link that we can share after you book.
Local CHX
128 Pl. Edmond DesailloudA fantastic small business who come to our apartment to fit boots/skis and then collect equipment at the end of your stay. They supply kit from beginner to premium advanced. Our guests receive 30% off with a link that we can share after you book.