Les Houches: the official starting point of the Tour du Mont Blanc
Les Houches is the counter-clockwise starting village of the TMB, at 1,008m altitude in the Chamonix valley. From the hamlet of Le Fouilly and the Bellevue gondola, thousands of hikers set off every summer for 7 to 11 days of trekking around the massif. The first challenge before the first step: finding a secure long-stay parking spot. The village's public car parks fill up at dawn in high season, and time limits rule out any TMB-length stay. ParkTMB connects you with local homeowners — just steps from the start.
Why avoid the public car parks at the TMB start in Les Houches?
- Bellevue gondola car park: This is the "obvious" car park for starting the TMB. Result: full by 7:30am in July and August, often as early as June weekends. Duration is unofficially limited — several hikers have come back to a parking ticket or, worse, no car at all.
- Village and church car park: Blue zone, limited to 2 hours maximum. Unusable for a long-stay trek.
- Roadsides and forest tracks: The temptation is real. But towing incidents are reported every season by hikers who left their car on "usual" unregulated spots.
- Paid car parks in the valley: Further from the trail, inconsistent night-time surveillance, and rates comparable to ParkTMB offers without the guarantee of availability.
The advantages of our private parking in Les Houches
With ParkTMB, your car stays on a secure private property held by a verified local resident. This isn't a repurposed supermarket car park — it's a spot with locals who know the TMB and understand what this departure means.
- ✓Spot guaranteed in your name, reserved for the entire duration of your trek
- ✓Fenced and lit spot on enclosed private property
- ✓Reachable host in case of the unexpected (delay, extended stay)
- ✓Direct contact with your host, free cancellation up to 48h before
- ✓From €8/day — about €72 for a standard 9-day TMB
Guaranteed security for your vehicle during your trek
Access to the Tour du Mont Blanc trail from our car parks
Our car parks are located within 300 to 800m of the official start of the Tour du Mont Blanc:
- On foot: 5 to 10 minutes to the hamlet of Le Fouilly, the walking start of the GR TMB trail, or to the Bellevue gondola ticket office.
- Bellevue gondola: Direct ride up to the Les Houches ridge, the first stage of the TMB. Open from 8am during summer season (June–September).
- Chamonix Mont-Blanc bus: The "Les Houches Télécabine" stop is less than 200m from our spots. Direct connections to Chamonix-centre and Saint-Gervais.
Are there free car parks in Les Houches for the TMB?
Yes, two free car parks are known to hikers in Les Houches: Le Prarion and the Bellevue gondola car park, right next to the official start of the TMB. Handy for a short stop, but they raise a real problem for a 7 to 10-day trek.
The risks of free parking over several days
- Full by 7am in peak summer season — arrive late and you may leave with no solution at all.
- No surveillance: these public car parks are neither fenced nor monitored while you're away for several days.
- Risk of damage or theft, with no recourse and no identifiable party responsible.
- Risk of towing for extended stays beyond local tolerances, which are sometimes not even posted on site.
To leave with total peace of mind, book a spot with a local host through ParkTMB: a private, secure parking spot guaranteed in your name for your entire Tour du Mont-Blanc — the peace-of-mind solution.
FAQ: Your TMB Parking in Les Houches
Can I really leave my car for 11 days in Les Houches?
Yes. Our hosts offer private spots for 1 to 14 days. Unlike public car parks with time limits, your spot is reserved in your name for your entire trek, with no risk of fines or towing.
What is the price for a 9-day TMB?
From €8/day, so €72 for 9 days. The exact rate depends on the host and amenities (covered, camera, power outlet…). You see the final price before confirming, no hidden fees.
What if I return later than expected?
Let your host know via our messaging. In most cases, an extension is possible at the same daily rate. Our team is available to help facilitate the exchange.
Is ParkTMB parking secure at night?
Yes. All our spots in Les Houches are on fenced, lit private properties. Your vehicle is never left in a public space. Some hosts have CCTV cameras.
Explore other Tour du Mont Blanc starting points
Each TMB starting point offers a different experience. Compare long-stay parking options from other villages: