Les Praz, a five minute walk from the chalet, is one of the most sought-after areas of Chamonix due to its sunny aspect, traditional village feel, and the Flegere ski lift which is based here.
It has a charming village shop where you can get fresh bread, local cheeses and saucisson, fresh fruit and vegetables, wine and other necessities (for bigger shopping expeditions, the supermarket in Chamonix will deliver your groceries to the door). There are several friendly, English speaking ski and snowboard shops, a newsagent/tabac and a post office, half a dozen restaurants ranging from cheerful pizzeria to superb French haute cuisine and a couple of bars, including a nice apres bar, for vin chaud in front of the fire and regular live acoustic music.
Les Praz is five minutes from the centre of Chamonix by car, a 10 minute bus or train ride, or a pleasant 20–30 minute stroll along the woodland paths on a quiet road.
Chapelle des Praz © OT Chamonix — Mario Colonel
In summer, some of Europe’s most spectacular mountain hikes can be started right from the door — or the Flegere lift, within a 5–10 minute stroll, can whisk you up to the start of the high alpine walks, and the new Flegere bike park with a variety of separate downhill trails. The Chamonix golf course, a short walk away, is a world class eighteen hole course with superb views. The leisure centre with its tennis courts and excellent outdoor and indoor swimming pools is about 15 minutes walk.
