Col des Montets Nature Reserve, Vallorcine

No visit to Vallorcine is complete without a trip to the Col des Montets nature reserve.

Just 4km from the village of Vallorcine, the Col des Montets is part of the Aiguilles Rouges Nature Reserve. This was created in 1972 as the first nature reserve in the Mont Blanc area.

Covering 3279 hectares and covering a range in altitude from 1200m to 2965m, spending time in the reserve will give you a real insight into nature in the mountains.

Pay attention and walk quietly and you can see marmottes, black grouse, ptarmigan, Alpine hare and even golden eagles.

The flora is equally varied with dwarf juniper and rhododendrons and beautiful Alpine flowers.

 

The Bellevue Alpine Lodge is located in the centre of Vallorcine.  We are a hotel and gite, offering B&B and half board options.  

Give us a call to check availability on +33 (0)4 50 54 60 43 or visit our website.




Article by Iain Martin

Cosmo Jazz festival comes to Vallorcine

This week the Cosmo Jazz festival is taking place in the Chamonix valley.

It started on 27 July and runs through to 04 August and sees live concerts in a number of amazing locations, including the top of the Aiguille du Midi, the Grands Montets and Lac Blanc.

On Saturday, the festival came to Vallorcine for a surprise concert.  The festival continues this week.  You can check the full schedule here.

If you are looking for accommodation in Vallorcine, then the Bellevue Alpine Lodge is an excellent choice. We are a bed and breadfast gite, very near to Chamonix, with rooms from EUR75 pn.  

Give us a call to check availability on +33 (0)4 50 54 60 43 or visit our website.



Article by Iain Martin

Chamonix Adventure Festival adds even more to a summer in the Chamonix Valley

There are so many events going on in the Chamonix valley, both in summer and winter.  We've already blogged before about the brilliant European Climbing Championships and the UTMB.

Last week the valley hosted the Chamonix Adventure Festival from 15-20 July.

The Festival brings together all people from all across the outdoors world of activity and adventure including athletes and adventurers.  It brings together photography, art and film into one place over four action-packed days.

There are also courses on photography and film-making and plenty more events going on.

If you are looking for accommodation in the Chamonix valley, then why not join us in Vallorcine.  The Bellevue Alpine Lodge is a traditional gite, just 20 minutes drive from Chamonix, with rooms from EUR75 pn.  

Give us a call to check availability on +33 (0)4 50 54 60 43 or visit our website.



Article by Iain Martin

Kilian Jornet sets new record on Mont Blanc

We all like a walk in the mountains.  We can even understand those who run in events like the famous UTMB and other trail running races.

To us mere mortals, a 168km mountain race sounds tough enough, but for three time winner Kilian Jornet that's just a long day out.

Last week he set a new record for the fastest ascent and descent of Mont Blanc by foot - a mere 4 hours, 57 minutes and 40 seconds.

The 25 year old Spaniard started at 0446 from the established starting point - the church in Chamonix.  It took him 3h30m to get to the top and 1h27 minutes to get back down again.

Jornet is planning more record climbs for later in the year including the Matterhorn and Everest.  We wish him luck!

If you are coming to Chamonix for your own trail running - or simply some walking - and looking for somewhere to stay, then please contact us to check availability online or by calling +33 (0)4 50 54 60 43

The Bellevue Alpine Lodge is a traditional gite style hotel situated in beautiful Vallorcine, just 20 minutes drive from Chamonix.


Article by Iain Martin

France win at the European Climbing Championships in Chamonix

Last week Chamonix hosted the European Climbing Championships as part of its 15th International Climbing Festival, so we popped along to watch some of the action.

It was an incredible atmosphere with more than 25000 people turning out at Place du Mont Blanc to cheer on the best climbers in Europe over the three days of competition.

There were several different competitions.  Russia dominated in the youth speed climbing events held first. There were also some 'Handi-Climbing' competitions, with separate categories for the blind, amputees and neurological illnesses.  This was the first European championships in this category.

The 'speed' events were incredble to watch, but even more impressive were the 'difficulty' events. Several climbers fell while clearly pushing it to the limits, but the 'ambience' when Frenchman Romain Desgranges took a very demanding route was incredible.

By then the organisers estimated that there were 16000 people in the square by the time of the final climbs!

If you are coming to Chamonix for any event and looking for a hotel, then please contact us to check availability online or by calling +33 (0)4 50 54 60 43

The Bellevue Alpine Lodge is a traditional gite style hotel situated in beautiful Vallorcine, just 20 minutes drive from Chamonix.

Article by Iain Martin

Bellevue Alpine Lodge is a perfect hotel for the UTMB

It's now less than two months until the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc - the world's leading ultra running event comes to Chamonix for its annual competition.

This 11th edition will feature 4 races, 74 countries represented and 50,000 people coming to Chamonix to watch or take part.

The operation is immense with over 2000 volunteers, 15000 way-markers, and 300km of routes.  Amongst the more bizarre facts are that 48,000 TUC crackers will be eaten, along with 7500 bananas, 2600kg of cheese and 8500 litres of soup!

The four races happen from August 26 to September 01 and start with the Petite Trotte a Leon (300km, team event) on Monday 26th August, Traces de Ducs de Savoie (119km) on Wednesday 28th August and then on Friday 30th August the CCC (100km) and the main event the UTMB (168km).

If you are coming to Chamonix for the event and looking for a hotel for the UTMB or any of the other events, then please contact us to check availability.

The Bellevue Alpine Lodge is a traditional gite style hotel situated in beautiful Vallorcine, just 20 minutes drive from Chamonix.

By Iain Martin