Yep - crowds can be a problem in Euroland... try to pick routes with a few options nearby. We especially found that in the Dolo's - we waited and hour and a half on a belay one day (before bailing from boredom) as several teams piled up behind one slow party. We decided not to get on a route behind too many people again and haven't had a problem since, but have bailed on our first choice route for the day and found something else nearby instead several times.
Around Cham, more votes for Envers, some good routes near Requin too - and it made Envers seem positively crowded - we were there for 4 days and only met one other team of climbers, but looking over at envers there were teams all over the first point of nantillions. Over the back of the Auguilles Rouge the routes on Pouce are worth a look... plenty of good stuff around Cham... and the further from a lift, the quieter you get.
Lift passes - check out the non consecutive day passes 10, 15 and 21 days aren't really advertised but make it a lot cheaper if you are using the expensive lifts like the Midi.
And with an alpine club membership but doing your own food, the CAF huts become much more affordable (11-15 a night). Bivvying seems pretty well tolerated too - many of the CAF huts let you use their toilets and maybe their cooking room if they have one, although they like to be asked epsecially in the smaller huts.