Bath

At the foot of the behemoth that is Mont Blanc, the aptly named Chamonix-Mont_Blamc sits just inside the junction that joins France with Switerzland and Italy in the French Alps.

Many skiers come here to qualify as professional instructors and guides, as the fast cruising pistes and famous 20km Vallée Blanche glacier run really put their skills to the test. Chamonix village is charming with its traditional Belle Époque look, offering riverside cafes, interesting shops, galleries, museums, bookshops and speciality food stores. Although the area is well known for its winter sports and mountaineering, summer is also a popular time to visit, with great opportunities for hiking and cycling around the crystal waters of Lac Blanc.