Mont Blanc and Chamonix
The highest peak in the Alps towering over the mountaineering town of Chamonix - glaciers, cable cars and the vertiginous Aiguille du Midi.
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Illustrative image - a scene in the spirit of the place, not a photograph of it. Real photos are below.
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 you actually see
- 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.
Honest expectations
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.
What to pack for Mont Blanc and Chamonix
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
