Shopping · Chamonix · France
Shopping in Chamonix
Shopping streets, markets and souvenirs worth the suitcase space.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Franck Langlois, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Chamonix is one of the best places in Europe to buy outdoor and mountaineering gear, with specialist shops and big brand stores in the centre. Local cheese, charcuterie and génépi are the classic food souvenirs. Best souvenirs: Beaufort and Reblochon, Génépi and Mountaineering gear.
Key facts
- Shopping areas
- 3
- Markets
- 1
- Top souvenir
- Beaufort and Reblochon
Where to shop
Rue du Docteur Paccard
The main pedestrian street, with outdoor clothing brands, boutiques and cafés.
Around Place Balmat and the station
Mountaineering, ski and climbing specialists, many with expert staff who climb and ski themselves.
Argentière village
Smaller ski and outdoor shops, plus bakeries and delis.
Markets
Chamonix weekly market
Stalls of Savoie cheese, charcuterie, honey, produce and clothes in the centre, usually on Saturday mornings.
What to buy
Beaufort and Reblochon
Cheese shops vacuum-pack pieces for travel; check your home country's import rules.
Génépi
Bottles of the alpine herbal liqueur from local producers.
Mountaineering gear
Technical jackets, crampons and climbing equipment from specialist shops.
Savoie charcuterie
Dried sausages and mountain ham from local butchers and delis.
Vintage-style posters
Reproductions of classic Chamonix and Mont Blanc travel posters from bookshops and gift shops.
Food and drink to take home
Edible souvenirs travel best when they are dry or sealed: consider Tarte aux myrtilles, Génépi, Vin chaud and Gâteau de Savoie. Bakeries and mountain hut terraces, especially in August and September. Check your home country's rules on bringing food and drink back.
Shopping by neighbourhood
| Area | Price level | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Chamonix centre | $$$ | Pedestrian streets, outdoor shops and bars around Place Balmat and Rue du Docteur Paccard |
| Chamonix Sud | $$ | Apartment blocks, budget eats and the Aiguille du Midi cable car on the doorstep |
| Argentière | $$ | Mountain village beneath the Argentière glacier and the Grands Montets ski area |
| Les Houches | $$ | Family-friendly ski village at the lower, wooded end of the valley |
| Vallorcine | $$ | Remote village between Argentière and the Swiss border on the Mont-Blanc Express line |
Paying and bargaining
Prices are in EUR. Service is included in restaurant bills. Leaving a few euros for good service is common, and ski instructors and mountain guides appreciate a tip at the end of a successful day or course.
- Greet with 'Bonjour' in shops, cafés and on mountain trails, where walkers usually say hello as they pass.
- Stay in accommodation that issues the guest card for free buses and valley trains.
When to shop
Shops and markets are quietest in May and November; the busiest months are February and July–August.
- August: Fête des Guides — mountain guides' festival (usually around 15 August)
Staying near the shops
Questions travellers ask
+What should I buy in Chamonix?
Beaufort and Reblochon, Génépi, Mountaineering gear and Savoie charcuterie.
+Where is the best shopping in Chamonix?
Rue du Docteur Paccard: The main pedestrian street, with outdoor clothing brands, boutiques and cafés.
+What are the best markets in Chamonix?
Chamonix weekly market.