The Montenvers Train & the Mer de Glace
The Mer de Glace, the Ice Cave and the Montenvers Train are one of the biggest attractions in the Chamonix valley. The Mer de Glace is the largest glacier in France, 7kms long and 200m deep. In the winter, thousands of skiers follow the glacier down to the Montenvers Railway station after skiing the famous "Vallee Blanche".
To access the Mer de Glace and the Ice Cave in Chamonix, you should take the little train of the Montenvers. The Montenvers train leaves from Chamonix town center (Gare du Montenvers).
For more information on opening times and dates of the Montenvers train that takes you to the Mer de Glace, click here.
See also here the rates and prices for the Train Montenvers
The Montenvers Railway
The Montenvers Railway was the first custom built tourist attraction in the valley. It started operating in 1908.
The funicular railway departs from Chamonix and makes its way up the sides of the Aiguilles de Chamonix to an altitude of 1913 m.
The station at Montenvers has a cafe and a restaurant from where there are spectacular views of some of the most prestigious peaks in Chamonix. Les Drus (3754m), Les Grands Jorasses (4205m) and the Aiguille du Grepon (3482m). The station is poised on a rocky ridge overlooking the Mer de Glace glacier.
Take the cable car from the station on to the glacier to visit the Ice Grotto (see below). View the animal museum and an exhibition of beautiful mountain crystals found in the region.
In summer there are great alpine walks to the Plan de l'Aiguille and the valley floor.
The Ice Grotto/Cave
A small cable-car allows visitors to descend from the train station onto the Mer de Glace glacier where they can enter a man made ice grotto.A collection of ice sculptures and caves are inside under the glacier.
The grotto has to be dug out every summer since the glaciers are moving about 70m every year. In the winter the Grotto is replaced by a small ice museum.
The Montenvers Hotel
This legendary restaurant possesses an authentic cachet and offers quality cuisine. At midday, enjoy the terrace with its view of the Drus and the Grandes Jorasses.
Evenings by reservation only, for groups, conferences, weddings, private parties (return train trip meal).
For more informations:
35, place de la Mer de Glace
74400 Chamonix
+33 (0)4 50 53 22 75
