Today, Chamonix is one of the world's top tourist destinations, with 5 million visitors a year. Find out how this commune in the Alps became the capital of mountaineering and why it is so popular. Zoom in on the history of Chamonix Mont-Blanc.
History of Chamonix Mont-Blanc: discovering the Valley and the Mer de Glace
It was 1741 when two Englishmen, Richard Windham and William Pococke, discovered the Chamonix Valley. At the time, it consisted of a rural, mountain population living mainly on livestock and meagre crops of rye and oats, and a monastery. They explore the Valley and visit the Mer de Glace. The publication of their spectacular account in European literary journals gave rise to a veritable craze for Chamonix. The "glacières de Chamouny" travel craze was launched!
In 1783, the visit of a number of famous travellers, including the Swiss naturalist Saussure, also helped to raise Chamonix's profile. For the record, Saussure issued a challenge to anyone brave enough to climb Mont Blanc. Almost 26 years later, Chamonix crystal-maker Jacques Balmat and village doctor Dr. Michel-Gabriel Paccard set off on the first ascent. Numerous first ascents followed in the second half of the 19th century, including those by Chamonix guides Michel Croz and Michel Payot.
Other personalities also contributed to Chamonix's renown: the scientist Pasteur, writers George Sand, Victor Hugo, Goethe, Théophile Gautier, Chateaubriand... Not forgetting political figures such as Napoleon III. In 1860, Savoie became French. He visited his new province and walked on the Mer de Glace.
The boom in tourism: hotels, guides, facilities...
First, there was the first luxury hotel (Hôtel de l'Union). Erected in 1816, it paved the way for other buildings: the Couronne, the Royal, etc. Then, in 1821, the Compagnie des Guides , the first of its kind in the world, was created to guide visitors. Until the end of the 19th century, the guides were Chamonix's most important economic force. At the beginning of the 20th century, hoteliers took over, with the construction of numerous establishments.
Chamonix Mont-Blanc's history is also linked to its tourism facilities. In July 1901, the resort inaugurated its railroad to open up the town in winter. There are also :
- the Montenvers railway (1908), which allows you to admire the Mer de Glace effortlessly.
- the Glacier cable car in 1924.
- the Aiguille du Midi cable car in 1955.
More recently, theopening of the Mont-Blanc Tunnel in 1965 has boosted tourism. Chamonix has a year-round population of 10,000, an additional 30,000 in winter and 60,000 in summer.
Chamonix's sporting history
It's impossible to talk about Chamonix's history without mentioning its sporting heritage. The first pair of skis arrived in the Chamonix Valley in 1893. The equipment was introduced by Doctor Payot, who used skis to visit his patients.
But it wasn't until 1924, with the first Winter Olympics, that the city was finally crowned. Already the capital of mountaineering, the town was chosen for its lead in terms of facilities (hotel, infrastructure, etc.). Since then, Chamonix has hosted numerous world sporting events, including the Kandahar Ski World Cup, the Mont-Blanc Marathon and the Freeride World Tours.