Chamonix area 6 days

Zermatt would be 4 to 4.5 hours in each direction, so that is not a daytrip. We visited Chateua de Chillon from Chamonix, on a rainy day when we didni't feel like hiking. That trip is just over 2 hours each way. The ride is scenic, so it was very enjoyable. You could even make a stop at the St. Bernard Museum and kennels neear Martigny. http://www.museesaintbernard.ch/

Hi Andrew, there are a lot of great hiking in the area-if the weather is good. We were there 4 years ago in Sept. and it was so foggy that you couldn't even see the tops of the mountains and all the ski lifts were closed because visibility was so bad. It was like that for our entire stay. We kept hoping it would lift but it never did. As far as day trips go-I think you can do a day trip to the wonderful town of Annecy. Look it up- it's a beautiful town situated on the clearest lake that I have ever seen. I hope you have great weather!

In addition to great hiking in the area, we rented bikes in town and rode for a couple hours through small villages and along a creek. It was very enjoyable.

Chamonix has a lovely village, museum, cafes and hiking. The trams can take you up and over to Aosta Italy then you can bus it back.You can take a scenic train over to Martigny (only St Bernard Museum), nothing much otherwise in this town unless Tour de France is going thru. You can rent bikes and go out in countryside and train it back. You could take photos day and night it is beautiful.

I strongly second the suggestion of Annecy. It is really great. We travelled by train from Annecy to Chamonix last year. I would recommend a stay of a few days. we rented bikes there and had an incredible ride along the beautiful lake on a paved trail with no cars that extended for miles into the country side and had coffee at a place along the trail. do some research on Annecy and check out some pictures of it on tripadisor.com. also it is near Geneva so you could consider Geneva as an airport to use. good luck.

also, when in chamonix you can take a bus over to courmayeur Italy. it is really nice and you could get a taste of Italy on your trip to france. good luck

also, when in chamonix you can take a bus over to courmayeur Italy. it is really nice and you could get a taste of Italy on your trip to france. good luck

The agui du midi is 1 of the GREAT alpine experiences of Europe! Evertything Rick talks about in his guidebook re: the experience, is spot on. You'll feel like you're gliding in the clouds, with nothing short of breathtaking views of Mt Blanc and the surroundig alps. And you can cross into Italy (Arosa) on the other side; Rick details this clearly and his suggested itinerary is spot-on. I agree w/ Lola above; Zermatt IS spectacular, but it is around 4.5-5 hrs away, so if you have the time, great, but if you want to focus on Chamonix and its immediate surrounding area, than there is a TON to do and see, including some of the best hiking in Europe. Are you flying into Geneva (much closer to Chamonix than Paris)? If so, you could also spend a night or 2 in that pretty, charming and very sophisticated Swiss city. Have a fantastic time.

We were recently in Chamonix-mainly to do the Aiguille du Midi. There is a train ride to a glacier that is worth the trip and this ticket can be combined with ADM for a good price. Hiking along the Aarve River is nice. Six days would be way too many for me-it is an expensive town-especially meals. For example: two omelets and one salad shared and two glasses of house wine were 60 euros. Our lunches came from the grocery markets. The Matterhorn is not easy to get to but worth it if the weather is good. Zermatt is a nice little town but we were there in May and it was too early in the season to be crowded.

Thanks to all of you for interesting ideas. I am looking forward to my trip.