We’d been to Mont Blanc, so as Chamonix is the nearest town, we decided to pop into the centre, have a wander and grab a coffee in the sunshine.
I’d been told that because it sits in the shadow of Mont Blanc, Chamonix is often colder than other resorts, but today the rays were shining onto all the old fashioned buildings and pavement cafés, and it was easy to see why Chamonix is so popular.
Loved by skiers and by mountain athletes of all types, Chamonix really became known after it hosted the very first winter Olympics in 1924. These days with the fibreglass skis and colourful lycra/gortex clothing, it is hard to imagine the basic wooden skis and suits worn by the competitors of yester-year!
16 January 1924
The town was much bigger than I’d thought at first sight, and whilst we’d planned a quick stop-off, we found ourselves wandering through the wide streets full of chic (expensive) boutiques interspersed with winter sports shops.
Perhaps the strangest sight of the day was a rather portly French chap, dressed as a Russian which his huge horse and cart. Goodness knows what sort of horse it was, but it was enormous and very solidly built, so I kept my distance!
A quick coffee for which we paid through the nose, and we were on our way again which was a shame as I felt we’d barely scratched the surface of the this lovely Alpine town. I will certainly be back...
I’d been told that because it sits in the shadow of Mont Blanc, Chamonix is often colder than other resorts, but today the rays were shining onto all the old fashioned buildings and pavement cafés, and it was easy to see why Chamonix is so popular.
Loved by skiers and by mountain athletes of all types, Chamonix really became known after it hosted the very first winter Olympics in 1924. These days with the fibreglass skis and colourful lycra/gortex clothing, it is hard to imagine the basic wooden skis and suits worn by the competitors of yester-year!
16 January 1924
The town was much bigger than I’d thought at first sight, and whilst we’d planned a quick stop-off, we found ourselves wandering through the wide streets full of chic (expensive) boutiques interspersed with winter sports shops.
Perhaps the strangest sight of the day was a rather portly French chap, dressed as a Russian which his huge horse and cart. Goodness knows what sort of horse it was, but it was enormous and very solidly built, so I kept my distance!
A quick coffee for which we paid through the nose, and we were on our way again which was a shame as I felt we’d barely scratched the surface of the this lovely Alpine town. I will certainly be back...
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