Fodor's Expert Review Musée Alpin

Chamonix was little more than a quiet mountain village until a group of Englishmen "discovered" the spot in 1741 and sang its praises far and wide. The town became forever tied to mountaineering when Horace de Saussure offered a reward for the first Mont Blanc ascent in 1760. Learn who took home the prize at the town's Musée Alpin, which documents the history of mountaineering; exhibits include handmade skis, early sleds, boots, skates, and mementos from every area of Alpine climbing lore.