About Chamonix les Praz

The village of Les Praz de Chamonix is perched on a hillside in the French Alps at an elevation of 3,477 feet. It is one of sixteen villages in the Chamonix commune, which is located in the Haute-Savoie Department in south-eastern France's Rhone Alps Region. The Les Praz village lies in the middle of the Chamonix valley and is surrounded by mountains on three sides. Visitors will marvel at Mont Blanc - the highest European mountain west of Russia - to the south, the Aiguille du Dru to the east and the magnificent Aiguilles Rouges range to the west. The village is not totally isolated, however, and both the Col des Montets and the Col de la Forclaz passes connect it to Switzerland.

Show sights

A cable car soars from Les Praz to La Flegere, where visitors can get down to some serious skiing at the off-piste areas after choosing their favourite skis at the Les Praz ski hire facilities. La Flegere, with its superb views of Mont Blanc, the Valley Blanche and the Grandes Jorasses, is one of the six ski and ski hire areas comprising the Chamonix Mont Blanc Ski Resort and lies just above Les Praz. Snowboarding is also a favourite at Les Praz and, in summer, visitors can choose between mountain biking and hiking. For a change of pace, visit the Les Praz chapel which, with the awe-inspiring Aiguille du Dru in the background, is one of the best photo opportunities in France. And be sure to visit the Rene Robert Photo Gallery to see more stunning photographs.

Show destinations

When you are ready to take a break from skiing and ski hire in Les Praz, there is much to see and do in Chamonix. Highlights include the informative Alpine Museum and the Aiguille du Midi Cable car, which is not only one of the highest ever cable cars but which also boasts a 3km stretch that is the longest cable car ride without supporting pillars in the world. The best way to appreciate the stunning mountain scenery is by taking the Montenvers Train up to the Mer de Glace Glacier and, when you come down, why not visits Chamonix's famous statues of Alpine personalities Gabriel Paccard and Horace de Saussure. But the most important thing to do in Chamonix is ski, and with the amazing ski hire opportunities at your disposal in Les Praz, you will be able to do so to your heart's content.