feb 3, 2024
chamonix mont-blanc ~ mountains long weekend in the french alps
By anne-Marie Leduc
ah the mountains…
The feeling of being in the mountains is indescribable for me. Mountains and the ocean are my absolute dream destinations. I have been fortunate to experience the Swiss and Dolomites Alps during summers, but I've always wanted to visit during winter. Although I don't ski, I yearn to go for hikes and enjoy lunches at high-altitude restaurants. Moreover, I adore everything cozy, from chalets and hot chocolate to fireplace warmth and fondue dinners. Therefore, after checking the weather forecast, we decided to travel to Chamonix and its surroundings from Paris since it wasn't too far. We first took the train to Lyon and then rented a car to reach Chamonix. Here's a glimpse of our long weekend in the French Alps.
wanderful life
coliving & art de vivre
We stayed at the beautiful Wanderful Life Mont-Blanc in Saint-Gervais-les-Bains near Chamonix, an incredible chalet with all the hallmarks of alpine living. It embodies the concept of coliving: you enjoy the chalet as a luxury mountain retreat shared with other guests. We booked the largest room with a spacious bathtub and balcony. It is fairly new and has been completely renovated. it was so nice that we decided to skip two diner at the restaurants and make ourselves diner at the chalet. All of the guest were up early to go skiing and went to bed early too, so we had the place to ourselve and enjoyed savoie region wine in front of the fireplace in the living room. We absolutely loved it! The hot tub and sauna were perfect after a day of activities. we will gladly revisit the Wanderful Life Mont-Blanc chalet in the future.
hiking & lunch at le chalet des bachais
1,700 meters altitude
Since I don't ski, I was determined to explore the mountains through hiking. We even rented snowshoes in anticipation, but the unexpectedly warm weather rendered them unnecessary. We decided to start our hike in Combloux village near Saint-Gervais-les-Bains, as it was close to our chalet. With a variety of trails available for all comfort levels, we settled on a 2-and-a-half-hour trek to the Chalet des Bachais restaurant. The majority of the hike took us through the forest, offering glimpses of the beautiful Mont-Blanc towering above. When we finally arrived at the top, luck was on our side as we snagged the best table on the terrace. The prices were surprisingly reasonable compared to other spots, and the food proved to be delectable. Make sure to indulge in the blueberry tart with whipped cream—it's a treat not to be missed!
saint-nicolas-de-véroce
Located just 6 minutes from the Wanderful Life chalet is this beautiful little village. It's worth visiting to enjoy a coffee or a bite to eat at the 5 stars armancette hotel. The view is stunning, and the village has a truly dreamy atmosphere.
lunch at the top of brevent, chamonix
2,500 meters altitude
After enjoying a leisurely morning at the chalet, we headed to Chamonix for a late lunch at Le Panoramic restaurant. Situated at an altitude of 2,500 meters atop Brevent, getting there required two gondola rides from the center of Chamonix. Although the restaurant menu was nothing spectacular and a bit pricey, the exceptional view made it worth the visit in my opinion. We were fortunate to have clear blue skies and warm weather for the season. Afterward, we took the first gondola back down and enjoyed a beer while watching paragliders in action.
spa at qc terme, chamonix
After a fulfilling day of exploration, my partner and I indulged in a blissful experience at Le Spa at QC Terme in Chamonix. It served as the perfect relaxation retreat, complementing our day beautifully. The panoramic view of the majestic mountains from the spa was truly breathtaking, enhancing the serene atmosphere. As luck would have it, the weather was ideal, adding to the enchantment of the moment. Though it's worth noting that the spa can get crowded, I recommend visiting during the week rather than on the weekend to fully enjoy the tranquility. Additionally, there's no cold plunge, which is worth mentioning. Nevertheless, it was a good experience either way, leaving us feeling refreshed and rejuvenated amidst the stunning Alpine scenery.
