Chamonix boasts an abundant range of shopping for all tastes with elegant boutiques, technical mountain-wear complexes and funky snowboard brands, and is close to the breath-taking town of Annecy, known as 'Venice of the Alpes', and bustling Geneva which offer all of the most popular names.

For those craving a day of pampered relaxation, treat yourself at the spa in the prestigious Albert Premier complex, or at the famed thermal baths in the picturesque nearby village of Saint Gervais.

For fitness fanatics who still have the energy and enthusiasm after a day on the slopes, we recommend the 'Centre des Sports' in the centre of town which offers a large indoor pool, sauna, gym, climbing wall and skating rink.

Saturday mornings are a perfect time for wandering through the markets and sampling some fresh local produce, seeing a film at the cinema, or visiting one of the museums and exhibitions and learning about the fascinating history of the Savoyard region.

The night life in Chamonix is a true melting pot of flavours, offering chic bars, live music venues, a bowling alley with pool hall, traditional French restaurants and cafes, and lively nightclubs where you can dance until dawn. Try MBC or Chambre Neuf for live music, BarDup for sports, L'Atelier Café for a great coffee, Bistro des Sports for a vin chaud in a real local bar, and Expedition or Goophies for a delicious cocktail.

There are a multitude of restaurants on offer, whatever your taste and budget. For something special why not sample the delicious regional fare of La Caleche or L'Atmosphere. Lastly, for an extravagant end to your evening we suggest a game of Blackjack with a glass of champagne in hand at the Casino in the centre of town.

FOOD AND DRINK

Whatever your taste, whatever your budget, Chamonix has something to tantalize your tastebuds! Bigfoot has put together a food and drink hit-list to make your restaurant and bar selection a little easier...

Top budget
L'Atmosphere, Le Monchu, Le Maison Carrier, Le Hameau Albert Premier

Middle budget
Le Bistrot, Le National in town or the La Potinière

Low budget
Le Cantina, Le Caveau or Le Cabane

Take away
Midnight Express or Poco Loco for the best burgers in town or Pizza Salsa for a great pizza

Children
Micro Brasserie Chamonix, LML, La Potinière or McDonalds

Mexican
Le Cantina

Chinese
Chez Yang

Japanese
Satsuki

Savoyard
Le Boccalatte , Le National, le Monchu

Italian
Casa Valerio or La Spiga d'Oro

Something different
Munchies

The bars and cafes here in Chamonix are a melting pot of people, music and atmospheres. You can choose to listen to live music, dance the night away to the latest club tunes, or find somewhere to snuggle up and chill out whilst drinking a glass of vin chaud and listening to some smooth jazz.

Below is a list of suggested places which is by no means exhaustive or static:

Live Music
MBC, Chambre Neuf, Elevation

Apres Ski
Le Terrace, Chambre Neuf, Bard Up

Nightclubs
Expedition, Le Garage, Le Couchas, BPM

Sport
Bard Up

French
Bistro des Sport, Lapin Agille

Café society
L'Atelier, Le Terrace

Food and drink
Goophy, MBC

ENTERTAINMENT

Don't forget there are other things to do in Chamonix other than eating and drinking...

Big Screen
The local cinema shows English films every week.

Exhibitions
There are local art exhibitions dotted about the town in the Tiarraz centre and other local venues.

Bowling
American Bowling alley based in Cham Sud.

Museum
The local alpine museum is right in the middle of town in one of the historic buildings.

Live Music
The bars offer live music and you can even find chamber music from time to time

Cyber café
Currently there are three places to get connected in town

Casino
Located in the centre of town you can spend your holiday money at an alarming rate

Nightclubs
Dicks Tea Bar, Le Garage, Le Tof should give you enough choice.

EVENTS

The Chamonix Valley hosts many events – the most famous being:

Ice car rally (January)
Kandahar Downhill race (January)
Red bull Challenge (February)