Chamonix town center wine bar with Mont Blanc view

What to do there

3 things to do

1. 1

   Drink What Four Canadians Dreamed Up in 2002

   history Price: moderate

   In March 2002, four Canadians with a dream and probably too much confidence opened Chamonix's first microbrewery. MBC started brewing craft beer when the French wine establishment thought it was heresy. Twenty years later, they're an institution - and they've added wine to the menu without losing their identity. Ask the bartender about the founding story. Order one beer and one Savoie wine to honor both traditions. Budget €15-25 for a proper tasting.

   Log Memory
2. 2

   Find the Thursday Wine Tasting the Tourists Miss

   Optional

   wine Price: moderate

   Thursday evenings, MBC runs wine-focused tastings that most visitors never find because they're too busy drinking beer. Ask about 'vin de la vallée' - they rotate small Savoie producers from the valley who don't export. The staff know wine as well as they know beer. If Thursday doesn't work, ask any night for their off-menu wine selection - they keep bottles for regulars. Budget €20-35 for a proper tasting flight.

   Log Memory
3. 3

   Claim the Mont Blanc Terrace at Golden Hour

   adventure Free

   The outdoor terrace faces Mont Blanc directly - but only 8 tables have the unobstructed view. Arrive by 5pm in winter (6pm in summer) to claim one before the après-ski crowd arrives. Order a glass of Jacquère and watch the mountain turn pink as the sun sets. This is the locals' ritual - tourists stay inside. The moment Mont Blanc catches the last light while you're holding a glass of alpine wine is why you came here.

   Log Memory

Insider Tips

• Ask for "vins de la vallée" - they keep rotating Savoie selections

• The outdoor terrace has Mont Blanc views in summer

• Thursday evenings feature wine-focused tastings