The Chamonix/Mont Blanc region comprises not just Chamonix but also half a dozen neighbouring villages and hamlets - notably Argentiere, Les Bossons and Les Houches. Chamonix itself was once a small village but has grown steadily as the surrounding mountains - the most famous of which is Mont Blanc - attract more and more visitors. It now measures about 2 mls by ½ ml with a permanent population of 10,000. Much of the development is sensitive to the region, although the town centre is rather commercialised. However you can still conjure up its village origins in the cobbled streets of the extensive pedestrianised area around the central square. It is a popular year-round base and its size and valley location mean it can get excessively crowded in high season (Jan to March and July to Aug); it is generally quiet mid to late spring and mid to late autumn.

Sophisticated and expensive, Chamonix and its area attracts a high proportion of well-heeled visitors from USA, Japan and Europe. Plenty to keep intermediate and advanced skiers happy; not best suited to beginners.

Especially in Chamonix, a broad choice of hotels and equal number of rented apartments and chalets. Hotel quality and prices range widely but are well above average - the rates often considerably higher than elsewhere in France.

In Chamonix, the usual array of designer boutiques, sportswear, supermarkets and sundry souvenir retailers, mostly confined to the pedestrianised zone in the resort centre. Many other radiating roads are also closed to heavy traffic until late afternoon. Saturday morning market offering examples of local delicacies.

Daytime: Chamonix area in winter has a full range of winter-sports activities including the famous artificial luge (toboggan run); indoor sports centre; indoor and outdoor ice-rinks; sleigh rides. In summer, hiking, mountain biking, lake swimming and golf. Nightlife: as simple or sophisticated as you wish with a host of bars, bistros and discos; casino for those feeling lucky; cinema.

A wide and tempting choice, especially in Chamonix. McDonald's is a relatively recent addition.

Several colour-coded bus routes operate, covering Chamonix and outlying hamlets. Once routes are mastered, it is relatively easy to reach the ski-lifts and buses are free of charge to pass holders. Main train station for nearby St Gervais (20 mins) for connecting TGV services farther afield.

Half day: Aiguille du Midi cable car (12,605 ft) to view Mont Blanc, eat at restaurant and visit ice tunnel; Montenvers railway to Mer de Glace (ice exhibitions and departure points for walking trails). Full day: Martigny in Switzerland (art exhibitions); pretty lakeside town of Annecy; Geneva for shopping.

In E France. 8 mls N of Mont Blanc tunnel. 15 mls S of Swiss border. 26 mls E of Megeve. 5 mls N of Chamonix. 68 mls SE of Geneva (Switzerland) and its airport. 85 mls NW of Turin (Italy) and its airport.

Lies roughly SW to NE along a long, fairly wide valley with high slopes on either side, mainly wooded at the lower levels and set far enough back to allow plenty of sunshine.

Airport : Geneva
Airport Code: GVA
Flight time from ther U.K.: 1 hr 30 mins