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Chamonix Events - Summer
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There are heaps of events held throughout the year in Chamonix, ranging from small and quirky local festivals, to world renowned sporting events. Music festivals are also hugely popular during the summer months and provide a great excuse to make a quick trip out to the Alps. In this section, we bring you information about the major annual events in resort, and don't forget to check out our weekly what's on calender.
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| Chamonix Mont-Blanc Marathon (end of June) |
The Mont Blanc Marathon at a distance of 42kms and height differential of 2240 metres, starts in the centre of Chamonix (1035m), where there’s a steady climb to the upper valley of the Arve, progressively passing through the hamlets of ‘Les Bois’ and ‘Lavancher’ until reaching Argentière (1250m). The route then crosses the Col des Montets (1461m) in the heart of the Aiguilles Rouges game park. Following the Chemin des Diligences, the old stage-coach route, the course arrives at the hamlet of Le Buet before reaching Vallorcine (1260m) which is nestled at the bottom of a friendly valley, only a stone’s throw from Switzerland.
Heading towards the Col des Posettes (1997m) with splendid views over the Mont Blanc massif, opposite the Aiguille and the Tour glacier, the route gradually descends across the mountain passes to reach Charamillon (1850m). A steady gradient increase until the village of Le Tour (1453 m) follows before it becomes calmer along the road leading to Montroc (1382 m). After crossing the hamlets of Frasserands and Tré-le-champ the route returns back onto the historic route of the Mont-Blanc cross-country race. At the heart of the Aiguilles Rouges massif, opposite the Mount-Blanc range, the route ascends until La Flégère (1875m) where after a crossing the magnificent coomb of Charlanon (1812m), a gentle yet progressively steeper climb ensure until just before the arrival at Planpraz (2050 m) which offers further spectacular beautiful views of Mont Blanc.
The Cross du Mont Blanc is half the distance of the marathon at 21kms ad covers a height differential of 1300 metres. Starting at the centre of Chamonix town, the route runs through Argentiere, retracing the 1995 French Championships before returning on the route to Planpraz.
Mont Blanc Marathon website
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last updated 5-Oct-2007 |
| World Climbing Championships (mid July) |
Chamonix is host to the finals of the World Climbing Championships (Coupe du Monde d’Escalade). Although the competition includes a heavy European prescence, competitors come from far & wide: USA, Canada, Hong Kong and Australia.
Located in the heart of town, just outside the ice rink & sports centre, a towering climbing wall with all the trimmings of big screen, food stalls and climbing equipment stands springs up for the event. It is estimated that a crowd of around 10,000 turn up each year to watch the final event. Lively commentary is provided throughout the competition which encourages the crowds to cheer & support the competitors as they Spiderman their way to the top; it’s amazing how much tension can build watching someone suspend themselves upside-down by just their kneecaps – awesome stuff, all of this in the backdrop of the Brevant and Flegere mountains. |
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last updated 5-Oct-2007 |
| Tour de France - July |
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Every summer France is gripped by the biggest and best cycle race in Europe - Le Tour de France. The Alps have played a large part in the race over the years with the gruelling mountain climbs providing some of the most exciting spectacles of the event. The route changes slightly each year, taking in different towns and villages along the way. Even if the race doesn't pass near to where you are this summer you can guarantee that it will still be avidly watched in bars and cafés around the country with everyone joining in to cheer on the famous yellow jersey! ... see "Le Tour de France" for more |
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last updated 22-Jul-2008 |
| Fete de Guides de Chamonix (mid August) |
Each year during the middle of August the Chamonix valley celebrates the history of its mountain guides and their courageous achievements. Over a 4 day period the Guide Company (La compagnie des Guides) and the event sponsors put on a variety of attractions to raise money and awareness for the guides and to award those with outstanding achievements, as well as remembering those who lost their life on the mountain.
The main event of the Festival of the Guides of Chamonix (Fete des Guides de Chamonix) is generally started at the climbing wall at Les Gaillands, Chamonix. This is a ‘tickets only’ event held in the evening and offers live music, traditional food, games for children, fireworks and best of all, a performance on the cliff face by the local mountain guides.
The official ceremony is usually followed the proceeding day and commences with the laying of wreaths at the Chamonix cemetery. Guides in traditional costume, consisting of cords and ice axes, make a procession through the town to the church. The president of the company presents medals, blesses the tools of the mountain and announces the honorary guide of the year. There are a number of stalls present selling local fare & mountain related products. To find out the history and traditions of the mountain this event is well worth attending. You can learn more about the company of guides by going to the Maison de Montagne next to the church in Chamonix or visiting the Compagnie des Guides website.
Compagnie des Guides website
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last updated 28-Jan-2008 |
| The North Face : Ultra trail of Mont Blanc (end August) |
Over the course of three days, participants cover a total of 155kms, 3 countries, 7 valleys, 71 glaciers and 400 summits, experiencing a difference in altitude of 8500 metres. This race is a true test of endurance, a combination of pleasure/pain, highs and lows. The trail begins and ends at Chamonix but you can catch sight of the runners as they pass through Les Houches, Les Contamines, Les Chapieux, Courmayeur, La Fouly, Champex, Trient, Vallorcine and Argentiere. Each of these areas celebrates the achievement of the runners by holding a fete with concerts, barbeques and general encouragement, clapping and cheering as the runners pass by.
There is no monetary prize for being the first to complete the course as the philosophy of the trail is that everyone’s a winner – it’s a personal achievement and as such there is a wonderful sense of team spirit about the event. In 2005, the winner crossed the line in an amazing 21 hours and 6 minutes. For us lesser mortals, it is possible to take a similar tour of Mont Blanc over a period of 8 to 10 days, staying in mountain refuges and hopping on the odd bus if necessary! Many people come to Chamonix each year to do just that, the scenery is quite spectacular and you really do feel on top of the world.
Ultra Trail de Mont Blanc website
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last updated 5-Oct-2007 |
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