French Alps (Chamonix) in mid-May

i am planning a trip to french alps (Chamonix), for those who've been
there, done that, what would you recommend in terms of

1) lodging (budget-minded);
2) activities; i am more interested in a one-day beginner hiking trip,
any good ones to recommend? What temperature should i be expecting in
mid-May so i can pack clothes appropriately?
3) is it worth to cross the border to the swiss side?

and any other not-to-miss things to do?

thanks,
EuroStar

L1 wrote:
i am planning a trip to french alps (Chamonix), for those who've been
there, done that, what would you recommend in terms of

1) lodging (budget-minded);

Chamonix is a very crowded place in the winter (ski) season and in the
summer season. May should be quiet. But many tourists go there to show off,
and Chamonix has as many luxury shops per square meter as Paris... If you
are looking for more authentic places, go beyond Chamonix, to the head of
the valley (Argentieres, Montroc, Le Tour). One of the places I love is the
Moulin (http://perso.wanadoo.fr/gite-lemoulin/). It is a hut-type, in a
secluded place - and priced very reasonably. Another of my favorites is the
hut in Trelechamp (towards the col des Montets - The famous guide Armand
Charlet lived there).

2) activities; i am more interested in a one-day beginner hiking trip,
any good ones to recommend? What temperature should i be expecting in
mid-May so i can pack clothes appropriately?

There are hundreds of hikes in the area... You get the best views of
Mont-Blanc and of the Aiguilles from the Aiguilles Rouges. The trek to the
Lac Blanc is one of the best. If you want to get close-up views of the
mountains, take the train to Montenvers, and walk on the Mer de Glace,
towards the Couvercle hut : if conditions are good, this is probably the
most fantastic view you can get on the Massif. But snow conditions at that
time of the year may not permit this trek without mountaineering equipment.
In the summer time, you can walk safely unroped on the Mer de Glace : the
crevases are very visible. But in May, the snow may hide the holes.

The cable car to Aiguille du Midi provides a nice view, but you cannot walk
away from the top unless you have mountaineering equipment.

This is a mountain area, and the weather changes very rapidly. You may have
fantastic weather, and you may have rain for days on end... The snow line
will probably still be quite low : take good walking shoes and gaiters.

3) is it worth to cross the border to the swiss side?

You don't see Mont-Blanc from the Swiss side (Martigny). There are beautiful
mountains in Switzerland, but it's a different trip...

Crossing the border to Italy (through the Tunnel) is not worth it either :
the Mont-Blanc has a very steep south side. It is very beautiful, but very
wild.

Here is a list of non-smoking restaurants in Alps
http://www.smokefreeworld.com/france.shtml#savoie

"Daniel Masse" wrote in message ...
L1 wrote:
i am planning a trip to french alps (Chamonix), for those who've been
there, done that, what would you recommend in terms of

1) lodging (budget-minded);

Chamonix is a very crowded place in the winter (ski) season and in the
summer season. May should be quiet. But many tourists go there to show off,
and Chamonix has as many luxury shops per square meter as Paris... If you
are looking for more authentic places, go beyond Chamonix, to the head of
the valley (Argentieres, Montroc, Le Tour). One of the places I love is the
Moulin (http://perso.wanadoo.fr/gite-lemoulin/). It is a hut-type, in a
secluded place - and priced very reasonably. Another of my favorites is the
hut in Trelechamp (towards the col des Montets - The famous guide Armand
Charlet lived there).

I don't plan to rent a car while there, can i still get around to
those places you mentioned?

thanks.

L1 wrote:
I don't plan to rent a car while there, can i still get around to
those places you mentioned?

Yes, of course, there is a little train going up the valley.