The Last Hike In Chamonix, France And Onward To Montreux, Switzerland

6/25/23 to 6/29/23

Our last hike was an easy one, and yet I still hung back with Justin at the end. My legs are not used to so much hiking. We took the cable car up to the Brevent Pass then another over to the highest point. We had our first good look at Mont Blanc as it was usually obscured by the other summits or clouds. We rode up with a group of Belgian soldiers who were training in the mountains - it was a lovely view. 😉

We did the touristy thing of climbing to the summit and taking lots of pictures, ogling Mont Blanc. Then we took a short hike - 8.5  miles - watched para-gliders, rock climbers, and a mountain rescue while we ate our picnic lunch. Ann Marie opted to hike back to town, but Susan and I and a few others took the gondola down. 

Looking south with Mont Blanc behind me.

And looking north to the sedimentary mountain range.

Our last hike.

Dozens of tandem para-gliders giving rides.

I just love a compass rose.

We all met up for drinks and to say goodbye to Bene' with our thanks and a nice tip.

We decided to have dinner at the Rose Du Pont hotel restaurant and it was lovely. I really was tired of our hotel kitchens' less than inspiring menu for dinner. That was the only negative in my 4.5 star review. The food was just so basic - baked fish or chicken, no spice, no sauce.

In the morning it was time to move on. After breakfast we headed to the train station with bags in tow - not my preference, and caught the first of 3 trains to Montreux. No problems at all until we got off in Martigny only to be told the next train was cancelled. So we found a cafe at a petting zoo, had the tiniest cup of coffee I've ever been served, and made the best of our one hour wait for the next train. 



Chamonix Train Station

At the petting zoo.

The rest of the trip was uneventful and we got to Montreux where we parted ways. I walked to my hotel, the Eden Palace, in the center of town, while Ann Marie and Susan took a cab to theirs about a mile and a half away. I booked a room early and got a great deal on a nice lake view room with balcony and air conditioning. They waited too long and the hotel was full by the time they were ready to book. I was reluctant to give up my room so separate hotels it was. They ended up coming to mine both nights for snacks and wine as the air conditioning was crucial - it was a hot 3 days!

Chillon Castle

The sunset view from my balcony.

It was a beautiful walk along the waterfront - like a very long botanical garden.

One of many statues on the path along the lake.

Our two and a half days in Montreux were busy. We toured the Chillon Castle, took a steam ship ride on Lake Geneva (also known as Lac Leman) to Lausanne, enjoyed a nice dinner on the water, took a train back to the hotel, walked the Lake Shore Path several times, kayaked on the lake, found the quaint old town and had lunch at a fancy restaurant. 

The ship we took a ride on and were serenaded by 4 Lithuanian men singing about beer.

The Freddie Mercury statue. He spent many happy years in Montreux and built a studio here.

Musicians getting ready for the jazz festival. We missed it by one day!

Kayaking on Lac Leman.




After seeing Ann Marie and Susan off to their hotel each night, I'd take a solo walk by the waterfront to watch the sunset and the people. Montreux seemed like a very safe city.

We wanted to bike around the lake, but there were no bike rental shops we could find. Apparently that is not a thing to do there. We were also puzzled (and delighted) at the lack of personal boating on the Lake. Here in NY, anyone with a place on a lake has a boat for fishing, water sports, or just riding in. There were very few boats on the lake at all. 

Farewell Montreux!

After 3 days in Montreux, we were ready to head back home. We caught a quick train to Geneva and had a long but uneventful flight back to JFK. We found our shuttle back to Albany, then our last driver brought us to Ann Marie's house where I quickly drove home. Even though it was a fantastic trip with great friends, I was never so happy to be in my own home and bed!


Comments

  1. MargaretJuly 10, 2023 at 7:40 PM

    Fantastic pictures of Mont Blanc and the view from your hotel room! I've loved Switzerland every time I've gone; these pictures make me long to return.

    ReplyDelete

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