Walk on air in Chamonix
As if Chamonix wasn’t already popular enough, as one of the best-loved ski locations in the world and home to Europe’s highest cable car ride at the Aiguille du Midi, visitors are now flocking to experience its newest attraction: the Skywalk.
SEE PHOTOS OF THE NEW SKYWALK EXPERIENCE HERE
Known as Pas Dans le Vide, or Step into the Void, three glass walls at 3,842 metres up create a see-through box, allowing those daring enough to feel as though they are walking on air in this awe-inspiring and spectacular space. The view is dramatic, and the views are dizzying and unforgettable say visitors. Some even go so far as to say that it is the best experience they have ever had.
The 20-minute cable car ride up towards the summit of the Aiguille du Midi – which serves up spectacular 360° panoramas of the Mont-Blanc massif – already welcomed half a million visitors each year. Landmark highlights include Mont Blanc’s peaks at 4,810 metres and Grand Combin, a 4,314-metre mountain in the western Pennine Alps of Switzerland. And, according to Chamonix’s Tourist Office, the town has over five million visitor bed nights as climbers, hikers and sports enthusiasts flock to the town all year round.
Chamonix’s newest attraction is said to be inspired by the Grand Canyon Skywalk, a horseshoe-shaped, glass-bottom structure that takes visitors past the edge of the Grand Canyon wall to stand 1,200 metres above the Colorado River. Designed by designer Pierre-Yves Chays, the Skywalk is built to endure winds of up to 200 km/h and took around three years to develop and build.
Forming part of an impressive visionary project by the Compagnie du Mont Blanc, a magic wand has been waved over the Aiguille experience. Other new additions include an alpinism-devoted museum – the highest in the world – and an ice cave on the south-facing slope of the Aile Mont Blanc. There is also a gondola lift ride over the Glacier du Géant to Pointe Helbronner, on the France-Italy border, running during the summer months.
Home Hunts has many properties available to buy in Chamonix. Just minutes on foot from the Brévent ski station, the one closest to the centre of Chamonix, this stunning five-bedroom chalet (HH-5588236) has one of the most prestigious addresses in Les Moussoux. The property was completed at the end of 2013, so it hasn’t been on the market for long, and is the last of four new builds for sale on the same complex. Highlights include an underground high ceiling garage, en-suites and balconies in each of the bedrooms and large bay windows that flood the chalet with light and offer breath-taking views of Mont Blanc. The property also has excellent rental value, and, at €3,300,000, will not be on the market for long.
On the other side of the Brévent-Flégère area, offering beautiful views of Mont Blanc and the Drus mountains, lies this charming six-bedroom house (HH-7339881). Located by the Flégère cable car in Les Praz, this grand residence was built in 1928 and has since been fully refurbished. A cellar, ski room, hot tub and pretty garden are just a few reasons to view the property, which is priced at €1,750,000.
A cosy chalet, just a five-minute walk from the centre of Chamonix, this three-bedroom property (HH-5807430) is well located for taking trips in the Aiguille du Midi cable car. A fully-equipped studio also adjoins the chalet and the property also includes two annexe “mazots” or wooden buildings, one of which is spread over two levels and includes a kitchen, lounge and shower room. A luxurious Jacuzzi also awaits in the garden under a pretty wooden structure. The asking price is €950,000.
For more information about these properties visit www.home-hunts.com or speak to a consultant in the French office on +33 (0)970 44 66 43.