Entertainment In Chamonix

Although any sort of entertainment in Chamonix can be very expensive, visitors have the option of dining at the best restaurants and drinking expensive beers at some lively pubs and bars. You will be paying more for the same service than in Geneva, yet dining on the slopes of Chamonix at altitude is hard to beat. Chamonix also has many entertainment options that the average ski resort doesnt have, including cinemas, live music and even a casino.

Eating out

There are more than a dozen full-blown restaurants in Chamonix, not to mention the numerous restaurants within the towns hotels. You will find everything from first-class local restaurants and international eateries including Chinese, Indian, Italian and Japanese to easier-on-the-pocket cafs and fast food joints. The greatest concentration of eateries is in the town centre, with Albert Ist et Milan being one of Chamonixs best; a Michelin-standard restaurant.

If you fancy dining on the slopes and have deep pockets, there are several establishments to choose from including Le 3842, which is Europes highest restaurant, residing at 3,842 meters (12,600 feet), as its name suggests. A few miles away to the northeast is the village of Argentiere, which also has some good local restaurants, yet less choice than in Chamonix.

Local cuisine

Fondue is very popular in the Alps; food is cooked on a pierrade or pierre chaude, which is a hot plate on the table, with everyone adding their selected choice to the plate. Raclette is similar and involves potatoes, melted cheese and cold cuts. Specialities include: tartiflette, potatoes and bacon with melted roblochon cheese; croute savoyarde, which is similar, but involves bread soaked in white wine, which is then baked with mushrooms or tomatoes and melted cheese; and quand meme.

Nightlife and music

Chamonix has a few options in the aprs-ski and nightlife department and is especially known for its many bars and nightclubs. Visitors, especially skiers, like to party hard in Chamonix, with the Bumble Bee and the Mill Street bar being particularly popular, while the Wild Wallabies is another popular drinking establishment. Several bars also have live music and if youre staying in Argentiere, try the Office Bar. Chamonix also has a casino for those who wish to try their luck and Geneva is only an hours drive away, offering a multitude of entertainment options including the theatre.

Shopping

Chamonix has a good supply of shops, although people dont come here especially to shop, as Geneva has that department covered. If you are after ski equipment however, there are some high-quality products on offer, while there are also numerous supermarkets and delicatessens.