The valley is celebrating with the Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix

The Fêtes des Guides is taking place from 11^th to 15^th August throughout the Chamonix Valley. This event has been organised for nearly a century by the Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix, and raises funds for the company’s emergency fund, by putting on activities for all audiences.

 

Fête des Guides: the history

An absolute tradition in the valley, the Fête des Guides was created almost a century ago, on 15^th August 1924. Since then, the anniversary is celebrated every year by the Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix with a programme rich in cultural, sporting and gastronomic activities.

Originally, the Fête was organised with the aim of raising funds towards the Emergency Fund. This is still the case today.

A testament to the solidarity and link which unites the members of the Compagnie des Guides, the Emergency fun was founded in 1924, with the aim of providing for the needs of the guides and their families in the event of an accident or difficulty. 

Almost 100 years later, it still provides financial and psychological assistance in the face of adversity to members and their loved ones.

 

The programme by location

The Fête des Guides is taking place from 11^th to 15^th August 2022, every day in a different location in the valley.

 

11^th August 2022: Vallorcine

• 4 pm: vertical activities, discovery of the Aiguilles Rouges Nature reserve

• 7 pm: celebratory drinks with the Echo du Buet association

• 7 pm – 11pm: "Asados" (Argentinian grill), refreshments, Compagnie des Guides stand

• 8 pm: live music with Angus Newton

• 9.30 pm: Juke Joint concert and musical entertainment until midnight

 

12^th August 2022: Le Lavancher

• 10 am to 1 pm: Fête du Pain and sale of bread around the local bread oven

• 6 pm: drinks

• 7 pm: rustic meal, raffle, live music

• 8 pm: concert

 

13^th August 2022: Les Houches

• 3 pm – 6 pm: free activities for children (vertical activities at the Chavant climbing crag, treasure hunt...)

• 6 pm: refreshments, food and Compagnie des Guides stand

• 7 pm to 8 pm: musical entertainment with Vanco

• 9 pm: concert with Balthazar

• 9 pm: screening of films (“Les Encordés” by Pierre Cadot, “Félicité” by Pierre Hourticq) at the Espace Animation des Houches.

 

14^th August 2022: Argentière

• 10 am to 4 pm: vertical and sports activities for children and adults (zipline, climbing, slackline, walk), and musical animation with Pascal Popelier

• From 2 pm: refreshments and Compagnie des Guides stand

• 5.30 pm: departure of the procession towards the cemetery, traditional ceremony in front of the church

• 7 pm: drinks

• 8 pm: concerts with Grumpy Old Men, Philip Fankhauser, Les Réfugiés de Lognan, Les Yétis and a DJ set until 3 am.

 

15^th August 2022: Chamonix and Servoz

In Chamonix:

• 08.30 am: departure of the procession towards the Biollay cemetery

• 9 am to 11 am: traditional Guides Ceremony, 50 years of the Mountain Information Office (OHM)

• 11 am to 4 pm: activities at place du Triangle de l’Amitié (crafts, music…)

• 12.30 pm: meals for partners and VIPs at the Hôtel du Mont-Blanc

• 1.30 pm – 5 pm: vertical activities at Les Gaillands for children and adults, refreshments, and food

• 3 pm: round table discussion at the Majestic, “Everest 1952”

 

In Servoz:

• From 9 am to 4 pm: free vertical activities

• 10 am to 4 pm: refreshments and food

• 12 pm to 4 pm: concert with Hélène Schmutz

 

La Compagnie des Guides: More than 200 years of existence

A tragic accident on Mont Blanc was the reason for the creation of the Compagnie des Guides in 1821. Following this event, which claimed the lives of three guides – Auguste Tairraz, Pierre Carrier and Pierre Balmat – a solidarity fund was created to help their bereaved families, which lead to, almost a century later, the creation of the Emergency Fund. 

The Compagnie des Guides was created with 34 members including Jacques Balmat, the first to successfully climb Mont Blanc in 1786.

Over the years, the great names of mountaineering have marked its history, such as Michel Croz, Roger Frison Roche, Armand Charlet, Louis Lachenal and Maurice Herzog, Gaston Rébuffat, Lionel Terray, Gérard Devouassoux, Georges Payot, René Desmaison, Christophe Profit, Thierry Renault, Alain Ghersen, Jerome Ruby, Dédé Rhem…

Today, the Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix is made up of 160 mountain guides and 60 mountain leaders, also known as hiking guides. Each year, the Compagnie des Guides welcomes an average of between 3 and 5 new members to its ranks.

 

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Sources: Chamonix Guides Company, Chamonix.com.