Chamonix in the Summer
Discussion
I’m thinking of spending a week in Chamonix this summer (late July or early August) with my wife and 3 year-old son. We would be driving there from Yorkshire, via the Dover-Calais ferry or tunnel. A few questions:
1) Is the drive doable in a day, bearing in mind we have a young kid, although he’s a good traveller usually? We have a Tesla so would be using the supercharger network on the way down.
2) Is Chamonix suitable for kids? I’ve read about some activities and there seems to be a good range, albeit slightly more oriented towards adults.
3) Can you recommend any family-friendly hotels in the town?
4) What’s is like for cycling with the family? Any simple flat bike routes?
Thanks
1) Is the drive doable in a day, bearing in mind we have a young kid, although he’s a good traveller usually? We have a Tesla so would be using the supercharger network on the way down.
2) Is Chamonix suitable for kids? I’ve read about some activities and there seems to be a good range, albeit slightly more oriented towards adults.
3) Can you recommend any family-friendly hotels in the town?
4) What’s is like for cycling with the family? Any simple flat bike routes?
Thanks
Any particular reason you've chosen Chamonix? I ask as you don't seem to know much about the place, where perhaps other resorts in the wider area could / would be more suitable?
There are plenty of other resorts along that autoroute valley between Geneva and Chamonix.
I'd suggest looking at that corridor, seeing the resorts named either side, then looking at the resort facilities in Summer before choosing a final destination.
There are plenty of other resorts along that autoroute valley between Geneva and Chamonix.
I'd suggest looking at that corridor, seeing the resorts named either side, then looking at the resort facilities in Summer before choosing a final destination.
That's a big day! 8 hours from Calais, but the leg from home which is 4 minimum. We plan to do it in one in the summer but normally stop overnight.
Loads of kid friendly stuff to do. Paddling in streams and lakes, there's a great low ropes course for kids, train up to the glacier, easy lift to lift walks up high.
IIRC there's a cycle path along the valley bottom.
Loads of kid friendly stuff to do. Paddling in streams and lakes, there's a great low ropes course for kids, train up to the glacier, easy lift to lift walks up high.
IIRC there's a cycle path along the valley bottom.
Bill said:
That's a big day! 8 hours from Calais, but the leg from home which is 4 minimum. We plan to do it in one in the summer but normally stop overnight.
Loads of kid friendly stuff to do. Paddling in streams and lakes, there's a great low ropes course for kids, train up to the glacier, easy lift to lift walks up high.
IIRC there's a cycle path along the valley bottom.
4 hrs from Yorkshire to Calais in summer in a Tesla? Sounds like a top gear challenge but that’s easily a 6 he drive with a stop or 2. Poor 3yr old that’s going to be no fun. Loads of kid friendly stuff to do. Paddling in streams and lakes, there's a great low ropes course for kids, train up to the glacier, easy lift to lift walks up high.
IIRC there's a cycle path along the valley bottom.
From experience, the most kid friendly hotel is an Airbnb. We stayed in one in Chamomix one road off the pedestrian section with my two young kids. We arrived late at night so in the morning the view of the mountain range as we opened the shutters was unforgettable.
Two things though….
The cable car attendants strongly advise not taking young kids up Agile du midi. We ignored their advice and lived to regret it. The altitude f’d with them and we had to drop back to half way very quickly. They had headaches and started acting crazy. Second, Chamonix isnt the best village for kids. More recently, we stayed in La Clusaz to relive my youth and they loved that. The mountains are lower so they could go up without turning into psychopaths and there was kid friendly activities. I’m sure La Clusaz will not be the best either but it’s an example, and one I know well.
Also, it’s a long drive. I have done it many times from the Yorkshire Lancashire border, but always broken into 2 days with a stop in Epernnay which can be part of the holiday. We fly now as we are based in the US. With a young child I’d consider flying. We land in Geneva and rent a car although you might not use it much once you are at the village.
Two things though….
The cable car attendants strongly advise not taking young kids up Agile du midi. We ignored their advice and lived to regret it. The altitude f’d with them and we had to drop back to half way very quickly. They had headaches and started acting crazy. Second, Chamonix isnt the best village for kids. More recently, we stayed in La Clusaz to relive my youth and they loved that. The mountains are lower so they could go up without turning into psychopaths and there was kid friendly activities. I’m sure La Clusaz will not be the best either but it’s an example, and one I know well.
Also, it’s a long drive. I have done it many times from the Yorkshire Lancashire border, but always broken into 2 days with a stop in Epernnay which can be part of the holiday. We fly now as we are based in the US. With a young child I’d consider flying. We land in Geneva and rent a car although you might not use it much once you are at the village.
Edited by h0b0 on Sunday 24th April 13:24
Thanks for the tips so far.
I’m not set on Chamonix but thought I’d start somewhere. Main requirements are:
1) Good selection of bars, cafes and restaurants.
2) Variety of decent shops for the missus.
3) Things for the little one - e.g. play areas, pools, animal/wildlife attractions
4) Nearby attractions a short drive away (say 30 mins)
5) Some family friendly bike trails (flat)
6) Some good mountains for me to cycle up - doesn’t need to start in the town but wouldn’t want to ride on very busy roads to get there.
Given the distance we may stop half way overnight to break the journey.
Any other suggestions more than welcome.
I’m not set on Chamonix but thought I’d start somewhere. Main requirements are:
1) Good selection of bars, cafes and restaurants.
2) Variety of decent shops for the missus.
3) Things for the little one - e.g. play areas, pools, animal/wildlife attractions
4) Nearby attractions a short drive away (say 30 mins)
5) Some family friendly bike trails (flat)
6) Some good mountains for me to cycle up - doesn’t need to start in the town but wouldn’t want to ride on very busy roads to get there.
Given the distance we may stop half way overnight to break the journey.
Any other suggestions more than welcome.
nammynake said:
Given the distance we may stop half way overnight to break the journey.
Yorkshire to Chamonix is doable in one go but i wouldn't with a young child. Add a Tesla to the mix and things start to sound pretty unpleasant. Even if things went perfectly to plan you've already turned a long day into a miserable epic.Snow and Rocks said:
Yorkshire to Chamonix is doable in one go but i wouldn't with a young child. Add a Tesla to the mix and things start to sound pretty unpleasant. Even if things went perfectly to plan you've already turned a long day into a miserable epic.
Yes, think we’ll be stopping overnight to break the journey. The Tesla is the least of my worries though - the supercharger network will make it easy and we’ll combine charging with food/toilet stops anyway. Plus Autopilot makes for really relaxed driving.nammynake said:
Yes, think we’ll be stopping overnight to break the journey. The Tesla is the least of my worries though - the supercharger network will make it easy and we’ll combine charging with food/toilet stops anyway. Plus Autopilot makes for really relaxed driving.
I'm not saying the charging will necessarily be a pain but over such a big distance the charging stops do add up and, in my opinion, tip the journey beyond what is sensible. I'd do an 800 mile day in my Hilux but wouldn't dream of doing it in our model 3. A quick play about with the Tesla route planner suggests at least 17 hours with 5 charges along the way.
We're booked up to go in February. We're going with the family next door and taking our kids (5 and 6 year olds.) We've got a lodge which will help in the evenings in terms of not being stuck in a hotel room with children but the couple we are going with have been several times. There's a swimming pool in the main area and they said their daughter loved the dog sled ride. I really want to do the Aiguille du Midi but I' m not sure about taking the children. I might do that with one of the party and leave the kids with the others. I've not been before but from what I can gather it's not the best place for kids but my thinking is that with two of them, they play nicely together and entertain each other so they should be fine.
Bill said:
NorthDave said:
Personally I would avoid Chamonix.
Just curious, but any particular reason?If they'd never built the thing maybe Chamonix could have been France's version of Zermatt?
I've done South Yorks to the Alps many times, it's a fairly long drive and I'd imagine even longer in a Tesla and with a small child.
Chamonix is expensive and IMO overrated. Tend to head towards Les Gets in the summer, although that's solely for MTB.
I've camped in Sallanches below Les Contamines and there's plenty of flatish cycling in that area.
Chamonix is expensive and IMO overrated. Tend to head towards Les Gets in the summer, although that's solely for MTB.
I've camped in Sallanches below Les Contamines and there's plenty of flatish cycling in that area.
Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff