Towns & Villages in Chamonix — 7 of Our Favourites

Situated 8km further up the valley from Chamonix town and below the infamous Aiguille Verte and Drus, lies the picturesque village of Argentière.

While Chamonix itself has a distinctly cosmopolitan atmosphere, Argentière retains more of an Alpine village charm: the chalets and hotels here tend to be traditionally Savoyard in style and with more space and larger gardens than those in Chamonix town.

Who should stay in Argentière?

The main attraction of staying in Argentière is its proximity to the Grands Montets ski area which is home to some of the most exciting skiing in the world – both on and off piste.

Argentière may be a mountain lovers’ paradise with a laidback feel, but it still offers a good handful of shops, nice restaurants and après ski bars with live music.

Beyond Argentière is the small village of Vallorcine, accessing the Domaine de Balme ski area.

Who should stay in Le Tour

The skiing on offer in Vallorcine is ideal for beginners. It's gentle and generally sunny here, making it a good choice for families.

Combined with the spectacular views back down the Chamonix Valley, this area is well worth a visit. Just bear in mind that both villages are small, so basing yourself here means that accommodation and dining options are pretty limited.

Staying right in the centre of Chamonix means you'll be able to walk to and from the resort’s main facilities and attractions (even if you've had a few).

Who should stay in Chamonix?

If you want to be first on the lifts in the morning and last out of the bars in the evening, then booking accommodation in Chamonix town itself is a must.

Chamonix is where you will find the largest choice of accommodation, bars, restaurants, shopping and entertainment. By basing yourself here, you'll really get a feel for this legendary Alpine town, its history and, of course, that famous alpine après ski!

All types of holiday accommodation are on offer here, from luxury hotels to simple self-catering apartments, many within easy reach of the Aiguille du Midi cable car.

The north western edge of Chamonix leads you towards the Brévent-Flégère ski area and is known for receiving the most sunshine in the valley. It's also got great views of Mont Blanc.

Cheaper areas within walking distance of Chamonix town centre

Les Pélerins and Les Gaillands are a flat 5 to 10 minute walk from Chamonix town centre. Accommodation here is popular because it's still super convenient for town, but tends to be a little cheaper. 

Les Praz and Les Bois are just outside of Chamonix Town, en route to Argentière. They're two tranquil spots dotted with gorgeous chalets.

Who should stay in Les Praz and Les Bois?

If you're looking for high-end, large chalets and luxury accommodation with hot tubs, home cinemas and enough space to build an army of snowmen in the garden, this is the area of the valley for you.

Most of the hotels, apartments and chalets here have exceptional panoramic views of the whole Chamonix Valley from Le Tour across to Les Drus, the Aiguilles, Mont Blanc and down to Les Houches.

Les Praz is a quiet village located close to the Flégère ski lift and ski area, with an 18-hole golf course and a couple of small shops, bars and restaurants. In winter, this area receives the most sun in the valley.

Beyond Les Praz is the beautiful area of Les Bois, boasting numerous extravagant holiday accommodation options in peaceful settings.

Perched a couple of hundred metres up the south side of the valley, above Les Bois, is the hamlet of Le Lavancher where you will find some more luxury accommodation possibilities in a beautifully serene spot.

The church is the hallmark of Les Praz. It is an incredibly popular place for couples from all over the world to have their wedding photos taken outside, although you can sadly no longer get married here. With its classic interior, including stained glass windows and glorious mountain setting, it is hard not to appreciate it.

Beyond Argentière is the small village of Le Tour accessing the Domaine de Balme ski area.

Who should stay in Le Tour

The skiing on offer in Le Tour is ideal for beginners. It's gentle and generally sunny here, making it a good choice for families.

Combined with the spectacular views back down the Chamonix Valley, this area is well worth a visit. Just bear in mind that the village is small, so basing yourself here means that accommodation and dining options are pretty limited.

Les Houches is one of the largest towns in the Chamonix Valley and just 6km from the centre of Chamonix. Sitting at 1,000 metres, it offers spectacular views of Mont Blanc and the Dome de Gouter from the top of its ski lifts. The town is popular with families and those looking for a more relaxed Chamonix holiday, with good amenities, restaurants and bars, as well as some of the valley’s few ski in/ski out chalets and eco-friendly accommodation.

The skiing here is perfect for all abilities, with gentle slopes for beginners as well as challenging runs like the Kandahar, used in international competitions. Les Houches also marks the start or end of the Tour du Mont Blanc for many walkers. The town is made up of charming hamlets: Chef Lieu is the centre with the tourist office, ice rink and mountain museum, Vaudagne is a favourite with cyclists and home to a husky dog centre, and Coupeau sits across the valley with the Merlet Animal Park, adventure park and the statue of Christ Roi.

Servoz

Further down the valley is the small village of Servoz - the gateway into the Chamonix Valley. This traditional Alpine village, formerly a farmer settlement, has a scattered collection of accommodation options.

With fantastic views back up the valley towards Mont Blanc, Servoz is a pretty and quiet village offering potentially cheaper accommodation options. Just be aware that if you've come specifically to ski in Chamonix, it's a 15-minute drive or you'll need to take the bus or train from Servoz to reach the main slopes of Les Houches or Chamonix.