A Quieter Kind of Holiday in the French Alps

A collection of digital photos from Chamonix - mountain air, quiet hikes, and the kind of views

that don’t quite feel real.

I’ve never been bothered about the traditional ‘holiday’. By that, I mean the typical beach holiday where you venture somewhere warm, spend the days sunbathing, and the evenings munching on Lays crisps with a glass of Fanta Lemon. I get too hot, too bored, and I’ve never been one to find lying around for hours relaxing.

It was only when I visited the Dolomites a few years ago that I truly discovered a type of holiday that suited me. Being in the fresh air, surrounded by gorgeous mountainous views and hiking into the most beautiful places, was the absolute dream. I felt so calm, my mental health was thriving, and I got to capture images that felt like art. It really brought me down to earth and gave me a sense of contentment I’ve always longed for but never quite had.

Last year, we visited Chamonix in France. It was spectacular. We always go on these kinds of trips towards the summertime, when the snow has melted and all the ski lifts are open for hikers or cyclists. I focussed more on digital photos this time - thankfully I had a pair of trousers on with loads of different pockets so I could take a bunch of different lenses. There were a huge amount of photos, so I’ve chosen some of my favourites to share. Enjoy!

This was my absolute favourite of the lot.

There’s something so comforting to me about being such a small part of such a vast world. I love how teeny the people in this are compared to the landscape - it really shows how large everything felt.

All of the photos above were taken during a day trip to Aiguille du Midi - a 3,842-metre-tall mountain. We took a cable car up to the top, and I honestly don’t have words for how breathtaking it was. It didn’t even feel real.

Now, onto some greener photos taken during our hikes.