Sunrise on Mont Blanc from above Morzine on the Col de Joux Plane
Morzine’s Col de Joux Plane mountain pass which takes you to Samoens in the next valley could be one of the most beautiful roads in Europe. This stunning drive winds up from Morzine at 1000m altitude to the Chalet du Col at 1691m. The views from the top are truly spectacular, looking across to Mont Blanc the highest mountain in the Alps and down the valley towards Lake Geneva. This famous Col features in many a bike race, the most well known obviously the Tour de France. It is also part of the annual Rallye de Mont Blanc.
A couple of weeks ago we took a drive to the highest point at the Chalet du Col which is situated next to a pretty little lake. We drove up in the early evening and pitched tents in this popular wild camping spot. We cooked dinner over an open fire and then lay back to watch the stars. From this point high above the towns of Morzine and Samoens the sky is so incredibly clear that you can see more stars than you thought possible. It is also possible to see the Milky Way and various planets.
Camping wild on the Col de Joux Plane near Morzine in the French Alps
In the morning we made the short walk to the top of Ranfolly to watch the sunrise overlooking both Mont Blanc and Morzine. It is really something to be seen, the sun brushing the tips of the majestic Mont Blanc mountain range with its snow covered peaks even in August. I count myself as very fortunate that I have sights so beautiful right on my doorstep here in the French Alps.