Mont Blanc and Chamonix

Mont Blanc, at 4,808 metres the highest peak in the Alps, towers in a mantle of snow and glacier over Chamonix, the historic cradle of mountaineering. From the town, the Aiguille du Midi cable car rockets you to nearly 3,800 metres for a vertiginous view across to the summit and a glass box, the Step into the Void, hanging over the abyss.

What's there

• The Aiguille du Midi - the cable car to the high viewpoint and the glass Step into the Void.
• Mont Blanc - the great snow-capped peak, the highest in the Alps.
• The Mer de Glace - the great glacier reached by the mountain railway.
• Chamonix - the historic mountaineering town in its dramatic valley.

When to go

Summer for the high cable cars, hiking and glaciers; winter for world-class skiing. Clear weather is essential for the summit views, which cloud often hides.

What to expect

The high cable cars depend entirely on clear weather, which the mountains often hide, so a clear day is a matter of luck. The Aiguille du Midi is high enough that altitude affects some visitors. It is a serious mountain environment, so respect it.

Nearby

Annecy and its lake are to the south; the Swiss and Italian Alps are just over the borders.