A truly unforgettable event that has to be seen, La Fête des guides is a 4 day event covering the length and breadth off the Chamonix valley.
It was started in 1924 and continues to this day to draw people in from all over the world, La Fête des guides is primarily a charity event working with donations and the generosity of the general public. The reason behind this is to support injured guides or the families that have lost someone. They create the event with new and past guides alike, their family’s and members of the Chamonix commune. If you are planning a holiday during this period its a must, you get a real insiders welcome to the modern Chamonix as well as a step back in time to the golden days of Alpinisme.
“Interesting Fact: La Compagnie des Guides strarted in 1821 and currently boasting 200+ guides,
making it the largest and oldest guiding company in the world!”
The Famous Socks!
It all kicks off on the 12th of August in a little Village known as Le Lavancher, this tiny hamlet sits in-between Chamonix and Argentiere. When taking a stroll though the timeless village you cant help but let your imagination run away with you. Some of the buildings date back hundreds of years, with luscious green pastures full of milka cows! Tiny babbling brooks and if your lucky enough you might just spot a deer or two. On the Saturday we start off by starting the ancient stone bread oven @11am, then we move on nibbling to some great kid activities. Early evening arrives with a speech and aperitif from the president of the Compagnie des guides, before sitting down to a real Savoyard dinner followed by live music and optional dancing!
13th of August sees us take a hike to the other end of the valley to the village of Les Houches. The setting could not be more idiailic, a clear blue lake filled with jumping trout, surrounded by tall pines and out of nowhere a towering wall of tough granite. This all means that many different activities can be enjoyed here, it starts @14pm with lots of guided fun for the kids and grown ups alike! Climb like a Chamois on the wall, fly like an eagle on the zip line… these are just some of days thrills. @18.30pm there will be a word from the Mayor of Les Houches followed by some tasty local food cuisine, with live music to follow.
14th of August be ready for a day full of action & adventure, located in the historic village of Argentiere. This village is a true alpine paradise with some formidable peaks and a rolling crystal blue glacier descending down to the town. From 9am
to 12.30am there will be lots of fun and games for the kids with adrenalin guarenteed, for the adults there will be a guided alpine hike along one of the many spectacular trials. As with all the events these activities are paid for by the Compagnie des Guides but feel free to drop some money into the pot! There will be the opportunity all day to go and check out some authentic Mont-Blanc crystals & gems. @17hr brings one of the most symbolic moments of the whole Week-end, Cérémonie traditionnelle. This is held in the centre of Argentiere at the Church, it brings a blessing on current guides and gives the opportunity to meet this years new aspirant guides. But @20hr it really gets going with fantastic live music and summer cocktails!
“Frankenstein author Mary Shelley, spent alot of time in the Chamonix Valley with Lord Byron,
Chamonix is the scene of an encounter between the monster and the doctor.”
Lasers!
15th of August La Finale! This is the last day of the Fete des Guides and also the big bang extravaganza! Its held in an area of Chamonix called Les Gaillands, its about a kilometre or two outside of Chamonix. The main road will be closed off but don’t fear their are plenty of buses to jump on. if your coming from out of the valley by car then you can leave your car at Parking du Grépon, which is the first large car-park you get to when you arrive in Chamonix. Fun & games start @17hrs with kids activities with various mountain sports, there is also a high tree adventure park so get ready for some tree swinging action! The climbing here is also the best of the week-end as there is a very large granite face protruding from the mountain base. there really is soo much to see here with the world famous Chamonix mountain rescue showing us some rescue techniques. also a trip though the stars with a jump course in astronomy , then onto the lights & lasers! The guides every year put on a really exciting and stunning show, normally they pick an alpine theme and create a truly thrilling show. The backdrop is a one of the best here surrounded by 3 alpine lakes and the huge open face that rises up from the grass in front of you all, the moon glistening on the deep blue glacial Mont-Blanc range . Then firing up into the sky we stand and pay witness to a truly epic firework display, Bang Crackle Fizzz! Though out the day there will be various food & beverage stands to keep up your energy levels!
Joining the ranks!
Prices for the last day:
– Entrée adults 15 €, infants – 12 ans 5 €, free for under – 5 ans.
Ticket Offices:
– Bureau des guides d’Argentière, Chamonix, Les Houches, Les Gaillands, Office de tourisme de Chamonix et des Houches.
