Location

Chamonix History

Chamonix was discovered in 1741 by two Englishmen, Windham and Pococke. They encountered the local Chamoniards, a rural population of mountain farmers. This community lived off animal agriculture and a sparse harvest of oats and rye. They explored the valley and walked on the Mer de Glace describing it as the “agitated frozen river”!

In 1786 Chamonix’s international popularity began to grow after two local climbers Jacques Balmat and Dr.Paccard successfully climbed the summit of Mont Blanc. Since then Chamonix has become the mecca for climbing and mountaineering with visitors arriving from all corners of the earth.  Notably the railway was opened in 1901 and the first Winter Olympics was hosted in Chamonix in 1924.

During your holiday you can visit the local museums or ride on the Petit Train in the summer time to learn more about Chamonix's history and culture.

 If you would like to see a preview of what you are likely to expect to see in chamonix view one of the many webcams on Chamonix Webcam website. Here you will find image from all the ski areas webcams of Mont Blanc and the surrounding peaks and webcam of Chamonix Town remember this for when you are inresort and you can check conditions on the mountain daily www.chamonixwebcam.com