Chamonix Maps

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, commonly known as Chamonix, is a commune located in the Haute-Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of southeastern France. Situated in the French Alps near the borders of Switzerland and Italy, the town lies at the base of Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in the Alps at 4,808 meters (15,774 feet). The population of the commune is approximately 9,000 residents.

Chamonix gained international recognition when it hosted the first Winter Olympic Games in 1924. The town has since developed into one of Europe's premier destinations for winter sports and mountaineering. The area attracts over five million visitors annually, drawn by activities including skiing, snowboarding, ice climbing, and hiking.

The Aiguille du Midi cable car, constructed in 1955, transports visitors to an elevation of 3,842 meters (12,605 feet), providing access to off-piste skiing and panoramic views of the French, Swiss, and Italian Alps. The journey takes approximately 20 minutes and is one of the highest vertical ascent cable cars in the world.

Other notable attractions include the Mer de Glace, France's largest glacier, accessible via the historic Montenvers Railway that began operation in 1909. The Mont Blanc Tunnel, a 11.6-kilometer road tunnel connecting France and Italy, opened in 1965 and represents a significant engineering achievement. The town center features traditional Alpine architecture and serves as the starting point for the renowned Tour du Mont Blanc hiking trail, which circles the Mont Blanc massif through three countries.