Campsites in the Mont Blanc region
To contemplate Europe's highest peak at your leisure, you can take advantage of more than twenty campsites in the Mont Blanc region, spread out along the Arve and Arly valleys, from Chamonix to Passy and Sallanches. They offer a variety of atmospheres, from panoramic campsites at the foot of the mountains to quieter campsites located near lakes or mountain trails.
Among them, the Les Îles*** campsite in Passy deserves a special mention. Located right next to Lake Passy, it is an ideal base for alternating between swimming, water sports and hiking in the Mont Blanc massif: access to the lake is only a few hundred metres away.
Discover the Mont Blanc region during your camping holiday
Some fifteen villages and resorts make up the geographical area of the Mont-Blanc region, which lies close to the Italian border. This alpine territory stretches from the Arve and Arly valleys to the plateaus and glaciers on the slopes of the Mont-Blanc massif.
From Chamonix to the Mer de Glace
At the foot of the Aiguille du Midi and the Aiguilles Rouges massif, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is the attractive capital of mountaineering, with the victorious ascent of the roof of Europe as early as 1786. Take the picturesque red Montenvers rack railway to the legendary Mer de Glace, which stretches for 7 km. Its shrinking size is evidence of global warming.
Once there, venture into the bowels of the glacier for a surprising experience. Once there, enter the bowels of the glacier through a cave. A dizzying cable car takes you to the summit of the magnificent Aiguille du Midi (3,842 m), which overlooks the Vallée Blanche, a favourite with skiers. In the plain below, the blue Bossons glacier is easily accessible.
Picturesque lakes and cottages
At the foot of sparkling glaciers and famous peaks, such as Les Drus or the Aiguille Verte, at the end of the Arve valley, the typical village of Argentière is close to Switzerland, accessible via the Col des Montets or through a tunnel.
From the chalets of Les Houches in the mountain pastures, go to Saint-Gervais-les-Bains. Since 1807 tourism has developed around the virtues of a thermal water that gushes out at 39 degrees, with the construction of palaces and bourgeois villas. Take the historic Mont-Blanc tramway, the highest cog railway in France, which leads to the Nid d'Aigle (2,372 m).
Between 2,000 and 2,500 metres above sea level, panoramic trails reveal a dozen mountain lakes such as Lac Blanc, Lac Cornu and Lac Vert, gorges and waterfalls, with Mont Blanc always in the background.
Flower-filled villages and Baroque abbeys
Opposite the foot of the Aiguille de Varan, the Passy plateau welcomes Nordic skiers and hikers from spring onwards. On the road to Cluses, like Chamonix, Sallanches, a large flowery and lively town in the Arve valley, is also an ideal base camp for exploring the Mont-Blanc region.
After admiring the exceptional colourful decor of the baroque church of Saint-Nicolas de Véroce (18th century), push on to the resort of Les Contamines-Montjoie, which nestles between Mont Joly and summits at an altitude of over 3,000 metres.
Passing through Domancy or the charming resorts of Cordon and Combloux, you reach Megève.
Between the Mont d'Arbois and the Aravis mountain range, grand hotels and prestigious chalets converge on the ancestral village, a mecca for winter sports since the beginning of the 20th century. But Megève, with its soothing green setting, is also teeming with sporting and cultural activities and entertainment all year round.
During your stay at one of the campsites in the Mont-Blanc region, don't forget to visit the charming sites of Servoz, Vallorcine and Praz-sur-Arly. Via the Mont Blanc Tunnel it is easy to reach Courmayeur and the Francophile Valle d'Aosta in Italy.
Music, festivals and local flavours
The mountain pastures echo with the rhythm of folk festivals and numerous music festivals, some of which take place in a dozen prestigious Baroque sanctuaries. The fresh mountain air whets the appetite: afterwards, gather around a delicious raclette or tartiflette, accompanied by Savoyard wines and cheeses.
Activities & nature around Mont Blanc
Long-distance hiking
The Mont Blanc region is an exceptional playground for hiking, with routes suitable for all levels:
- Around Chamonix: the Lacs des Chéserys / Lac Blanc trail offers spectacular views of the Aiguilles du Mont-Blanc (access from the Flégère cable car, marked routes).
- Plateau du Brévent – Planpraz: numerous panoramic paths allow you to walk along the ridges with views of the Chamonix valley.
- Les Houches to Saint-Gervais: a network of alpine trails, mountain pastures and glacial lakes for day trips.
- Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB): for the more experienced, this legendary route crosses France, Italy and Switzerland (passing close to numerous stopping points and refuges).
Must-see swimming spots
After a strenuous hike or mountain walk, there's nothing like a refreshing break: the Mont Blanc region offers several lakes and ponds where you can swim in the heart of nature, enjoy the sun and relax with family or friends.
- Lake Passy: leisure centre with a supervised beach in summer, water sports and views of the peaks.
- Lac des Îlettes in Sallanches: developed area with a grassy beach and swimming.
- Combloux biotope lake: natural swimming in a filtered pool without chemical treatment.
These swimming spots are perfect for combining with hikes, bike rides or nature breaks with family or friends. Discover the best swimming spots in Haute-Savoie.