Montenvers - Mer de Glace
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.
New : the Glaciorium (opening on June 9th )
A world of discovery awaits you at the new exhibition centre at the Montenvers Mer de Glace. Here the creation and evolution of the glaciers over the centuries is explained in detail.
The “Galerie des cristaux” (Crystals Gallery) with its collection of items from Mont Blanc is 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.
| Period | First departure | Last return trip to visit the Ice cave | Last one way | Last return from the top | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| From Decembre 22nd to March 3rd, 2013 |
10:00am | Ice cave closed until December 26th, 2012 3:00pm |
4:00pm | 4:30pm | Every hours or 20-30 minutes, according to demand |
| From March 4th to April 30th, 2013 |
10:00am | 3:00pm | 4:30pm | 5:00pm | |
| From May 1st to July 5th, 2013 |
8:30am Departures from 9.00 and 17.30 Optional |
3:00pm Planned closure of the Gondola and Ice Cave from the evening of May 20th evening to June 08th, 2013 morning |
4:30pm | 5:00pm (Possible return train at 9:00am and 17.30 depending on demand) |
|
| From July 6th to September 1st, 2013 |
8:00am | 4:30pm | 6:00pm | 6:30pm | |
| From September 2nd to September 15th, 2013 |
8:30am Departures from 9.00 Optional |
3:30pm | 5:00pm Possible return train at 9:00am depending on demand | 5:30pm | |
| From September 16th to September 29th, 2013 |
8:30am Possible train at 9:00am and 5:00pm depending on demand |
3:00pm | 4:30pm | 5:00pm Possible return train at 9:30am depending on demand |
|
| From September 30th to October 18th, 2013 |
Annual closure | ||||
| From October 19th to November 3rd, 2013 |
10:00am | Ice cave and gondola closed | 4:00pm | 4:30pm | every 30 min or 20 min according to demand |
| From November 4th to December 20th, 2013 |
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 (subject VAT). |
| Categories | Chamonix- Montenvers Mer de Glace |
Montenvers - Mer de Glace - Chamonix : ascent or descent by train + visits (Vallée Blanche return) |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Package Voyage à la Mer de Glace : Return trip by train & gondola & visits |
One way | ||
| Adult (+16y.o) |
27,40 € | 22,00 € | |
| Young (4-15y.o) |
23,50 € | 18,70 € | |
| Family package* | 82,50 € | - | |
| Extra young | 13,80 € | - | |
|
Non contractual tariffs, opening dates, prices and conditions of sale may be subject to modification (subject VAT) For train ticket purchased : access to Gallery of Crystals |
Follow us...
Contact
Chamonix Tourist Office
Information : www.chamonix.comEmail : info@chamonix.com
Phone : +33(0)4 50 53 00 24
Opening timetable
Booking : booking.chamonix.com
Services
- Free WiFi- Tourism & the disabled
- On-line shop
- Download our brochures
Practical information
Book you stayWeather forecast
Webcams
Lifts
Our partners
OFFICES DE TOURISMECette marque prouve la conformité à la norme NF X 50-730 et aux règles de certification NF237. Elle garantit que les activités d'accueil et d'information, l'évaluation et l'amélioration de la qualité de service sont contrôlés régulièrement par AFNOR Certification.
11 rue Francis de Pressensé - 93571 La Plaine Saint-Denis Cedex - France - www.marque-nf.com
© copyright 2013 : Office de Tourisme de Chamonix - Tous droits réservés
On our social networks