Parking in the centre of town can be notoriously difficult, particularly Chamonix Sud, but remember when the weather is bad, the going can be treacherous and you will need snow-tyres and/or chains.
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There are 3800 car parking spaces in Chamonix, but the ease of parking varies considerably during low and high season. There are a number of free outdoor car parks available in resort (click here for town map), namely Les Planards (H20), L'Allée Recteur (E18), Rue Helbronner (G19), Route du Bouchet (by running track) (F21),Route des Pelerins. Remember that in these car parks you may need to move your car after a snowfall to allow snow-clearing operations. Some of the outdoor car parks are closed on Saturday mornings (Place Poilu, map ref: F20) to facilitate the local market stalls. Cars parked in these areas will be towed away by the local authorities. Parking is generally free on the streets except in the centre of town where there are meters (and police municipal!) operating.
Chamonix has three covered car parks offering approximately 720 covered car parking places:
- Parking Saint-Michel (Map) - 611 Allée du Recteur Payot – 330 places. Gives convenient access to the town centre, Tourist Office, Espace Tiarraz, ski school meeting place and the Maison de la Montagne.
- Parking Place du Mont Blanc (Map) – Ave du Mont Blanc – 238 places. Convenient for the sports centre, ice rink, town centre and the Saturday market.
- Parking Entreves (Map) – Chamonix Sud - 150 places. Use for Chamonix Sud, bowling alley, bus station.
There are 2 price bands for these car parks:
8am – 8pm first hour free, 1.25hrs €1, 1.5hrs €1.50, 2hrs €1.50, 3hrs €3.50, 12 hrs €8.
8pm – 8am first hour free, 2hrs €0.50, 4hrs €1, 12 hrs €1.50
A weeks parking pass, valid at all 3 of these car parks costs €50 (€40 in Entreves) (discounted rate with carte d’hote €35 (€30)). Passes are also available for 1 month (€80), 6 months (€300) and a 6 month night pass (7pm - 9am) for €60.
There is an open air pay car park in the centre of town – L’Outa (Map ref: E19) – 62 places - which is convenient for nipping to the post office, the cinema, tourist office etc and is free for the first 30 minutes. After that, rates are as follows:
8am – 8pm 1 hr €1, 1.5 hrs €1.50, 2 hrs €2, 3 hrs €4.50, 12 hrs €12.50.
8pm – 8am 2 hrs €0.50, 4 hrs €1, 12 hrs €1.50.
For the Aiguille du Midi the best place to park is the Grépon open air car park (700 places). Parking is free here for the first 30 minutes and then: 1 hr €0.50, 2hrs €1, 3 hrs €1.50 and then €0.50 for each additional hour. You can park for 10-15hrs for €5 and 16-24hrs costs €10. Camper vans are no longer allowed to overnight in this car park. If you are travelling here with a camper van you can park up (short term) in some of the free outdoor car parks mentioned at the top. There is also a beautiful spot by Lac des Gaillands but it is not possible to hook up in any of these places. For full access to power and washing facilities, it is best to book into one of the many camp sites in the valley.