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Espace Tairraz

Musée des Cristaux renovated in 2021 and Espace Alpinisme in the heart of Chamonix: nearly 1,900 mineralogical specimens from Mont-Blanc and the Northern Alps.

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Display cases of Mont-Blanc crystals and minerals at the Espace Tairraz in central Chamonix
Robert M. Lavinsky · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
At a glance
Type
Mineralogical and mountaineering museum, CCVCMB network
Access
Paid
Price
Adult €8 · Reduced €5.50 · Under 18 free · Museum Pass €25/year
Duration
1 to 1.5 hours
Best season
Year-round · July-August morning and afternoon
Parking
Saint-Michel car park (covered, 308 spaces, paid) beneath the museum
Animals
Not admitted (except assistance dogs)
Stroller / Reduced mobility
Accepted, wheelchair access via Saint-Michel car park
Town
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc
Wheelchair access
Accessible Source: Office de tourisme Chamonix-Mont-Blanc

Official source →

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Price

Plein tarif adulte
8,00 €Musée des Cristaux et Espace Alpinisme
Tarif réduit
5,50 €Carte d'hôte, résident, saisonnier, +65 ans, étudiants, familles nombreuses, PMR-PSH, demandeurs d'emploi
Groupe adultes (10+)
5,50 €Sur réservation par e-mail
Groupe enfants (10+)
3,60 €Sur réservation
Pass Musées CCVCMB annuel
25,00 €Accès illimité 1 an aux 6 sites du réseau

What is Espace Tairraz

The Espace Tairraz is a twin museum in the heart of Chamonix, on the Saint-Michel car-park forecourt: it combines the Crystal Museum (renovated in 2021) and the Mountaineering Centre. Run by the Communauté de Communes de la Vallée de Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (CCVCMB), it is part of the same network as the future Musée du Mont-Blanc and the Maison de la Mémoire Janny Couttet.

The Crystal Museum displays nearly 1,900 mineralogy pieces from the collections of the Musée Alpin and the Chamonix–Mont-Blanc and Northern Alps Mineralogy Club. The collection is internationally renowned, with an exceptional set of pink-red fluorites, smoky quartz, axinites, siderites and epidotes, most of them from the Mont-Blanc massif. The temporary exhibition 'Trésor minéral: the Raymond Thibault collection' runs until December 2027.

Fares: adult €8, reduced €5.50, free under 18. Guided tours on Thursdays at 2.15 pm and 4.15 pm during French school holidays, led by a crystal-hunter from the Mineralogy Club. The CCVCMB Museum Pass at €25/year covers six valley sites. Easy wheelchair access via a direct lift from the Saint-Michel car park.

Activities

What you can do here

Practical

Practical information

Address
615 allée du Recteur Payot, forecourt of the Saint-Michel car park, 74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (NOT Place du Triangle de l'Amitié, which is the Tourist Office) View on map
Coordinates
≈ 45.922° N · 6.87° E (to verify on Géoportail)
Altitude
1,048 m (Chamonix centre)
Hours
4 May – 30 June 2026: Tuesday to Sunday 2pm–6pm, closed Monday. 1 July – 31 August 2026: Tuesday to Sunday 10am–1pm and 2pm–6pm, closed Monday. Closed 1 January, 1 May, 25 December. Verified on the official website on 23 May 2026 — subject to seasonal changes.
Booking
No online booking. Tickets sold on site at the Espace Tairraz desk. Guided tours and groups (10+) by reservation via email musee-cristaux@ccvcmb.fr or phone +33 (0)4 50 54 78 39. Verified 23 May 2026.
Parking
Saint-Michel car park (covered, 308 spaces, paid) directly beneath the museum. Chamonix Parc Auto offices inside the car park. Direct lift to museum level.
Pets
Not admitted (museum with sensitive collections). Assistance dogs accepted on presentation of a card.
Accessibility
EXCELLENT wheelchair accessibility: direct lift from the Saint-Michel car park. Ramp with sloped sections from the Tourist Office. Museum fully accessible to wheelchairs. Reduced rate for disabled visitors €5.50. Verified 23 May 2026.
Visit duration
1 to 1.5 hours depending on the route taken and any temporary exhibitions
Contact
+33 (0)4 50 54 78 39 · musee-cristaux@ccvcmb.fr. Verified 23 May 2026.
Access

How to get there

By car

From the A40 motorway, Chamonix Sud or Nord exit, follow 'Centre-Ville' then 'Parking Saint-Michel'. The Saint-Michel car park is directly beneath Espace Tairraz, with lift access. Paid parking.

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Public transport

Chamonix Bus network stop 'Chamonix Centre' close by. Mulet shuttle stop 'Casino' 200 m away. Chamonix-Mont-Blanc SNCF station (Mont-Blanc Express) 400 m away. Guest card = free Chamonix Bus travel.

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By bike

Bike parking in the pedestrian centre. Mont-Blanc cycle path in the valley.

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Nearest stops

  • CASINO · Chamonix Bus · 04 · 107 m
  • HELBRONNER · Chamonix Bus · 04, 10 · 139 m
  • CHAMONIX CENTRE · Chamonix Bus · 01, 02, 03, 10, 21, C, N1, V2 · 211 m

Transport data verified on 2026-06-15 · source transport.data.gouv.fr (Licence Etalab 2.0)

Parking

Saint-Michel car park (covered, 308 spaces, paid) beneath the museum

  • Allobroges · Paid · 162 m · Go →
  • Parking de l'Outa · Paid · 181 m · Go →
  • Free · 210 m · Go →

Parking checked on 2026-06-15 · © les contributeurs d'OpenStreetMap sous licence ODbL

When to visit

When to visit

Espace Tairraz can be visited year-round with a seasonal rhythm. The July-August high season offers extended hours (Tuesday to Sunday 10am-1pm and 2pm-6pm), ideal for combining with a rainy day or a relaxing afternoon after a high-altitude excursion. May-June and September, afternoon opening only (2pm-6pm), Tuesday to Sunday, closed Monday. The museum is the go-to option for bad weather in Chamonix thanks to direct access from the Saint-Michel car park. The Thursday guided tours (2:15pm and 4:15pm) during French school holidays are not to be missed to discover the passion of a local crystal hunter. Combinable with the future Musée du Mont-Blanc (opening 11 July 2026) and the Maison de la Mémoire Janny Couttet via the CCVCMB Museum Pass at €25/year — the major economic argument for multiple visits in the valley.
Events : Guided tours with a crystal hunter on Thursdays at 2:15pm and 4:15pm during French school holidays. Temporary exhibition 'Mineral Treasure: the Raymond Thibault collection' until December 2027. Mineral fairs by the Chamonix Mineralogy Club announced on musee-alpin-chamonix.fr.
Nearby

Where to eat, drink, stay

Photos

Gallery

Been there? Share your photos — we'll add them to this page with credit. Tag #loisirs74 or email photos@loisirs74.fr

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How do I book at Espace Tairraz?

Espace Tairraz operates on a walk-in basis during opening hours, no booking needed for individual visits. Guided tours and groups (10+) by reservation via email musee-cristaux@ccvcmb.fr or phone +33 (0)4 50 54 78 39.

What are the prices at Espace Tairraz?

Espace Tairraz: full adult price €8, reduced price €5.50 (guest card, resident, over 65s, students, large families, disabled visitors, jobseekers). Group (10+) €5.50/€3.60. Free under 18. CCVCMB Museum Pass €25/year (6 sites). Verified 23 May 2026.

What are the opening hours of Espace Tairraz?

Espace Tairraz: 4 May - 30 June 2026 Tuesday-Sunday 2pm-6pm, closed Monday. July-August Tuesday-Sunday 10am-1pm and 2pm-6pm. Closed 1 January, 1 May, 25 December. Verified on the official website on 23 May 2026 — subject to seasonal changes.

What can you see at Espace Tairraz?

Espace Tairraz features the Musée des Cristaux (1,900 mineralogical specimens from the Mont-Blanc massif and the Northern Alps, renovated in 2021) and the Espace Alpinisme. Chamonix Mineralogy Club collections: fluorites, smoky quartz, axinites, siderites.

Is there a Museum Pass at Espace Tairraz?

Yes. The CCVCMB Museum Pass at €25/year gives unlimited access to Espace Tairraz and the 5 other sites in the network: the future Musée du Mont-Blanc (July 2026), Maison de la Mémoire J. Couttet, Musée Montagnard des Houches, Maison du Lieutenant in Servoz, Maison de Barberine in Vallorcine.

Is Espace Tairraz wheelchair accessible?

Yes, excellent accessibility. Espace Tairraz is fully wheelchair accessible via a direct lift from the Saint-Michel car park. Ramp with sloped sections from the Tourist Office. Reduced rate for disabled visitors €5.50.

Does Espace Tairraz offer guided tours?

Yes. Espace Tairraz offers guided tours led by a crystal hunter from the Chamonix Mineralogy Club on Thursdays at 2:15pm and 4:15pm during French school holidays. Field anecdotes, identification demonstrations, shared passion.

How do I get to Espace Tairraz from the train station?

Espace Tairraz is 400 m from Chamonix-Mont-Blanc SNCF station (Mont-Blanc Express). On foot 6 min. By bus: Chamonix Bus stop 'Chamonix Centre'. Mulet shuttle stop 'Casino'. Saint-Michel car park directly beneath the museum with lift.

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Sources

Sources & verification

Multi-source verification at publication. Information may change — confirm with the official operator before travelling.

Published 23 mai 2026·Updated 11/07/26

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