Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
▲▲▲ Paragliding (Parapente)
When it's sunny and clear, the skies above Chamonix sparkle with colorful parachute-like
sails that circle the valley like birds of prey. For about €100 (plus the lift up), you can
launch yourself off a mountain in a tandem paraglider with a trained, experienced pilot
and fly like a bird for about 20 minutes. Most pilots will meet you at the lift station in
Chamonix (usually from Le Brévent side, though you can ask them to fly you from Plan
de l'Aiguille if you'll be there anyway and are pressed for time—not possible July-Aug).
You fly for 20 minutes, but you need to allocate an hour for the whole activity. Sean Potts
isEnglish(nolanguagebarrier)andeasytoworkwith( info@fly-chamonix.com ) .Youcan
also try Summits Parapente (smart to reserve a day ahead, open year-round, tel. 04 50 53
50 14, mobile 06 84 01 26 00, www.summits.fr ).
Forasneakpreview,walktooneofthetwomainlandingareasandwatchparagliders
perfect their landings (see “Chamonix Area Hikes—Hike #5,” earlier).
▲▲▲
Rainy-Day Options
If the weather disagrees with your plans, stay cool and check out the following options,
which are both included in one €6 ticket (€1 off with Chamonix Guest Card). Although
neither offers a word of English, the exhibits are fairly straightforward.
Alpine Museum (Musée Alpin)
Situated in one of Chamonix's oldest “palaces,” this place has good exhibits about
Chamonix's evolution from a farming area to one focused on skiing. The museum shows
off Chamonix's mountaineering, skiing, and mineralogical history (explanations in French
only) and has exhibits on the first Winter Olympics, held right here.
Cost and Hours: €5,includes Espace Tairraz, daily14:00-18:00plus10:00-13:00in
summer, 89 Avenue Michel Croz, tel. 04 50 53 25 93.
Espace Tairraz
This fascinating collection features crystals from the region in every color, shape, and size
as well as an exhibit on the life of a mountain climber. My kids loved it. Pick up the basic
brochure in English for some background.
Cost and Hours: €5, includes Alpine Museum, daily 14:00-19:00 plus 10:00-12:00
in summer.
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