High Routes at Les Contamines

Les Contamines

The village of Les Contamines nestles in the French Alps at an altitude of 1,164 metres. The only road along the valley ends at Notre Dame de la Gorge, 2 miles beyond the village. On the east side of the valley lies the Mont Blanc massif, with its impressive glaciers. To the west lie the more rounded slopes of Mont Joly. In summer the area is very popular with walkers and the famous ‘Tour du Mont Blanc’ passes through the village.

Shops & Facilities:

On the main street you will find a good range of small shops: an ‘8 to 8’ supermarket, a bank, post office, outdoor shops, café / bars and the tourist office. Closer to the hotel (just over the road) there is a ‘superette’ (like a village shop in the UK), and a Produit Regionaux. Sports available locally include tennis, mini-golf, driving range, horse riding, cycle hire, pedalos, aerial walkways through the trees. Each week there is usually an evening concert in the church and an open-air concert in the village square starting at 9 pm

Free Day options 

Leaders will be happy to recommend options if you would like to walk independently.

There are several things to do in Chamonix: The Aiguille du Midi cable car offers spectacular views and the Montenvers tram and the Mer de Glace offers ice grottos and museums. The town centre is also pleasant and there is an interesting Alpine Museum.

St Gervais: The Tramway du Mont Blanc has a station at St Gervais. France’s highest rack-and-pinion tramway goes up to Nid d’Aigle at 2372m.

Thermal baths at Le Fayet: enjoy what is reputedly France’s 2nd best health spa

Climate:

Climate averages for Geneva: