If you’d like to explore the Alps while you’re here, Chamonix’s location on the border with Italy and Switzer­land gives a perfect oppor­tu­nity. Here’s a few of our favourite days out. You can also ask the tourist office for recomen­da­tions — they are very helpful.

Courmayeur (Italy)
Partic­u­larly good if the weather is bad in Chamonix as there is often very differ­ent weather on the other side. You can check condi­tions in Courmayeur on the webcams at www.chamonet.com

The elegant Italian town has a beauti­ful old centre with wonder­ful shops and an abundance of brilliant Italian restau­rants both on and off the pistes. Though it’s so close to Chamonix, the mountains divided them until the tunnel opened in 1972, and it’s got real Italian character.

For a luxuri­ous day out, combine it with a trip to the spa at Pré-Saint-Didier (see Spa section), just a little further on. Return toll through the tunnel is 32 euros (big reduc­tion with the MBU pass, which you must pick up at Montenvers in Chamonix before you go) or Chamonix tourist office organ­ises a weekly coach trip. Check www.atmb.com for tunnel news.

Montreux (Switzer­land)

The luxuri­ous lakeside city of Montreux is a wonder­ful place to spend a day shopping, lunch­ing, cruis­ing on the lake or just taking in the ambience of the Swiss Riviera. It’s been admired for centuries for its archi­tec­ture and stunning setting on the mountain-ringed lake. Try and make it out to the unfor­getable Château de Chillon, one of Europe’s most wonder­ful views.
www.montreux.ch

Annecy (France)

Known as the “Venice of the Alps”, Annecy is a wonder­ful old granite city with a network of canals running through it. The setting is sublime, on a lake ringed with mountains. Go boating on the lake to enjoy the views, or just stroll around the roman­tic streets of the old town, taking in the atmos­phere of a modern, living city that’s carefully preserved its stunning
archi­tec­tural heritage. The 12th century Palais de l’Isle, on the river, is one of France’s most unique and beauti­ful monuments.

Yvoire (Switzer­land)
“Explor­ing Yvoire is like stepping back six centuries. No two houses are alike, but all look freshly minted for a fairy-story film set… At the end of every alley shimmers Lake Geneva.” (The Indepen­dent, 2008)
Winter is a lovely time to explore tiny, medieval Yvoire without the crowds of summer. Wander the beauti­ful streets, lunch on fresh fish and watch the gorgeous steam­ers on the lake.…

www.yvoiretourism.com

Seven days in Chamonix for non-skiers
Day 1: Getting your bearings
Day 2: Savoyarde Gastron­omy
Day 3: Snow Safari
Day 4: Spa day and fabulous­ness
Day 5: Slow track to culture
Day 6: Explore the Alps
Day 7: Mont Blanc