![]() The panorama at Montenvers is exceptional, with the Mer de Glace and the impressive “needle” of the Drus. The gondolas on their way down to the Mer de Glace © French Moments The Montenvers Train at the upper station © French Moments The site of Montenvers © French Moments On arrival at the Montenvers upper station, visitors can opt for a 20-minute walk or a short gondola ride down into an ice cave carved out of the Mer de Glace (in summer only). One of the former locomotives of the Montenvers Train © French Moments Until the railway line was electrified in 1953. Visitors embarked on trains pulled by steam locomotives. The inauguration of the first section of the line took place in 1909. View of the Chamonix valley from the Montenvers train © French Moments Abord the Montenvers Train © French Moments Climbing to Montenvers © French Moments Chamonix from the Montenvers train © French Moments The Dru Needle from the Montenvers train © French Moments Onboard, you can admire the beautiful mountain landscape dominating Chamonix’s valley. The line is 5.1 km long, and trains take 20 minutes, running at 14 to 20 kph. The Montenvers mountain railway (Chemin de fer du Montenvers) is a train service that departs from Chamonix and goes up to the Montenvers Hotel (1.913 m). Get ready for a day of unforgettable natural wonders and exhilarating adventures in the heart of the Alps.Įxplore the Mer de Glace with the Montenvers Railway The Montenvers train arrives at the Mer de Glace © French Moments Experiencing an unforgettable ride on the world-famous cable car.Witnessing awe-inspiring vistas of Mont-Blanc from the summit of Aiguille du Midi, and.Marvelling at the mesmerizing beauty of the Arve Valley during a delightful drive to Chamonix,.Prepare to be awe-struck by the breathtaking panoramas as you traverse dramatic mountain landscapes by train and cable car. Alongside the St Gotthard and the Fréjus tunnels, it ranks as one of the significant trans-Alpine transport routes.Įmbark on a scenic journey through the picturesque Arve Valley from Geneva to the charming resort of Chamonix, nestled at the foot of Mont-Blanc, Europe’s highest peak. It runs beneath the mountain just under the Aiguille du Midi. Since 1965, Chamonix has been linked to Courmayeur in the Aosta Valley by the 11.6 km long Mont Blanc Tunnel. Honestly, the magnificent surroundings make Chamonix so much worth a visit. Balconies in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc © French Moments The parish church of Chamonix-Mont-Blanc © French Moments Mont-Blanc from the town centre of Chamonix-Mont-Blanc © French Moments 60,000 visitors enter the Valley of Chamonix in Winter andĪpart from admiring the former palaces that once hosted famous visitors, there is little interest in the town itself.Ĭheck out the delicate balcony railings here and there, Art Nouveau architecture reminiscent of the Belle Epoque era.However, it faces crucial demographic variations depending on the tourist seasons: The population of Chamonix-Mont-Blanc accounts for approximately 9,000. Chamonix from the Aiguille du Midi © French MomentsĬhamonix-Mont-Blanc: a dynamic resort! In the town centre of Chamonix-Mont-Blanc © French Moments Napoleon III at the Mer de Glace in September 1860īut Chamonix owes its fantastic development as a skiing resort to the first Winter Olympic Games held in 1924. The imperial visit contributed to the fame of the village. From there, they admired the Mer de Glace. The following morning, the imperial couple got up early to climb the Montenvers summit. ![]() On 2 September 1860 (a couple of months after Chamonix became French), Emperor Napoleon III and Empress Eugénie arrived at Chamonix for a 2-day state visit. It took the name Chamonix-Mont-Blanc on the 21st of November, 1921. Originally located on the Duke of Savoy‘s lands, the Chamonix commune became French on 4 April 1860. Mont-Blanc from Chamouni painting by Jean Dubois (early 20th C) Wealthy visitors were drawn to the resort by its reputation for outdoor pursuits: mountaineering, hiking, climbing, mountain biking, paragliding, skiing and snowboarding. Since then, and for over two centuries, Chamonix has welcomed travellers from all over the world. Monument of Jacques Balmat showing Horace-Bénédict de Saussure the summit of Mont-Blanc © French Moments Two Chamonix men, Michel Paccard and Jacques Balmat made it to the top in 1786 for the first time in recorded history. In 1760, Swiss geologist Horace Bénédict de Saussure (1740-1799) offered a reward to the first man to reach the summit of Mont Blanc. Chamonix-Mont-Blanc: a bit of history Mont-Blanc from the town centre of Chamonix-Mont-Blanc © French Momentsīefore the 18th century, Chamonix (or Chamouni as it was then known) was situated in a remote position at the foot of Mont-Blanc, “the doomed mountain”.
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