Other activity ideas

Other activity ideas:

1) The Mont-Blanc Tramway, the Mont Blanc Normal Route
2) Crystal Museum - Espace Tairraz in Chamonix
3) VerticAlp Emosson, Châtelard Amusement Park (15 minutes from Vallorcine)
Tourist attractions, particularly for children:
4) Chamonix Amusement Park - Les Planards (including sledding on rails): not to be missed with the children!
5) 35 minutes from Vallorcine: Merlet animal park (les Houches): not to be missed with the children!
6) 45 minutes from Vallorcine (towards Switzerland): Alpine Zoo and Marécottes swimming pool
7) For the brave at the top of Mont Blanc  ;)

1) The Mont-Blanc Tramway, the Mont Blanc Normal Route

The Tramway du Mont-Blanc (also known as TMB) is the highest train in France and awaits you for a wonderful journey to the foot of Mont-Blanc.This rack railway which winds from Saint-Gervais, Le Fayet, between meadows, pastures and small mountain lakes, via Les Houches to Nid D'Aigle, the starting point for mountaineers to climb Mont Blanc by route normal (Refuge du Gouter route).

In winter, the Mont-Blanc Tramway takes you, pedestrians and skiers, to the Plateau de Bellevue at 1800 m and to the Les Houches ski area for the pleasure of a beautiful mountain walk and the grandeur of a panorama dreamy and exceptional.

In summer, the Mont-Blanc Tramway takes you to Nid d'Aigle at 2,372 m. From there hikers will be able to access the Tête Rousse refuge and experienced and equipped mountaineers will be able to access the Goûter refuge for the ascent of Mont-Blanc. The views of the Bionassay Glacier and the surrounding mountains are magnificent.

Official Mont Blanc company website: here

2) Crystal Museum - Espace Tairraz in Chamonix

The Crystal Museum offers you a journey through the mineralogy of the world

Redesigned in 2021, the Crystal Museum presents a renewed scenography, dedicated to Alpine mineralogy, from France, Europe and now the World!
The exhibition begins along the Alps chain with exceptional pieces from the Alpine massifs (France, Italy, Switzerland, Austria) and more particularly from the Mont-Blanc massif. It offers one of the most beautiful sets of pink-red fluorines, smoky quartz, axinites, siderites, epidotes... of international renown. It continues around the world, starting from French mines and quarries, it takes you to discover the most emblematic pieces from five continents: azurites from Chessy-les-Mines, aquamarines from Pakistan, Peruvian pyrites, Congolese dioptases and opals. Australian…

New: The Treasure

Gold, silver, copper... Sapphires, rubies, emeralds... Topazes, aquamarines, garnets... Noble metals, precious stones and fine stones, raw or cut, await you in the Treasury of the Crystal Museum

All year round, the museum offers guided tours accompanied by a crystal maker during school holidays as well as independent games for young visitors.

Average visit duration: 1h30

Opening hours: refer to the website:
Official website of the crystal museum: here

3) VerticAlp Emosson, Châtelard Amusement Park (15 minutes from Vallorcine)

Opening at the end of May and closing mid-October

Accessible by car or train with the Mont-Blanc Express viaSt Gervais/Le Fayet - Chamonix - Chatelard - Martigny railway, from Vallorcine (20 minutes)

This installation will take you from Châtelard, a village located in the Trient valley, to the crowning of the Emosson Dam (1,965m above sea level), the second largest water reservoir in Switzerland, and to the Col de la Gueulaz , starting point for various hikes.

On site, you can take one of the many marked trails leading to the Vieux-Emosson dam or simply enjoy the landscape and a remarkable natural site.

VerticAlp Emosson operates three rail installations forming a tourist park which promises you a spectacular and unforgettable experience.

The Châtelard Funicular , the Little Panoramic Train and the Minifunic with an incredible view of the legendary Mont-Blanc.

There is also the VerticAlp Café for a moment of relaxation with areas dedicated to children.

VertiAlp Emosson amusement park official website: here

Tourist attractions, particularly for children:

4) Chamonix Amusement Park - Les Planards

Sledding on rails is a fun activity for everyone. Ideally located, near the city center of Chamonix, opposite the Montenvers Train station, therefore very easy to find.

It is an ideal place to have a good time with family, friends or a group. You will find several activities for children and adults.

Games, sled sr rails, slides, trampolines and more.In addition, you can try the electric motorcycles, the outdoor play areas, the giant swing, the splash boat, the play areas... Free parking with 800 spaces is at your disposal. You will also find many places to rest: bar-restaurants or country meals in the picnic areas.

Official website of Les Planards amusement park: here

Presentation of domaine des Planards :

5) 35 minutes from Vallorcine: Merlet animal park (les Houches)

 
An exceptional site open from the beginning of May:
Perched at an altitude of 1,500m above the Chamonix valley, the Merlet mountain pasture initially amazes with its breathtaking panorama of the Mont Blanc massif. Merlet then immerses you in its vast animal space, during an easy hike, crossing forests and sunny meadows, punctuated by its old chalets.traditional mountain traditions. The unusual proximity to its numerous animals surprises and almost makes you forget their wild character...

Official website: Merlet park: here (note reservation required)

Presentation of the park :
 

6) 45 minutes from Vallorcine (towards Switzerland): Alpine Zoo and Marécottes swimming pool

Immersed in a larch forest, you will set off to meet the inspiring Valais alpine fauna. Located at an altitude of 1100 meters in Les Marécottes, the highest zoo in Europe displays its natural beauty over 35,000 m2. A magnificent opportunity to approach bears, lynx, foxes, deer or marmots and many other representatives of the 150 species living or having lived in the Alps in the authenticity of their habitat.

Official website of the Marécottes Alpine Zoo and swimming pool: here

7) For the brave at the top of Mont Blanc  ;)

Charles from viachamonix.com
Calm, comfort, nature, ski-in/ski-out, 15 km from Chamonix, apartment rental in Vallorcine in a residence with swimming pool, sauna and hammam