In reply to Doug: I didn't think it was too bad (I did lead that bit), but opinions of chimneys do tend to be a personal thing. I was glad I was wearing rock boots for the stated crux corner higher up (my lead again) but my mate climbed both bits in big boots without a problem.
However, it was a good while ago when we did it and the route will only have got more polished since, so the opinion of someone that's climbed it more recently would be useful. There's a picture of the Petits Charmoz and the AiguilleDe L'M here
https://www.flickr.com/photos/8411024@N08/8094089975/ but I suspect warming will have caused the glacier to shrink back quite markedly; again, a more recent image would carry more weight and a search through the photos on this site might be useful.
Good day out though.
T.