Nature in Chamonix Mont Blanc. Wildlife information, Animals, birds and Flowers of the Alps

The Chamonix Nature
For centuries man made little impact on the mountains. All that changed in the last century with summer and winter tourism.
The growth of ski runs, cable cars, chair lifts, roads and hotels has put pressure on the ecological structure and balance. The explosion of tourism threatens many species that have a precarious existence in the mountain environment.

The Wildlife in Chamonix - Fauna: Animals and Birds
Many different species of animals live in the mountains. Most of the mammals are herbivores such as chamois, mountain hares and marmottes although a few foxes and lynx (very rare) can be found.
There is a limited variety of birds but the sight of a royal eagle or a bearded vulture, with over 2m wingspans is a real reward for any ornathologist. Reptiles such as snakes and lizards enjoy sunbathing on the warm rocks. Be careful a few are venomous! Little affected by the reduced oxygen levels, many insects live at high altitudes, in particular, butterflies.

Plant Life - Flora in Chamonix Mont Blanc
From the bottom of the valleys to the highest peaks, a wide range of vegetation can be found. Deciduous trees low down, with spruce and larch a bit higher and finally conifers. Above 2500m only a few hardy bushes survive, but algae can be found right up to the highest points.
In spring and summer a large variety of flowers can be appreciated in the forests and mountain pastures.

Geology of the Alps - Chamonix Mont Blanc
The French Alps cover about 35 000 km² of the western Alpine chain. They form an arc from Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean, 350 km long with an average width of 100 km. The highest point is the Mt-Blanc at 4807m (15 770ft). The average altitude is 1100m.
The characteristics of these young (everything's relative!) mountains are strongly defined by the pinacles, needles, enclosed valleys and long glaciers. An extraordinary variety of rocks and minerals can be found, particularly in the massif. Intense erosion, often assisted by man, continues to expose mineralogical and petrographical treasures.
Amateur mineralogists will find crystallised minerals, sedimentary rocks with fossils, volcanic and metamorphic rocks. Check the Events calendar for the annual Mineral Fair in the summer. You can also check out the museuam in the Espace Tairraz exhibition centre in Chamonix or up at the Montenvers Train station/Mer de Glace.

Chamonix Natural Reserves and Zoos - a nice place to start...
The easy way to appreciate all this plant and animal life is to visit to one of the zoos or nature reserves in the valley. The Aiguilles Rouges nature reserve, the Marécottes zoo (in Switzerland), the Parc de Merlet (a reserve of mountain animals at liberty) or the St. Bernard breeding centre are the primary places. For more details on these see our natural reserve and zoo page.

Chamonix Ski Area map

The Benefits of the CHAMONIX LE PASS ski pass:

Mont Blanc Unlimited and Chamonix Le Pass

All the Ski passes prices of the Chamonix valley ski resorts: The Mont Blanc Unlimited  and the Chamonix Le Pass, Winter Season and Annual

Snow Chains in Winter, how to fit it on...
Are you struggling to put snow chains on your tyres? Let us show you how...
Montenvers Train to Mer de Glace
The Montenvers Train & the Mer de Glace
Chamonix Ski Pass, all the info you need to know is here...

Planning a first visit to Chamonix – FAQs

The Chamonix Bus

Bus system within the Chamonix Valley

The Mont Blanc Express at Argentiere Station

Trains in the Chamonix Valley

Discover the beautiful region of the Mont Blanc and the Trient valley by train.

Chamonix Leisure Park of Planards in Winter
Presentations of the Chamonix Leisure Park of Planards
Hikers Beware! Snow on Mountain Paths

Chamonix 2013 was an exceptional winter for snowfall.

Summer 2013: Electric Bikes for €10/day

Electiric bikes are becoming increasingly popular in many towns and cities th

The French Ski Team Ride into Town Skiers in Chamonix cross country skiing

The french Ski Team ride into town during the afternoon.

Two Companies bid for the Contract to Operate the Chamonix Lift System

In December 2012, the Commune of Chamonix and the Compagnie du Mont-Blanc (CM

Mountain Biking in Chamonix: Flégère routes to close, summer 2013

The Compagnie du Mont Blanc (CMB) has decided to close the Flegère Mountain B

Missing Climber found Alive on Aiguille Verte Gaëlle Cavalié recovers from her ordeal in Sallanches Hospital

Gaëlle Cavalié missing since Tuesday 14 May was found alive on the morning of

British skier North Face Aiguille du Midi fatal fall

Saturday 18th May 2013 at about 9:00 pm in the evening, two British skiers we

Missing Person on the Mont-Blanc Massif Gaelle Cavalié

An  appeal for witnesses was made after the alarming disappearance of a mount


10 Jun 2013 - 15 Jun 2013
From Mon 10 June to Sat 15 June 2013
Mairie - 5th floor
74310 Les Houches
26 Apr 2013 - 31 Aug 2013
From Fri 26 Apr to Sat 31 Aug 2013
Hôtel le Prieuré
74400 Chamonix Mont-Blanc
15 Dec 2012 - 15 Jun 2013
74400 Chamonix
19 rue Whymper
Galerie Mario Colonel
From 15th December 2012 to 15th June 2013

10 June 2013
10 June 2013
4 June 2013
4 June 2013
4 June 2013
30 May 2013
14 May 2013
13 May 2013