Aiguille du Midi Chamonix Mont Blanc: 3842m above sea level

The Aiguille du Midi Cable Car 

The Aiguille du Midi cable car leaves from the centre of Chamonix. It is a journey of two stages. The first brings visitors to the Plan de l'Aiguille (2300m). The second stage traverses Les Pelerins glacier before rising up the North Face of the Aiguille du Midi.

Often in summer time it is possible to spot climbers on their way up this face towards the summit of the Aiguille du Midi. From the top station (at 3842m) the view of the Alps is incredible.

The top station of the Aiguille du Midi has several terraces where visitors can take in the spectacular views of the Swiss, French and Italian Alps. On a clear day it is possible to see the Matterhorn, Monta Rosa and the Grand Combin.

An elevator inside the rock rises the final 42m to the top terrace at 3842m. This is the closest you can get to the Mont Blanc without climbing.

Check here for the dates and times of the Aiguille du Midi Cable Car!

You can also check here the lift prices for the Aiguille du Midi, the Montenvers Train and the Panoramic Mont Blanc to Point Helbronner.

Watch here LIVE the webcams of Chamonix.net, all the webcams of the Chamonix Valley, including the Aiguille du Midi webcam.

 

History of the Aiguille du Midi Cable Car in Chamonix at 3482m

The Aiguille du Midi lift was first thought of by two Swiss engineers in 1905. Their plan was to link the hamlet of Les Pelerins with the summit of l'Aiguille du Midi. The project met technical problems and was abandoned. Four years later a French company, Funicular Railways, made a new attempt and the first section Les Pelerins - La Para was opened in 1924.

The second section La Para - Les Glaciers was completed three years later. It was then the highest cable car in the world. With the outbreak of the WWII and the opening of the Planpraz to Brevent cable car, the popularity of the Aiguille du Midi diminished and it was closed in 1951. An Italian engineer Count Dino Lora Totino was called in to rebuild and extend the cable car.

Four years and a lot of hard work later, the new Aiguille du Midi cable car was finally completed. It was entirely renovated in 1991.

 

The Plan de l'Aiguille at 2354m

Plan de l'Aiguille (2354) is the mid station of the Aiguille du Midi cable car. It is an ideal starting point for all sorts of sports including off piste skiing in the winter season, and hiking, climbing, and paragliding in the summer/autumn seasons.

A great day excursion is to walk from the Plan d'Aiguille to the Montenvers Train Station and Mer de Glace and take the train back down to Chamonix (or vice versa).

One of the Mont Blanc climbing itineraries (via the Grands Mulets refuge) starts here. 

 

Aiguille du Midi Restaurants and Services

The restaurant at the top of the Aiguille du Midi is called the "3842" and is one of the highest restaurants in the world. Gourmet and regional food is on the menu.

There is also a cafeteria and a snack bar. The Aiguille du Midi has its own postage stamp and a letterbox. Postcards and stamps are available in the souvenir shops.

More info on Aiguille du Midi Restaurants here.

 

Panoramic Mont Blanc Cable Car

A further journey into the high mountain landscape surrounding the Aiguille du Midi can be made by the Panoramic Mont Blanc lift which is the highest cable car traverse in the world and which connects France and Italy.

The 5 km journey from the top station of the Aiguille de Midi to Point Helbronner crosses the Mont Blanc Massif. Count on two hours roundtrip from the summit of the Aiguille du Midi, 4-5 hours from the the bottom station in Chamonix. It is also possible to take another cable car down from Point Helbronner down into the La Palud area of Courmayeur, Italy.

Chamonix Ski Area map

The Benefits of the CHAMONIX LE PASS ski pass:

Mont Blanc Unlimited and Chamonix Le Pass

All the Ski passes prices of the Chamonix valley ski resorts: The Mont Blanc Unlimited  and the Chamonix Le Pass, Winter Season and Annual

Snow Chains in Winter, how to fit it on...
Are you struggling to put snow chains on your tyres? Let us show you how...
Montenvers Train to Mer de Glace
The Montenvers Train & the Mer de Glace
Chamonix Ski Pass, all the info you need to know is here...

Planning a first visit to Chamonix – FAQs

The Chamonix Bus
Bus system within the Chamonix Valley
The Mont Blanc Express at Argentiere Station

Trains in the Chamonix Valley

Chamonix Leisure Park of Planards in Winter
Presentations of the Chamonix Leisure Park of Planards
Jacquemoud sets a new Mont-Blanc speed record: May 2013 Mont Blanc Summit ridge

On May 14th 2013, Math

New car wash service is now available in Chamonix, it's called Gorilla Eco Valet

A new service is available in the Chamonix valley.

Summer 2013: Gendarmes patrol two main routes to summit of Mont Blanc

During the climbing season (June to September), police information and, when

Landslide threatens two villages near Courmayeur Mont de la Saxe threatens the Commune of Courmayeur

Since last Saturday, April 20, 2013, the Italian town of Courmayeur Mont Blan

PGHM fatality during training exercise near Chamonix Rescue Training. Souce: PGHM Chamonix

A member of the Chamon

Mont-Blanc downhill speed record: attempt on hold due to lack of snow

After a final inspection of the course this morning, Tuesday April 23rd 2013,

Attempt on Mont-Blanc descent speed record April 24th 2013 Mont Blanc north face

The record, for the fastest descent of Mont-Blanc is held by the Catalan, Kil

Closing dates of the ski areas of ​​Chamonix Mont-Blanc

This year, thanks to the excellent snow conditions throughout the Chamonix Va


26 Apr 2013 - 31 Aug 2013
From Fri 26 Apr to Sat 31 Aug 2013
Hôtel le Prieuré
74400 Chamonix Mont-Blanc
15 Dec 2012 - 15 Jun 2013
74400 Chamonix
19 rue Whymper
Galerie Mario Colonel
From 15th December 2012 to 15th June 2013

14 May 2013
13 May 2013
26 April 2013
3 April 2013
29 March 2013
28 March 2013
28 March 2013
27 March 2013