Chamonix-Mont-Blanc or, more commonly, Chamonix is a commune in the Haute-Savoie département in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France. It was the site of the 1924 Winter Olympics, the first Winter Olympics. The commune's population of around 9,800 ranks 865th within the country of France.
Situated near the massive peaks of the Aiguilles Rouges and most notably the Aiguille du Midi, Chamonix is one of the oldest ski resorts in France. Contrary to popular belief amongst many visitors to Chamonix, the tallest mountain in Europe 'Mont Blanc' does not fall within the towns borders. This magnificent mountain and its summit is actually shared between the neighbouring French commune of Saint-Gervais-les-Bains and that of Courmayeur in Italy, and conseqently the title of highest commune in France sits with the less well known but equally historic neighbour of St Gervais. The Chamonix commune is well known and loved by skiers and mountain enthusiasts of all types, and via the cable car lift to the Aiguille du Midi it is possible to access the world famous off-piste skirun of the Vallée Blanche. With an area of 245 km (95 sq mi), Chamonix is the fourth largest commune in mainland France
