After an amazing hike around the Matterhorn Mountain (read here) it was time to explore another high summit in at the alps. Mont Blanc is in the french alps and the peak tops out at 4808m. And so, heading towards Chamonix-Mont-Blanc and the resort town Flaine, I spent the days searching for the best Mont Blanc view. But, it wasn’t as easy as I hoped.
As I only hiked the Matterhorn the day before, I wanted to have a less hiking day. So I was planning to look at the Mont Blanc from the Aiguille du Midi platform. The day was perfect for it!
Aiguille du Midi
From the village Chamonix, the cable car takes you to a high mountain platform at 3777m. It’s terraces offer a 360° view of all the French, Swiss and Italian Alps and a lift brings you to the summit terrace at 3,842m. From there you get a clear view of the Mont Blanc. It sounded amazing. Searching for the best Mont Blanc view wasn’t that hard after all.
Well, except I didn’t make it to the top.
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc
Clearly I wasn’t the only one thinking the day (it was Friday) was perfect for visiting Chamonix-Mont-Blanc. The town was crazy busy. It was certainly the busiest place I have been to for a while. From french locals to other European tourists, there were people everywhere. After slow traffic and finally finding a park my car, I went straight to the queue (it wasn’t actually that long) of the Aiguille du Midi cable car, just to be told that there were no more tickets left for the day. Due to the limited amount of people allowed up at one time.
Dressed in my long pants at 32 degrees heat (it was supposed to be only 4 degrees on top of the mountain), I walked the streets of Chamonix for a while before returning back to the car. I was way too hot. The village was certainly cute, but a little bit overcrowded for my liking. It was time to go to my hotel in Flaine and replan my weekend.
I guess, I will have to keep searching for the best Mont Blanc view tomorrow.
Flaine
Flaine is a little ski village but, in summer, known for its hiking and mountain biking activities. And although I have never heard of this town, it was more or less the best offer on accommodation for that weekend. I booked for two nights anyway, thinking I would drive to Chamonix-Mont-Blanc for the hikes.
I couldn’t check in until later in the day so, once arriving, I put on my shorts and went straight for the hill. Surely, on top of this hill, I would be able to get a glimpse of the Mont Blanc Mountain.
Flaine hike – day 1
It really was supposed to be a rest day for my legs but at the end I walked straight up a steep hill, following one of the cable car lines. The walk involved walking more through green fields than following a rocky mountain trail, which was different. This area was really stunning. I could picture it as a busy ski spot during winter, and now, during summer, it reminded me of the ‘Sound of Music’ movie. It was very picturesque!
I walked up his hill for over one hour, thinking I would reach the top at any time. And get a view of the Mont Blanc. But, the hills tricked me. It was a never ending hill. And so, eventually, I gave up. It was time to go back to the hotel.
Flaine hike – day 2
I had no desire to go as steep as the last few days, so I drove my car to my starting point (the Le Lac) to walk and relax at the Lake Vernant (Lac du Vernant). I even packed my swimming gear.
After reaching the lake within 30min, however, I realised I couldn’t swim in it anyway. So, what’s next? Looking ahead at the top of the mountain, surely from there I could see the Mont Blanc? The hill didn’t look too steep, did it?
Maybe a little bit. Although, overall, this hike was still the easiest of them all. And after 1 hour and 40 minutes, at a peak of 2309m, I finally found Mont Blanc.
The view was breathtaking!
Being there, on top of the Tete de Veret Peak, lunch never tasted better. What a great spot to enjoy!
My search was complete and I was happy.
My Chamonix-Mont-Blanc summary
Well, this trip didn’t quite work out as planned, but it was nevertheless awesome. Searching for the best Mont Blanc view was certainly an adventure and definitely worth it. What a stunning landscape and what a stunning view around the French Alps.
It shows however, how my travel destinations sometimes can change last minute, due to some other unplanned restrictions. But I don’t mind. And sometimes it is for the better. So, following this statement, let’s go to Italy. It is supposed to rain in the alps for 10 days at least!!
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