Europe's highest peak is Mont Blanc at 4,810.9 m on the France-Italy border — "white mountain," as everyone knows. First climbed in 1786 by Jacques Balmat and Michel Paccard; some 20,000 climbers visit yearly. Not the hardest for experts; guided tours are available.
The base town Chamonix is famous. Its square holds statues of Balmat and Paccard setting out "for Mont Blanc." A ski resort draws crowds; the first Winter Olympics were held here in 1924 — birthplace of the Winter Games.
From Chamonix, Mont Blanc's broad mass contrasts with the sharp Aiguilles du Midi — "needles" in a serrated ridge.
The grueling Tour du Mont Blanc starts and ends in Chamonix, circling 175 km across France, Italy, and Switzerland. Many Japanese join.
Many tours view Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn. Mainichi Travel on Palaceside Building B1 has brochures.