Capturing the Mont Blanc Massif: The Best Photography Locations around the Chamonix Valley
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Aiguille du Midi
The Aiguille du Midi cable station. Photograph by Andrew Jones
Location: Chamonix, FranceGetting There: Take the Aiguille du Midi cable car from Chamonix town centre. The ride offers a stunning ascent to 3,842 meters, where you'll be greeted with jaw-dropping views with a 360-degree panoramic view of the Mont Blanc massif.
The sheer altitude at the top of the Midi offers unparalleled shots of the peaks, glaciers, and surrounding valleys. Whether capturing sunrise, sunset, or a starry night, every frame is majestic with possibilities in every direction for epic shots of panoramas, close ups of the peaks and the summit of Mont Blanc itself.
2. Lac Blanc
Location: Chamonix, France
Getting There: Hike from La Flégère cable car station or Col des Montets. The trek is moderately challenging but incredibly rewarding. On arrival at Lac Blanc you will find a tranquil alpine lake that mirrors the Mont Blanc massif in its crystal-clear waters. The reflection shots you can capture here are ethereal, especially during dawn and dusk when the light paints the scene in hues of pink and gold.
3. Plan de l'Aiguille
Location: Chamonix, France
Getting There: Access via the first section of the Aiguille du Midi cable car from Chamonix. Exiting the lift at the first station and a height of 2,310 meters, Plan de l'Aiguille offers a unique perspective of the Mont Blanc massif and the Chamonix Valley. The location is ideal for photographing the rugged terrain which in the winter will normally be encrusted in snow, while in summer vibrant alpine flora provides great foreground to the jagged peaks: the colours are particularly spectacular.
4. Montenvers Mer de Glace
Location: Chamonix, France
Getting There: Take the Montenvers train from Chamonix to the Mer de Glace, France's largest glacier, which provides a dramatic foreground to the towering Mont Blanc massif. The contrast of ice and rock creates a compelling composition for landscape photographers and glacier's changing shapes offer new photographic opportunities each season.
Les Drus seen from Montenvers station by Andrew Jones
5. Le Brévent
Alpine peaks seen from Le Brevant towards Vallorcine/Le Tour
Location: Chamonix, France
Getting There: Reachable via the Brévent cable car from Chamonix, Le Brévent, stands at 2,525 meters, offers one of the best vantage points for viewing the Mont Blanc massif. The unobstructed views across the valley provide ample opportunities to capture the majesty of Mont Blanc in various light conditions. It's particularly good for sunrise shots, as the first light of day bathes the massif in a golden glow, and during the day the massif is backlit when the sun is low and some interesting clouds and wind blown snow patterns can be picked out highlighted by the light.
6. Le Bettex, Saint Gervais
A personal favourite are the views from the top of Le Bettex cable car in Saint Gervais. At sunset the summit of Mont Blanc slowly disappears into shadow, leaving the summit ridge tantalisingly highlighted by the last of the light. Also from here there is a fantastic view along the ridge leading to the peak of the Aiguille de Bionnassay with Mont Blanc visible behind and in wonderful perspective, while look left and you have the whole of the Fiz mountain range
The Fiz mountains viewed from Saint Gervais Les Bains @ Le Bettex
These locations not only provide diverse and stunning photographic opportunities but also offer unique perspectives of the majestic Mont Blanc massif. So, pack your camera gear, lace up your hiking boots and have fun. Happy shooting! 📸✨.