Today, let’s meet Claire, one of our best guide in the French Alps. She is a passionate guide who will introduce you to the French Alps and especially Chamonix and its surroundings! Claire is an official member of The Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix and therefore specializing in hiking the French Alps.
Also do not hesitate to visit our website and see this 100% customizable trip to the French Alps.
Born in Chamonix in a family of guides and high mountain photographers, I was introduced to the mountains by my grandfather, since then my attraction and love of the mountains have not failed. After studying geomorphology and geography at the university, and travelling for several years, I became a guide myself in 1987, worked at first mainly in the Alps (France, Switzerland, Italy, Austria). Then as I developed my own clientele, started to offer other destinations (Iceland, Spain, Slovenia, Morocco). I am a member of the Guides Company in Chamonix but essentially work with my private clientele from all over the world. I am specializing on travels that offer a real human and cultural experience of the area we visit, emphasizing with the contact with locals and trying to find places away from mass tourism.
Much longer before the Covid 19, I have tried to limit the number of participants in my groups, pay a lot of attention to the accommodation chosen so people can feel at ease. All my trips, besides a few unavoidable transportations, are in the outdoor mainly walking or hiking trips. Besides the economic impact due to lack of international clients, in terms of trip organization and offer, I have not been obliged to modify much.
Aiguillette des Posettes, mainly above tree level, this hike is a 4h30 loop, offering an incredible panorama embracing the entire Mont Blanc range and turned towards Switzerland. Perfect for intermediate hikers, the best period is September or October when colors are starting to change, and the first snow is covering and whitening the mountains above.
With no surprise, the top of the Aiguille du Midi and its gorgeous views on the Mont Blanc are among the favorite excursions of travelers from all nationalities. So, to avoid the crowds and have a more original sight of the Mont Blanc, I recommend to take the cable car to the top of the Brevent (2,525 m / 8,300 ft). It’s not as high and impressive as the Aiguille du Midi (3,840 m / 12,600 ft), but it’s also less crowded and much comfortable for people who are not acclimatized to altitudes over 3000 m / 10,000 ft . Also the Mer de Glace, offers its best view and light conditions in the early morning, instead of between 11am and 4pm, which are the rush hours.
Know what you are talking about. Adapt your guiding to your client abilities. That is the minimum to show respect to your clients.
- Making them feel special
- Keen attention to details
- Reactivity in case of problems
As a true mountain person, I love cheeses, such as Tomme or Comté. So, any kind of cheese based dishes would be my favorite. And I am an unconditional apple pie lover!
There are many memorable and valuable moments in a trip:
– Reach the top of a pass after hiking up 2 hours and discover the view ahead.
– Visit a farm in the mountains in a remote, secluded area, where the cheese maker will show his “savoir-faire” in the making of a famous cheese that all the 3 star restaurants in the valleys will want to buy.
– Meet a Shepard who looks like Massoud in Afghanistan, coming down the mountain with a 2000 sheep herd behind him.
– Drink a glass of schnapps at the end of the dinner, in the hut keeper kitchen trying to talk to his family who only speaks French.
– Watching 2 eagles hunt, as we are having a well-deserved snack, on top of a pass.
If you ever travel with us, you might encounter Claire for one or many of your tours. Do not hesitate to contact us or check our sample itineraries 100% customizable directly on our website.
If you enjoyed this portrait of one of our best guide in the French Alps, check out our portrait of Hela: a specialist of Bordeaux.
