Summary
Argentiere is a compact village with just a few hundred permanent residents. In the Summer and Winter it becomes vibrant and busy with a reasonable selection of shops, bars and restaurants. A major advantage to the village of Argentiere is the Grands Montets lift which is just a short walk away. During summer there are several climbing and mountain biking hotspots surrounding the village, accessed from the Grands Montets lift or directly from the village.
The Chamonix Valley
Chamonix differs from the majority of Alpine resorts, partially because of it's dramatic-even-for-the-Alps scenery, it is the home of Mt Blanc - Europe's tallest peak, and also because it is a fully functioning town in it's own right. It is a year round destination, receiving as many visitors in summer as in winter. The static poulation is approximately 15,000. 15% English speaking, 15% Swedish speaking. During peak season the town hosts up to 45,000 visitors. Climbers, mountain bikers, hikers, skiers and snowboarders are among the many people that the Chamonix Valley pulls in, winter and summer, year on year, to discover and explore the beauty of the surrounding peaks.
History
Argentiere has been a popular destination for the period of "modern skiing" over the last 50 or so years. Previously it was popular as an alpine retreat, within a rural farming community.
When two young English aristrocrats, William Windham and Richard Pocock, discovered the Priory of 'Chamouni' in 1741, they had no idea that their visit to this small mountain village and its glaciers, would have an impact on the whole of Europe. After their discovery, wealthy tourists, in particular the English, flocked to admire the mysterious Mer de Glace and the towering mountains surrounding it. At that time local huntsmen and crystal-finders, with their knowledege of the mountains, acted as their guides and in effect started tourism in the place that would later be known as Chamonix.
The first inn opened in 1770 and marked the early development of the hotel trade and the first mountaineering exploits. The conquest of Mont-Blanc in 1786, contributed to the demystification of the summits and sealed the destiny of this mountain community. Certain dates are synonymous with the development of summer tourism : the creation of the Compagnie des Guides in 1821 and the inauguration of the Montenvers Mer de Glace cog railway in 1908.
However the major turning point in Chamonix's development was the creation of road and rail access. In 1866 under the reign of Napoleon III, the first horse-drawn coaches alighted in the village square and in 1901 the railway line between St Gervais Le Fayet and Chamonix was inaugurated. The arrival of the train much improved access to Chamonix in winter and pathed the way to winter-sports tourism.
The first Winter Olympic Games were hosted by Chamonix in 1924 and consecrated the valley as a Mecca for Winter sports, with an important number of lifts being built in the ensuing years. First were the Glacier cable cars (no longer existing) and Planpraz, followed by Brevent, the Aiguille du Midi and Flégère. Chamonix today is not only an important tourist destination, it is also a strategic link with Italy via the Mont-Blanc tunnel. The town strives to maintain a healthy balance between tourist and transport demands and the preservation of its outstanding natural environment.
Nightlife
Argentiere is home to several bars, here are a few of our favorites:
Rusticana - chilled atmosphere, great staff and good food. Known affectionately to locals as 'The Rusty'.
The Office Bar - popular apres ski venue also does "gastro" pub grub. Usually has live sport on large screen TV.
The Stone Bar - is a bar / pizza restaurant, great place for a quick bite.
It is also very easy to get into Chamonix if you would like a busier night out. Night buses run till fairly late and a taxi can take you back if you are very late.
Other Things To Do
Swimming pool, climbing wall, hiking.