Chamonix, France (ski resort)

 

Chamonix, population 9,000, is a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts. It's home to mountain biking, hang gliding, paragliding, hiking, trail running, skiing, snow boarding, rafting, mountain climbing and more.

The first ever Olympic Winter Olympics were held here back in 1924.    

The Arveyron River flows right through the center of town.

Why do they have statues of those two dudes on a prime spot in Chamonix's town center and where are they pointing/looking?  

The one of the right is Horace Bénédict de Saussure (1740-1799) --who's credited with coining the word alpinism (same as mountaineering). Saussure was a fascinating guy (inventor, geologist, physicist, meteorologist). His first ascent of Mont Blanc ended in failure.

The guy on the left is Jacques Balmat (1762-1834). In 1786 he became the first person to ascent Mont Blanc---at 15,771 feet it's the highest mountain in Europe.

Not to worry though because Saussure in 1787 was part of the third group to reach the summit of Mont Blanc. 

So, where are they looking? It's Mont Blanc! 

Much of Chamonix's town center is car-free.

Another town center street.

Mont Blanc.

Town center.

Town center.

Found three patisserie shops that get the two thumbs up from me. 

Chaminox has two rivers flowing through town. This is the Arve River and it's fast-flowing. I stopped on the bridge to snap a photo of a raft passing by and by the time I jumped off my bike the raft had disappeared into the distance.   

Heading to the lift that whisks you up Aiguille du Midi--at 12,605 feet it's one of the tallest mountains in the French Alps. 

This is where you catch the cable car that will take you up Aiguille du Midi, It's the highest vertical ascent cable car in the world. 

Church view.

The tall building on right is Chamonix's town hall. 

View toward Mont Blanc from another ski lift. 

Heading back to Switzerland required cycling over this mountain pass. 

Getting ready for the 10 mile downhill to the Swiss Rhone Valley.

View of the Rhone Valley.

Lake Schiffenen and Murten/Morat, Switzerland

I'm cycling around Lake Schiffenen, a long narrow man-made lake (1963) lined with steep cliffs--similar to a fjord. It's roughly 25 miles round the lake. It's hard to snap photos due to dense forests and clearings are few. I took this directly into the sun thus the sun spots.

I'm on the lookout for three castles in the area but all are privately-owned.

 

Lots of beautiful farmland. These goats are nosey. Coming right up to the fence to check me out after snapping this picture. 

Making a five mile detour from the lake to revisit the walled-in medieval town of Murten/Morat, population 8,000. Was here back in 2018 and it's a tour bus stop.

No plaque to identify the soldier but the fountain dates back to 1814.

Last remaining town gate (Bern gate). Dates back to 1239 though this one was built in 1750. 

Huge clock needs to be wound every 24 hours and the time is still spot on!

A main street through Murten/Morat. The town goes by two names as it's officially bilingual (French/German). 

Murten/Morat town hall. 

The courtyard inside town hall. 

View from Murten/Morat town hall of Lake Morat (or Lake Murten). I cycled round the lake during my 2018 visit. 

Another street within town's walls.

Guard tower.

Medieval walls still enclose Murten/Morat.

Don't know what's the deal with white stuff. Filled my water bottle with ice cold water. 

Another section of wall guarding the town. 

Another street view. 

I'm back to Lake Schiffenen and it's an up and down ride along rolling hills. I spot what looks to be a castle tower off in the distance.

That must be Petit-Vivy Castle. One of the three I'm on the lookout for. 

Found the hidden road leading to castle. Was looking to get closer view but multiple signs announce it's private property. 

Used the zoom feature to capture this view. The backside of Petit-Vivy Castle sits on a high steep bluff overlooking Lake Schiffenen. Dates back to the 13th century and the walls are 11 feet thick!

Had no luck finding the other two castles. 

As mentioned, it's difficult taking photos of Lake Schiffenen because there're no roads running along the lake and much of it is blocked by dense forest. Did find a clearing to snap this.  

Lake Champex, Switzerland

I'm about 10 miles from the Swiss/Italian border and I'm cycling up to the mountain village of Lake Champex (population 600). 
 

Entering the village of Lake Champex.

Whoa, rounding the bend after the welcome sign in the previous photo I see military equipment parked on the side of the road.

It seems I've come upon Lake Champex Artillery Fort.

Built between 1940-1943, the fort was designed to guard the Great St. Bernard Pass against invasion by Italy during World War II. 

We aren't talking about a rinky-dink fort. Tunnels totaling almost a half-mile zig-zag inside the steep mountain side.  The place could accommodate 300 soldiers.  Two 75 mm guns and eight 105 mm guns were pointed towards the mountain pass.

The fort was decommissioned in 1998. Tours are given but, it's not open today and you need an appointment. I've visited several decommissioned WWII mountain forts in Switzerland and they are fantastic! 

I'm standing on the patio deck of a hotel directly above the artillery fort. In the distance is the Great St. Bernard Pass---which is where the artillery is pointed. 

Unfortunately the mountain face is sheer and there's no way to hike down and catch a peek at the gun placements.  

This is a view from the hotel patio toward another road through the mountains but, doesn't go to Italy. 

Lake Champex.

The water coming out of the fountain is ice cold!

Another view of Lake Champex

Main drag through Lake Champex.

Village has one bakery and take a pass as nothing looks good. 

Colorful exterior of restaurant .

So, I cycled up to Lake Champex and now will be heading down the backside of the mountain. 

Coming down the backside I pass probably more than 50 cyclists coming up. Why so many coming up this way? A heatwave has been hitting Europe the past week with temperatures everyday hitting 100 plus. Turns out the backside road is in the shade. Wish a local would have clued me in. 

The town of Bovernier has a giant bee(?) alongside the busy road. Don't know if that gets tourists to make a beeline to the exit and check out the town.