Site update!
chaletlaforet June 18th, 2011
I’m just putting this site back together on a new domain. Please be patient – it will be back soon! Thanks, Martha
Climbing
chaletlaforet June 18th, 2011
The Dru from the Buvette des Mottets, on the way up to Montenvers from Les Praz
If looking at the soaring peaks surrounding Les Praz gives you a thirst to climb, there is no better place in the world than Chamonix.
The lake at Les Praz de Chamonix
chaletlaforet June 18th, 2011
Les Praz lake
Near the centre of the village, you’ll find this tranquil lake – a beautiful place to admire the reflection of Mont Blanc. It’s surrounded by quiet back roads, which are good places for a relaxing stroll, and perfect with pushchairs.
La Prairie
chaletlaforet June 18th, 2011
Surely the prettiest setting of any cafe in on the Chamonix Valley floor, the Prairie has been run by the same family for four generations. Set up by a 19th century mountain guide who climbed Mont Blanc 99 times from the front door of the hotel on foot (before the days of lifts), it still offers a warm welcome in simple, traditional rooms, home-made kir and other cordials, crepes, teas and light meals. A wonderful place to take a break from a walk, have a light lunch or an early evening drink, watching the light change on Mont Blanc as you sit under the pergola….
Hôtel La Prairie
53, Chemin Lavousse
74400 Chamonix Mont Blanc, France
+33 4 50 53 19 96
Hotel Prairie
Maps
chaletlaforet June 18th, 2011
A tranquil spot just five minutes from the cosmopolitan centre of Chamonix, Les Praz de Chamonix is a beautiful Alpine village. Ringed with woods and mountains, it’s home to the Flegere lift, giving access to some of the most spectacular walking in Europe. The Chamonix golf course, also in the village, provides a world class eighteen hole course with magnificent views.
It’s one of the sunniest parts of Chamonix, and is a deservedly popular place to stay or just enjoy. Take a look around with the photos, or find what you’re looking for – there’s information on transport, restaurants, things to do and more. If there’s something you think should be added, please do get in touch!
Piste map for Flegere and Brevent – click for larger version.
Google map of Les Praz de Chamonix – choose a marker for more information.
‘Chamonix’ generally refers to not just the town of Chamonix itself, but also a string of villages which stretch along the bottom of the Chamonix Valley, to the north-east and southwest of the main town.
The principal villages (heading north-east up the valley towards Switzerland) are Servoz, Les Houches, Les Bossons, Chamonix, Les Praz, Les Bois, Les Tines, Le Lavancher, Argentiere, Le Planet, Le Tour and Vallorcine. The ski lifts are distributed throughout this area as shown below. Flegere and Brevent are linked, as are Le Tour and Vallorcine.
Les Praz is right in the heart of the valley, about 5 minutes drive or 20 minutes walk from Chamonix – there are lots of pleasant walks or quiet cycle tracks into central Chamonix.
Weather
chaletlaforet June 18th, 2011
One of the reasons that Les Praz is so popular is that it’s one of the sunniest parts of Chamonix to stay. The Chamonix valley widens as it runs North-East towards the Swiss border, and Les Praz is in the flat valley bottom. Even when the days are short, there’s always some sunshine here. For more details about the best time to visit, see our When to Go page for photos of the valley in all four seasons.
Being so close to Mont Blanc, the weather, as with any mountain region, can vary wildly. Once you are here, the local weather forecast is very good.
Clouds around the Dru
The most usual weather pattern is fine, bright mornings that cloud over in the afternoon. Temperature inversions are frequent, so you’ll often find it warmer on the heights than in the valley. These can also bring mists, so it’s worth checking the webcams on foggy mornings – you may find it’s a fine day on the mountain!
Another local weather phenomenon is the föhn (or foehn) wind – a warm breeze that blows from the mountain.
Webcams:
Current webcam image of Chamonix from the top of Brevent, provided by kind permission of Chamonet:
Chamonet also have a page of webcams, so you can check conditions all over Chamonix.
Paradis des Praz
chaletlaforet June 18th, 2011
This is a great find for younger children and their parents – a lovely shady pool under the pines, with pony rides, rope swings, log bridges and forts. There’s a little kiosk cafe – a buvette – with crepes etc, and barbecues in summer. In winter there’s snow tubing for the kids, and vin chaud for adults. They can also arrange birthday parties.
Les Rhododendrons
chaletlaforet June 18th, 2011
Apres at Les Rhododendrons
A super location on the central green of Les Praz, next to the Flegere lift with a view of the church and Mont Blanc. The terrace is a lovely place to watch the sunset on Mont Blanc with a drink. The hotel is very traditionally French with some rather peculiar decor in some of the rooms, but it’s inexpensive and quiet. The views are lovely, especially if you can get one with a balcony at the front.
The restaurant, like the hotel, is very traditionally Savoyarde and is a good place for a fondue. They also do an excellent trout meuniere. It’s especially nice on summer evenings when you can eat outside on the terrace lit with torches. Ideal for families in summer, as there’s a play area for children, and plenty of room for them to run about on the green.