
Mer de Glace et train du Montenvers
Hop on the famous rack-and-pinion railway, which takes passengers from Chamonix to the tourist site of Montenvers at an altitude of 1,913 m. Enjoy a spectacular panoramic view of the Mer de Glace glacier, the Drus and the Grands Jorasses
ICE CAVE
On the spot, the visit of the ice cave is a journey to the heart of the glacier, re-cut each year, it describes the life of the mountain dwellers of the beginning of the 19th century. It is accessible either by a footpath, about 20 minutes walk, or by gondola: be careful, about 580 steps separate the arrival of the gondola from the entrance to the cave.
THE GLACIORIUM
The Montenvers site is a true witness to the climatic 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 by visiting this interactive and educational place...
The total visit (cave and routes included) lasts on average 2 to 3 hours. The visit time can be doubled during busy periods.
RESTAURATION
To eat, there are 3 possibilities: either a Savoyard or traditional meal at the Restaurant du Refuge du Montenvers, or a quick meal at the Bar des Glaciers.
HOTELLING
The Refuge du Montenvers was opened on July 1, 2017 after renovation by the label Maisons et Hôtels Sibuet, a leading player in the mountain hotel industry for over 30 years.
The Refuge du Montenvers offers a dormitory with 10 beds, double rooms and family rooms, as well as suites, all in a traditional mountain refuge atmosphere.
Child (5-14 years): 31.50 €
Family pass: 114.80 €
Disabled: 50% discount when presenting an invalidity card + 50% for the accompanying person.
Free entry for children < 5 years.
Group rate available for > 20 people.
Ascent or Descent + visits (Summer)
Adult: €29,50
Child and senior: €25,10
Return "Vallée Blanche" + visit (winter)
Adult : €30
Child and senior : €25,50
The train and the visit is included in the MONT BLANC Multipass.
Opening hours daily between 10 am and 4.30 pm.
Last ascent daily at 4 pm.
Last descent daily at 4.30 pm.
Departure every hour, then every 30minutes in the afternoon depending crowd
Departure of the last train to visit the Ice cave at 14:30.
From 18/03 to 30/04/2023
Opening hours daily between 10 am and 5.30 pm.
Last ascent daily at 4.30 pm.
Last descent daily at 5.30 pm.
Departure every hour, and every 30 minutes in the afternoon
Departure of the last train to visit the Ice cave at 3pm.
Subject to favorable weather.
74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc
Closest train station : Chamonix centre
Closest parkings : Biolay (outside parking), place du Mont-Blanc (underground parking).
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.