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Chamonix

Coordinates:45°55′23″N6°52′11″E/ 45.9231°N 6.8697°E/45.9231; 6.8697
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Chamonix
Chamôni(Arpitan)
Commune
The Chamonix Valley seen in 2010 from La Flégère with Mont Blanc in the background
The Chamonix Valley seen in 2010 from La Flégère withMont Blancin the background
Coat of arms of Chamonix
Coat of arms
Location of Chamonix
Map
Chamonix is located in France
Chamonix
Chamonix
Chamonix is located in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Chamonix
Chamonix
Coordinates:45°55′23″N6°52′11″E/ 45.9231°N 6.8697°E/45.9231; 6.8697
CountryFrance
RegionAuvergne-Rhône-Alpes
DepartmentHaute-Savoie
ArrondissementBonneville
CantonLe Mont-Blanc
IntercommunalityCC de la Vallée de Chamonix-Mont-Blanc
Government
• Mayor(2020–2026)Éric Fournier[1]
Area
1
245.46 km2(94.77 sq mi)
Population
(2021)[2]
8,642
• Density35/km2(91/sq mi)
DemonymChamoniards
Time zoneUTC+01:00(CET)
• Summer (DST)UTC+02:00(CEST)
INSEE/Postal code
74056/74400
Elevation995–4,807 m (3,264–15,771 ft)
(avg. 1,035 m or 3,396 ft)
Websitechamonix.fr
1French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2(0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc(French pronunciation:[ʃamɔnimɔ̃blɑ̃];Arpitan:Chamôni-Mont-Blanc), more commonly known simply asChamonix(Chamôni),[a][b]is acommunein theHaute-Savoiedepartmentin theAuvergne-Rhône-Alpesregionin SoutheasternFrance.It was the site of the firstWinter Olympics,held in1924.

Chamonix is situated in theFrench Alpsjust north ofMont Blanc,the highest mountain in Western Europe. Between the peaks of theAiguilles Rougesand the notableAiguille du Midi,it borders bothSwitzerlandandItaly.It is one of the oldest ski resorts in France, popular with alpinists and mountain enthusiasts. Viathe cable carlift to the Aiguille du Midi it is possible to access the off-piste (backcountry) ski run of the Vallée Blanche (White Valley).

Name[edit]

The name Campum munitum, meaning fortified plain or field, had been used as early as 1091. By 1283 the name had been abbreviated to a similar form to the modern Chamonis. Other forms through the ages include Chamouny in 1581, Chamony in 1652, Chamouni in 1786, and the particular spelling Chamonix from 1793.

Status[edit]

Chamonix is the fourth-largest commune inmetropolitan France,with an area of 245 km2(95 sq mi). Its population of around 8,900 ranks 1,089th within the country of France.[6]

History[edit]

Horace Bénédict de Saussure,withJacques Balmat(left) who points towards the summit ofMont Blanc,Monument at Chamonix.

The valley was first mentioned in 1091, when it was granted by the Count of theGenevoisto the greatBenedictinehouse ofSt. Michel de la Cluse,nearTurin,which by the early 13th century had established a priory there.[7]However, in 1786 the inhabitants bought their freedom from the canons ofSallanches,to whom the priory had been transferred in 1519.[citation needed]

In 1530, the inhabitants obtained from the Count of the Genevois the privilege of holding two fairs a year, while the valley was often visited by the civil officials and by the bishops ofGeneva(first recorded visit in 1411, while St.Francis de Salescame there in 1606).[citation needed]But travellers for pleasure were very rare.

Chamonix was part of the historical land of Savoy emerged as the feudal territory of theHouse of Savoyduring the 11th to 14th centuries. The historical territory is shared between the modern countries of France, Italy and Switzerland. The House of Savoy became the longest surviving royal house in Europe. It ruled the County of Savoy to 1416 and then the Duchy of Savoy from 1416 to 1860.[citation needed]

The first party to publish (1744) an account of their visit was that ofRichard Pococke,William Windhamand others, such as the Englishmen who visited theMer de Glacein 1741. In 1742 came P. Martel and several other Genevese, in 1760Horace Bénédict de Saussure,[7]as well as rather laterMarc-Théodore Bourrit.

The growth of tourism in the early 19th century led to the formation of theCompagnie des Guides de Chamonixin 1821, to regulate access to the mountain slopes (which were communally or co-operatively owned), and this association held a monopoly of guiding from the town until it was broken by French government action in 1892; thereafter guides were required to hold a diploma issued by a commission dominated by civil servants and members of theFrench Alpine Clubrather than local residents.[citation needed]

From the late 19th century on, tourist development was dominated by national and international initiatives rather than local entrepreneurs, though the local community was increasingly dependent upon and active in the tourist industry.[citation needed]

The commune successfully lobbied to change its name from Chamonix to Chamonix-Mont-Blanc in 1916.[citation needed]However, following the loss of its monopoly, theCompagniereformed as an association of local guides, and retained an important role in local society; it provided the services of afriendly societyto its members, and in the 20th century many of them were noted mountaineers and popularisers of mountain tourism, notably the novelist Roger Frison-Roche, the first member of theCompagnienot to be born in Chamonix.

Chamonix Valley: crossing the glacier on foot (between 1902 and 1904)

Serving as the host city for the firstWinter Olympic Gamesin1924further raised Chamonix's profile as an international tourist destination.

Duringthe Second World War,a Children's Home operated in Chamonix, in which several dozens of Jewish children were hidden from the Nazis. Some of those who hid them were recognised as "Righteous Among the Nations".[8]

By the 1960s, agriculture had been reduced to a marginal activity, while the number of tourist beds available rose to around 60,000 by the end of the 20th century, with about 5 million visitors a year.[citation needed]

Geography[edit]

Settlements[edit]

The commune of Chamonix-Mont-Blanc includes 16 villages and hamlets. From north to south: Le Tour 1,462 m (4,797 ft),[9]Montroc, Le Planet,Argentière1,252 m (4,108 ft),[9]Les Chosalets, Le Lavancher, Les Tines, Les Bois,Les-Praz-de-Chamonix1,060 m (3,478 ft),[9]Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, Les Pècles, Les Mouilles, Les Barrats, Les Pélerins, Les Gaillands, and Les Bossons 1,012 m (3,320 ft).[9]

Climate[edit]

Due to its elevation, Chamonix has ahumid continental climate(Dfb,according to theKöppen climate classification),with an average annual precipitation of 1,280 mm (50 in). Summers are mild and winters are cold andsnowy.

Climate data for Chamonix, elevation: 1,042 m (3,419 ft), 1981–2010 normals, extremes 1880–present
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 15.3
(59.5) 		19.6
(67.3) 		22.1
(71.8) 		26.4
(79.5) 		31.7
(89.1) 		36.4
(97.5) 		37.2
(99.0) 		36.0
(96.8) 		31.1
(88.0) 		26.0
(78.8) 		22.3
(72.1) 		16.5
(61.7) 		37.2
(99.0)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 2.7
(36.9) 		5.0
(41.0) 		8.9
(48.0) 		12.7
(54.9) 		17.6
(63.7) 		21.2
(70.2) 		23.9
(75.0) 		23.1
(73.6) 		19.1
(66.4) 		14.7
(58.5) 		7.4
(45.3) 		2.6
(36.7) 		13.3
(55.9)
Daily mean °C (°F) −2.2
(28.0) 		−0.7
(30.7) 		3.0
(37.4) 		6.6
(43.9) 		11.2
(52.2) 		14.3
(57.7) 		16.5
(61.7) 		15.9
(60.6) 		12.5
(54.5) 		8.6
(47.5) 		2.7
(36.9) 		−1.6
(29.1) 		7.3
(45.1)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −7.1
(19.2) 		−6.3
(20.7) 		−3.0
(26.6) 		0.4
(32.7) 		4.8
(40.6) 		7.5
(45.5) 		9.1
(48.4) 		8.7
(47.7) 		6.0
(42.8) 		2.5
(36.5) 		−2.1
(28.2) 		−5.7
(21.7) 		1.3
(34.3)
Record low °C (°F) −31.0
(−23.8) 		−25.0
(−13.0) 		−23.2
(−9.8) 		−15.0
(5.0) 		−6.0
(21.2) 		−3.6
(25.5) 		−1.8
(28.8) 		−1.7
(28.9) 		−3.5
(25.7) 		−13.0
(8.6) 		−22.0
(−7.6) 		−25.0
(−13.0) 		−31.0
(−23.8)
Averageprecipitationmm (inches) 93.9
(3.70) 		83.8
(3.30) 		86.6
(3.41) 		89.0
(3.50) 		121.4
(4.78) 		130.4
(5.13) 		119.0
(4.69) 		125.9
(4.96) 		103.6
(4.08) 		116.8
(4.60) 		100.7
(3.96) 		109.8
(4.32) 		1,280.9
(50.43)
Average precipitation days(≥ 1.0 mm) 9.7 8.4 9.8 10.1 13.6 12.6 11.8 12.1 9.9 10.1 9.6 10.6 128.3
Source:Meteo France[10]

Demographics[edit]

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
17931,830—
18001,925+0.73%
18061,949+0.21%
18212,232+0.91%
18362,528+0.83%
18462,304−0.92%
18562,308+0.02%
18612,304−0.03%
18662,415+0.95%
18722,455+0.27%
18762,406−0.50%
18812,420+0.12%
18862,450+0.25%
18912,447−0.02%
18962,435−0.10%
19012,729+2.31%
19063,482+4.99%
YearPop.±% p.a.
19113,109−2.24%
19213,040−0.22%
19263,811+4.62%
19314,446+3.13%
19364,633+0.83%
19465,883+2.42%
19545,699−0.40%
19627,213+2.99%
19687,745+1.19%
19758,393+1.15%
19828,746+0.59%
19909,701+1.30%
19999,830+0.15%
20099,054−0.82%
20148,997−0.13%
20208,644−0.66%
Source: EHESS[11]and INSEE[12]

Mountain and winter sports[edit]

Chamonix is awinter sportsresort town that still attracts skiers ready to test themselves both on the pistes in the official area and against the challenges of the backcountry skiing.[13]As the highest European mountain west of Russia,[14]Mont Blanc attractsmountain climbers.TheUltra-Trail du Mont-Blanchas been held every August since 2003.

There is acable carup to the 3,842 m (12,605 ft)Aiguille du Midi.Constructed in 1955, it was then the highest cable car in the world[15]and remains the highest vertical ascent cable car in the world.[16]

Chamonix is divided into three separate ski areas (Les Grands Montets, Brévent - Flégère, le domaine de Balme) which run along the valley from Le Tour down to Les Houches.[17]In addition to the 1924 Winter Olympic Games, the town hosts a round of theFIS Alpine Ski World Cupand theArlberg-Kandahar.It previously hosted theFIS Nordic World Ski Championships 1937and the 1984 and 1988Biathlon World Championshipsfor women.

The1930 Ice Hockey World Championshipswas mostly held at Chamonix. The town also hosted theEuropean Curling Championshipsin 1991 and 1999.

Transportation[edit]

Roads[edit]

The town of Chamonix is served by FrenchRoute Nationale205 (RN 205), nicknamed theRoute blanche,[18]or "white route", due to its snowiness. This is an extension of Frenchautoroute40 (A40), similarly nicknamed theautoroute blanche,which ends at Le Fayet, a village in the commune ofSaint-Gervais-les-Bains.[19]The 11.6-kmMont Blanc Tunnel,which opened in 1965, links Chamonix toCourmayeurin Italy.[20]Chamonix is linked to Switzerland by what used to be RN 506a. In 2006, it was converted to aRoute Départementale1506, with a part of it integrated into RN 205. The nearest airport to Chamonix is Geneva Cointrin International and it is 88 kilometres (55 miles) away.[citation needed]

Rail[edit]

Front and façade of theChamonix - Mont-Blancrailway station.

Chamonix is served by themetre-gaugeSt Gervais-Vallorcine Line,operated bySNCF.The line from Saint Gervais (on thestandard-gaugerail network) to Chamonix opened in 1901; it was extended to Vallorcine in 1908. The line holds the record for the steepest gradient on any standard (adhesion) railway. There are 10 stations on this line within the commune of Chamonix:Montroc-le-Planet,Argentière,La Joux,Les Tines,Les Praz-de-Chamonix,Chamonix-Mont-Blanc,Chamonix-Aiguille-du-Midi,Les Moussoux,Les PélerinsandLes Bossons.

From Vallorcine, the rail route continues over the border into Switzerland, meeting theSBBnetwork atMartigny.This latter section, a metre-gaugecog railway,is operated by Transports de Martigny et Régions SA. The train service from Vallorcine to Martigny is known as theMont Blanc Express.Timetables on the St Gervais-Vallorcine and Vallorcine-Martigny sections are synchronized.[21]

The 5.1-kmMontenvers Railwayis acog railwaythat provides access to the tourist site of Montenvers. Opened in 1909, its rail station was built next to SNCF'sChamonix stationon the St Gervais-Vallorcine Line. In fact the two stations are directly linked.[22]Montenvers provides further tourist access to middle and high mountain areas.[23]

Cable cars[edit]

Chamonix has one of the highest cable cars in the world, which links the town to the summit of the Aiguille du Midi at 3842 m.[24]It is based on an older system built in 1920, rebuilt in the first half of the 1950s over five summer seasons,[25]fully modernized in 1979, and upgraded again in 2008. On the other side of the valley, another cable car links Chamonix to the viewpoint of Planpraz. A second line links Planpraz to the summit of Le Brévent at 2525 meters.[26][27]Many other cable cars exist in the valley, and are heavily used by skiers and residents. The Plan Joran chairlift at the base of Les Grands Montets is due to be replaced by a 10-person gondola for the Winter 2014/15 season.[28]

Sister cities[edit]

See also:List of twin towns and sister cities in France

Chamonix istwinnedwith:

Notable people[edit]

See also[edit]

Panorama of the Chamonix Valley

Notes[edit]

  1. ^English pronunciation:UK:/ˈʃæməni,-mɒni/SHAM-ə-nee, -⁠on-ee,[3][4]US:/ˌʃɑːmoʊˈniː/SHAH-moh-NEE.[5]
  2. ^Formerly spelledChamounix.

References[edit]

  1. ^"Répertoire national des élus: les maires"(in French). data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises. 13 September 2022.
  2. ^"Populations légales 2021"(in French).The National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies.28 December 2023.
  3. ^"Chamonix".Collins English Dictionary.HarperCollins.Retrieved18 August2019.
  4. ^"Chamonix".LexicoUK English Dictionary.Oxford University Press.Archived fromthe originalon 2020-03-22.
  5. ^"Chamonix".Merriam-Webster Dictionary.Retrieved18 August2019.
  6. ^Sources des données:INSEE–Chamonix: Données générales
  7. ^abThe Development of the Appreciation of Mountain Scenery in Modern Times, Walter Woodburn Hyde, Geographical Review, Vol. 3, No. 2 (February 1917), pp. 107–118
  8. ^the Children's Home in Chamonix,atYad Vashemwebsite
  9. ^abcd"Chamonix Valley Website".Archived fromthe originalon 2010-01-03.Retrieved2010-02-10.
  10. ^ "Chamonix (74)"(PDF).Fiche Climatologique: Statistiques 1981–2010 et records(in French). Meteo France.Retrieved14 February2019.
  11. ^Des villages de Cassini aux communes d'aujourd'hui:Commune data sheet Chamonix,EHESS(in French).
  12. ^Population en historique depuis 1968,INSEE
  13. ^"Ski Chamonix".Ski Resorts.23 May 2022.Retrieved13 August2022.
  14. ^"Chamonix Resort Information".Freedom Snowsports.Retrieved30 July2018.
  15. ^"Chamonix, Capitale Mondiale De L'alpinisme".Summit Post.6 April 2008. Archived fromthe originalon 13 April 2015.Retrieved30 May2016.
  16. ^Berne, Laurent (2012).L'aventure du premier téléphérique de France: Chronique du premier téléphérique de l'Aiguille du Midi, dit "des Glaciers", à Chamonix-Mont-Blanc.Éditions des Rochers.ISBN9782746641556.Retrieved14 June2017.
  17. ^Chamonix ski resort guide
  18. ^Le Comité de préservation du village des Houches –Dossier publié le 12/05/2004[permanent dead link](PDF)
  19. ^Site de l'association de défense des usagers de l'A40 et de l'A41 –Revue de presse
  20. ^"Chamonix Valley Website".Archived fromthe originalon 2008-11-14.Retrieved2010-02-10.
  21. ^"Mont Blanc Express timetables for 2010"(PDF).Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 2011-07-07.Retrieved2010-02-10.[in French]
  22. ^Site de Christophe Jacquet spécialisé surles trains du Mont-Blanc
  23. ^"Montenvers Mer De Glace".Compagnie du Montblanc.Archived fromthe originalon 2 April 2016.Retrieved30 May2016.
  24. ^Site de l'Aiguille du Midi –Histoire du téléphériqueArchivedJuly 24, 2009, at theWayback Machine
  25. ^Cable Way to the Top of the Alps.Popular Mechanics,April 1956, pp. 81-84.
  26. ^"Map of the Brévent-Flégère area".Archived from the original on 2010-05-27.Retrieved2010-02-10.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  27. ^"Summer timetables for Chamonix gondolas and funicular railways".Archived fromthe originalon 2010-02-11.Retrieved2010-02-10.
  28. ^New for Winter 2014/15 -http:// skicollection.co.uk/Ski/Chamonix.htm
  29. ^"Aspen's Sister Cities | Aspen CO Chamber".aspenchamber.org.Retrieved2018-12-11.
  30. ^"International Exchange".List of Affiliation Partners within Prefectures.Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR). Archived fromthe originalon 5 February 2016.Retrieved21 November2015.

External links[edit]

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