Mont Blanc Plage, Passy
The scenic drive from Switzerland to Chamonix was truly spectacular. As we began our ascent above the valley and into the Alps, we decided to stop at a little restaurant along the way. This break was welcome as I was driving and didn’t fancy the challenges of driving the van on steep hills with severe drops!
Restaurant Sur-le-Scex was located on the very first hairpin turn overlooking Martigny and the Vallée du Rhône. I maneuvered the van into a parking spot, slightly across two spaces, as the rear was hanging out over the edge of the road! Steve did a double check that the handbrake was on!
As we stepped out of the van, we could smell the brakes and clutches from campervans coming down the winding roads of the mountainside. The view was absolutely breathtaking, and even though the heat was quite intense, we decided to opt for a seat outside to make the most of it.
We ordered three pizzas between us and they were all delicious. The owner was very friendly and fussed over the kids. We jumped back into the van to continue the journey to Chamonix.
We booked two nights at Mont Blanc Plage. We found it hard to book a campsite in Chamonix itself, even though we booked well in advance. Mont Blanc Plage is located around two small lakes in the valley facing Mont Blanc. It is approximately a 30 minute drive into Chamonix, so we drove through and straight to the campsite. We thought we’d leave the visit to Chamonix for the following day.
We arrived at the campsite and made our way to the reception, which is located on the side of the lake that faces Mont Blanc and the surrounding mountains. Attached to the reception area is a restaurant with a terrace, which also offers a selection of cocktails and ice creams. When we looked down from the reception area, Sam spotted a fun water slide and floating trampolines bobbing in the lake. We arrived ahead of the check-in time, which was set for 3 PM, but the owners were friendly and allowed us in early. We could also choose from a selection of available pitches, which was a nice bonus for us. The campsite itself has a very relaxed atmosphere. There are two bathroom blocks on the premises; one of them is more modern and requires no tokens for showers! We quickly set up camp so the kids could get ready and jump straight in!
Sam and Esme eagerly continued their ice cream challenge, and Sam decided to choose caramel. Esme almost settled on vanilla but changed to strawberry last minute.