Les Gaillands lies within a couple of hundred metres of the hustle and bustle of Chamonix. It's a little oasis from the crowds, traffic and shops. It's really just a little lake, a rock wall and a pretty good view but for me, it's so much more...
The lake itself has some pretty awesome views. In one direction is the Bossons Glacier over shadowed by Mt Blanc itself and in the other direction are the Aiguilles Dru and Vert.
Les Gaillands is where the cool kids hang out. The rock face attracts climbers of all abilities - from those tackling the wall itself, to those using it as training for bigger, higher and riskier adventures. I can sit for hours watching the climbers get prepared and then inch their way up to the top only to launch themselves back down to the bottom.
For me, Les Gaillands is a place for contemplation, to sit by the lake and gaze at the light changing on the Bosons Glacier or watch the ducks silently cruising on the water. I go there to think, be inspired by nature and watch the human endeavours of the climbers on the rock face. It is the essence of Chamonix.
