Chamonix's new look brochure for winter launched

Chamonix has just launched its new tourist brochure for the winter season 2009/2010 with a brand new, bold look. The astute amongst you will notice it features Servoz, Les Houches, Chamonix and Vallorcine in one single brochure - and this is the first time ever!

Quite a feat then considering the oodles of political controversy and bureaucracy which had to be waded through before all four communes in this Chamonix valley of ours would even agree to the project. So it was with little surprise that the new brochure was launched in a blazing fanfare (with accompanying canapes and white wine, of course!) at a press conference this week.

We couldn't help but raise our eyebrows when we saw all four Mayors and their tourist office colleagues all sitting centre stage - it really is an innovation to have been able to get together and create a whole new 'look' for the whole Chamonix valley.

Even the brochure designers were there to proudly explain the new look, which is a more modern and stylish than before, with a rather nifty 'swoosh' effect which plots each commune with a colour-coded funky snowflake icon. What we like most about it is the fact that the shape is geographically correct - believe us, you'll know what we mean when you see it, it's not just the wine talking!

And you will see it very soon, as 85,000 copies have already been printed and are being put out on the shelves of the tourist offices from Servoz right up to Vallorcine as we type.

The new combined brochure is just the beginning. The communes are now working together to try and amalgamate the tourist office services for each commune, with umbrella services for all, whilst each commune keeps its own identity. Chamonix basks in the glory of 'La mythique', Les Houches enjoys 'La familiale', Vallorcine plays on 'La naturelle' and Servoz keeps it 'L'authentique'.

To this aim, the new brochure has a little phrase 'Singulierement plurielle' (literally 'singularly plural') which even in French is a mouthful, but the meaning behind it is that it's each commune has it's own identity, but together they are the Chamonix valley.

All we need now is for the snow to arrive!