Mont Blanc

Mont Blanc, the legend that watches over the Chamonix-Mont-Blanc Valley

You can’t miss it: the “Roof of Europe” is a true icon. As challenging for the mountaineers who seek to conquer it as it is magnificent for the enthusiasts who gaze upon it from the valley, Mont Blanc never disappoints!

This peak, the cradle of mountaineering, has lost none of its splendor. Its altitude, most recently measured in 2023, stands at 4,805 meters! There are numerous routes leading to its summit from France, Switzerland, or Italy.

The Ascent of Mont Blanc: The Story of a Mountain’s Conquest

As threatening as it is sublime, the highest peak in the Alps remained unexplored for a long time. The conquest of Mont Blanc was spearheaded by the scientist Horace Bénédicte de Saussure, who was eager to reach this peak visible from Geneva, his hometown. He offered a reward to anyone who could find a route to the summit.

The mountain owes its name, Mont Blanc, to Pierre Martel. This optician and mathematician, also from Geneva, was inspired by the dome of eternal snow that covers it.

On August 8, 1786, Michel Paccard and Jacques Balmat, both from Chamonix, reached the summit, and the following year, Horace Bénédicte de Saussure climbed it in turn, assisted by Jacques Balmat. These historic ascents literally “paved the way” for generations of guides and mountaineers.

Mont Blanc today    

Standing 4,807 metres high, Mont Blanc is climbed by around 20,000 mountaineers every year, mainly in summer. The usual route passes by the Le Goûter refuge, which was renovated in 2013. While it draws mountain lovers of every kind, the ascension of Mont Blanc requires considerable physical preparation and specific equipment. You also need to take the time to acclimatise to the altitude to avoid mountain sickness. It is recommended that you are accompanied by a mountain guide and remain vigilant, because weather conditions at the top can change quickly and considerably. 

The Tour of Mont Blanc is less physically demanding, although it requires good hiking skills. It attracts many amateur mountaineers. It stretches 170 kilometres through Switzerland, Italy and France and can be completed in part or in full with many variants. It takes seven to ten days to complete the full circuit. 

Wherever you are in the Chamonix-Mont-Blanc Valley, Mont Blanc always takes the starring role! Whether you are hiking in the valley or strolling through the town, its iconic silhouette will always be watching over you.

Mont Blanc: a mountaineer's concern