Mer de Glace et train du Montenvers
The Refuge du Montenvers offers comfortable rooms (double, triple or family) as well as a dormitory with 10 beds, all in the atmosphere of a traditional mountain refuge.
Book directly with us an exceptional night at Refuge du Montenvers !
The famous rack-and-pinion train from Chamonix takes you to the Montenvers site at 1913 m. A breathtaking panorama of the Mer de Glace glacier, Les Drus and the Grandes Jorasses.
MER DE GLACE CABLE CAR
This gondola promises a unique experience, offering a breathtaking panoramic journey.
Get ready for an unforgettable experience in the heart of the mountains.
Whether you're looking for thrills or peace and quiet in the heart of nature, the new Mer de Glace gondola lift and the Grotte de Glace promise unforgettable memories.
ICE GROTTO
Discover the magic of the new Grotte de Glace, naturally sculpted by man "the grottus" in the ice.
This unique sensory experience will amaze visitors of all ages.
THE GLACIORIUM
The Montenvers site is a true witness to the climate changes of our century, and deserved a space dedicated to glaciology! The Sea of Ice, its formation, its history, its future evolution - this is what you can discover when you visit this interactive and educational site...
The total visit (cave and routes included) lasts an average of 2 to 3 hours. Visiting time may be doubled during peak periods.
RESTAURATION
There are 3 ways to eat: either a Savoyard or traditional meal at the Restaurant du Refuge du Montenvers, or fast food at the Bar des Glaciers, or the Panoramique restaurant overlooking the glacier!
HOTELLERIE
Le Refuge du Montenvers opened on July 1, 2017 after renovation by Maisons et Hôtels Sibuet, a leading player in mountain hotels for over 30 years.
Le Refuge du Montenvers offers a 10-bed dormitory, double and family rooms, as well as suites, all in a traditional mountain refuge atmosphere.
Child (5-14 years): 35 €
Family pass: 127.70 €.
Free entry for children under 5.
Group rate available for 20 people or more.
Return train ticket only: adult €31, child/senior 65+ €26.40, family €96.20. These tickets are only on sale at the Montenvers ticket office at the moment.
Vallée Blanche return: Return train + cable car + cave: Adult 33€ , child/senior 28,10€.
Site pass: cable car + cave without train adult €26, child/senior €22.10
This site is included in the MONT BLANC UNLIMITED PASS / Summer Multipass.
Trains run every hour and every 30/20 minutes depending on traffic.
Last return from the top station 5.30 pm
Last departure from Chamonix to visit the ice cave at 3:30 p.m.
From 01/09 to 14/09/2025 daily between 8.30 am and 5 pm.
Trains run every hour and every 30 minutes depending on traffic.
Last departure from Chamonix to visit the ice cave at 2:30 p.m.
From 15/09 to 02/11/2025 daily between 8.30 am and 4.30 pm.
Closed exceptionally on 06/10, 07/10 and 08/10.
ATTENTION Ice grotto closed from September 28th
Gondola lift closed from September 28 to October 18
A train every hour or every 30 minutes depending on traffic.
Last departure from Chamonix to visit the ice grotto at 2:00 p.m.
Subject to favorable weather.
74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc
Closest train station : Chamonix centre
Closest carparkss : Biolay (outside carpark), parking du Mont-Blanc (underground carpark).
It is possible to hike from the Montenvers towards the Plan de l'Aiguille: traversing via the grand balcon nord or take the descent to Chamonix via Les Planards or the village of Les Bois.
there are 2 car park places for disabled people below the Montenvers train station. The access to the Montenvers train station is on a sloping ground and requires to be accompanied. Let the people at the cash desks know that disabled people would like to go up with the Montenvers train then it is necessary to install access bars to let the wheel chairs go up in the train.
Adapted toilets are to be found on the right side at the arrival of the train. Across the arrival station of the train you'll find a large accessible esplanade from which you'll be able to enjoy the view over the glacier and the mythic summits above. To access the restaurant of the "Refuge du Montenvers" and the glaciorium nearby, the way is stony and requires some help.
The cable car allowing to come closer to the ice cave is adapted to disabled poeple and allows then to acess an esplanade from which you'll be able to have a closer view over the "Mer de Glace" glacier. The ice cave dug into the glacier remains unaccessible then 100 steps are to be found down until the ice cave.
