It was a Splendid Saturday in Chamonix, France. Surrounded by the Alps, Chamonix is an extreme town in many ways, it is surrounded with extremely tall, picturesque mountains, it is filled with extreme alpinists, the food is extremely hearty, and the spirit is extremely free and friendly.
As I spent the day in the village, I couldn’t stop looking up at the mountains and thinking of the day before.
On Friday, we took on the challange of the famous, Vallée Blanche, a 20 km run, through a stunning glacier setting. To get to this run, one must take a gondola from Chamonix to the top of the Aiguille du Midi (3842 m.), a place they call entre ciel et terre (between heaven and earth). Many travel up to this spire simply to enjoy the 5 outdoor terraces, a snack and the 360 degree view of the mountains. On a clear day you can see the highest peaks of the French, Swiss and Italian Alps.
If you don’t return to the village on the gondola, the only options are to climb or ski down. We opted to ski. The Vallée Blanche run starts with a long, icy path, lined with a guard rope. We wore harnesses and were roped to our guide as we slowly made our way down this slick walkway to the skiiable area.
The path down proved to be the hardest part on this beautiful, sunny day. The snow was a little crusty, a bit icy — but well worth the experience. Our guide navigated us through gorgeous glacial fields of aquamarine crystals. At the half way point we stopped to enjoy lunch at a refugee (hut) on a sunny deck filled with a symphony of languages and accents. Towards the botton of the run we skiied by the largest glacier in France, the Mer de Glace and toured the incredible ice cave.
Today, in the village, a light cover of clouds has come in.
But when there is a clearing, I look up to the mountain in a different way, in the Saturday bustle in Chamonix, know that I was there and made it down the famed Vallée Blanche.
It was market day in Chamonix.
Oh, if I had a kittchen, I would be busy preparing a tasty feast, but for today, we’ll have to settle for a feast for just the eyes!
The breakfast radishes make me want to run to the bakery for some bread, butter and salt.
Salade Nicoise, anyone??
There were bowls, and bowls of olives. How nice to have little olive trees to use for display.
I would have chosen the green olives with the Herbes de Provence.
The wheels of fromage were endless,
as was the charcuterie.
The sealed, smoked filet mignons were very tempting.
Hearty hunks of procuitto.
We’re far from the sea, but the oysters packed in seaweed looked very fresh.
Slabs of nougat are cut and sold by weight.
Pots of Muscari to garnish the table.
Outdoors at the Brasserie L’M, “La plus belle terrasse, au centre de Chamonix“, a salad Savoyardes with tender lettuces, lardons, gruyere cheese and topped with a poached egg was the perfect post~market lunch.
As I continued to marvel at the mountains.
What an amazing day! Beautiful photos of the food and yes the mountain is breathtaking. Please take in a little of the French fresh air for me. =)
I shall!! I'll be out of touch for the next week, and will miss reading Simply Luxurious! I am heading across the Alps on skis! Just finishing up my prescheduled posts for the week! @:{}
heaven on earth…. truly… xx
I will miss seeing red ticking as well. I am looking forward to catching up with all of your great posts in a weeks time.