Chamonix valley and Mont-Blanc massif official website - Sunday February 5th - 00:22
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Montenvers - Mer de Glace

Train du MontenversEntrée de la grotte de glaceGrand hôtel du Montenvers

Timetable

Rates

Map and real-time info


The famous little rack railway

The Montenvers rack railway starts from Chamonix and, in 20 minutes and in total safety, reaches the bottom of the Mer de Glace (1,913 m), France’s largest glacier (7km long, 200 m thick). This historic site marked the start of Alpine tourism in the 19th century and offers a panoramic view of famous peaks such as Les Drus and Les Grandes Jorasses.


The tour of the “Grotte de glace” (Ice Cave) takes visitors into the very heart of the glacier. Re-sculpted every year, it describes the life of mountain people in the early 19th century. It can be entered either by a walk of around 20 minutes on a footpath, or by gondola lift. NB: There are more than 300 steps from the arrival of the gondola lift to the entrance to the cave.

The “Galerie des cristaux” (Crystals Gallery) with its collection of items from Mont Blanc and the “Glacioriulm” are also included in the tour.

The complete tour (including the cave and travelling time) takes an average of 2 to 3 hours. The time required for the tour may be doubled during peak periods.

Hill-walks include the hike from Montenvers to Plan de l'Aiguille via the Grand Balcon Nord hill-walking trail, and also the return descent down to Chamonix via Les Planards or Les Bois village.

There are two choices for eating: either fast food at the railway station buffet or else a Savoie or traditional meal in the Grand Hôtel in Montenvers, a place full of history and authenticity built in 1880.

In the summer, the hotel serves its original main purpose, i.e., accommodating mountaineers, travellers and adventurers, just as it did in the late 19th century. With its nine rooms and its dormitory, it has retained the charm and simplicity of bygone days.

Montenvers timetables
Period First departure Last return trip to visit the Ice cave Last one way Last return from the top Frequency
From December 17th, 2011 to March 2nd, 2012 10:00am 3:00pm 4:00pm 4:30pm Every hours or 20-30 minutes, according to demand
From May 1st, 2012 to July 6th, 2012 8:30am
Optional trains of 9:00am and 5:30pm		 3:30pm 5:00pm 5:30pm
Optional trains of 9:30am
From July 7th, 2012 to August 26th, 2012 8:00am 4:30pm 6:00pm 6:30pm
From August 27th, 2012 to September 16th, 2012 8:30am
Optional trains of 9:00am and 5:30pm		 3:30pm 5:00pm 5:30pm
Optional trains of 9:30am
From September 17th, 2012 to October 7th, 2012 8:30am
Optional trains of 9:00am		 3:00pm 4:30pm 5:00pm
Optional trains of 9:30am
From October 27th, 2012 to November 7th, 2012 10:00am 2:30pm
Closure risk for gondola and Ice cave		 4:00pm 4:30pm
From November 8th, 2012 to December 14th, 2012 10:00am-12:00am-2:00pm-3:00pm-4:00pm Ice cave and gondola closed 4:00pm 11:30am-1:30pm-2:30pm-3:30pm-4:30pm

Non contractual tariffs, opening dates, prices and conditions of sale may be subject to modification
Montenvers Rates
Chamonix
-
Montenvers Mer de Glace		 Montenvers
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Mer de Glace		 Montenvers – Mer de Glace – Chamonix : ascent or descent by train + visits
Package Voyage à la Mer de Glace : Return trip by train & gondola & visits Package on the site : Return trip by gondola + visits One way
Adult
(+16y.o)		 26,40 € 12,20 € 20,30 €
Young
(4-15y.o)		 22,30 € 10,10 € 17,20 €
Family package* 79,10 € - -
Extra young 13,20 € - -

Non contractual tariffs, opening dates, prices and conditions of sale may be subject to modification (subject VAT).

*Family: 2 adults (parents or grandparents) + 2 young from the same family.

Extra young = 50% of additional adult public rate

** Winter: 01/12/11 to 30/04/12 – Summer: 01/05/12 to 30/11/12

For train ticket purchased : access to Gallery of Crystals