Mountaineering is the art of scaling high mountain peaks and walls. Since 2019, the discipline has been classified as an intangible heritage by Unesco - an international distinction. And it also rewards its "stars" with the Piolet d'Or, the equivalent of the Oscar. But Chamonix remains the world's mountaineering capital. Find out why.
Chamonix: an unrivalled geographical location
Chamonix's extraordinary geographical location has earned it the nickname of "mountaineering capital of the world". Chamonix shares the title of France's highest commune with Saint-Gervais-les-Bains. And with good reason, as it boasts Europe's highest peak : Mont-Blanc, at 4810 metres. It is rightly nicknamed the " Roof of Europe".
The Mont-Blanc massif is the third most visited natural site in the world. It attracts mass tourism, with no fewer than 68.5 million overnight stays per year (source:Observatoire du Tourisme). And there are plenty of would-be climbers, some 25,000 every year. But it's important to be well prepared, and to enlist the help of a specialized guide.
The history of the world's mountaineering capital
Chamonix is the cradle of mountaineering. This is where the discipline was born. It was in 1786 that Jacques Balmat, a native of the village who was both a crystal maker and chamois hunter, accompanied by Doctor Michel Gabriel Paccard, opened the way to the summit of Mont-Blanc.
Since then, Mont-Blanc has become a symbol. It was on its slopes that the profession of guide and the first official company were born. In addition, the conquest of the main peaks (Matterhorn, Grandes Jorasses...), punctuated by tragedies, are landmarks in thehistory of mountaineering.
You can also visit the Musée Alpin. It retraces the tremendous human adventure marked by the conquest of Mont Blanc: famous first ascents, creation of the mountain guide company, etc.
Chamonix, a mountaineering mecca
For over a century, the mountaineering capital of the world has been a mecca for the sport. Chamonix is the preferred destination for mountaineering and mountain sports enthusiasts.
Today, mountaineering finds a rich source of inspiration in Chamonix. High performance continues to push the limits, sometimes to the detriment of commitment, autonomy and freedom.
But mountaineering is by no means in decline, far from it. Mont-Blanc continues to be a laboratory for the practice and evolution of the discipline. Indeed, there's a real mountaineering culture in the Valley.
Capital of mountaineering, but not only...
Beyond its status as the capital of mountaineering, Chamonix is also a popular venue for a variety of sports. The town, which hosted the 1924 Olympic Games , is a unique venue for skiing (alpine and cross-country), ski jumping, ice hockey, hiking and climbing.
There's plenty to do all year round. Discover all the summer activities in Chamonix, to enjoy on your own, with family or friends.
