Chamonix is a town in the French Alps at the foot of Mont Blanc or White Mountain. The Mont Blanc is the highest peak in Western Europe. One cannot be sure if Chamonix is more famous for the spectacular views of Mont Blanc and access to it or Mer de Glace, the glacier that moves every day, or for the top-notch skiing slopes, rumoured to be some of the best in the country and probably the world. The origin of the name Chamonix is believed to have celtic roots and means ‘rounded height.’ Theories say that given the mountain ranges surrounding this town, it might actually mean fortified area. Chamonix is approximately 680 kms away from Paris, which makes it a 1-hour flight and a 7.5-hour journey by train. This is the perfect destination for a weekend getaway from Paris or to explore the French Alps.

If it rains at Chamonix, then even the French summer turns into a freezing winter, specially for travellers from tropical countries like India. So it’s a good idea to always travel well equipped with winter wear, even in summer. If the weather is fine and supportive of your holiday, here is a list of some of the top things to do on a short trip to Chamonix beyond skiing.