Aiguille du Midi & Montenvers

Vital Statistics

Top of Aiguille du Midi: 3842m | Top of Montenvers: 1913m
Activities: sightseeing, hiking, parapente, glacier hikes
Cable cars: 2 | Gondolas: 2 | Trains: 1

Chamonix’s two main tourist attractions, the Aiguille du Midi cable car and Montenvers train, are linked by the spectacular Grand Balcon Nord, a panoramic walk along the natural balcony of the mountains which offers fantastic views of the Brévent-Flégère area – it’s one of our favourites which has earned it a mention in our guide to walking and hiking.

There are other lovely walks at various stages of your journeys on the cable cars/train – the Lac Bleu is just 15 minutes from the Plan de l’Aiguille (Aiguille du Midi mid-station) and is nestled below some exceptional ‘needles’ of Chamonix (‘aiguille’ translates as needle in English). Thematic walks at the Montenvers site include “Meet the Railway”, a 45-minute return trail that winds down through the forest to reach the foot of the viaduct.

If you’d like to try something different, why not book a glacier discovery hike on the Mer de Glace? Or if you have experience with crampons and at altitude, book a Vallée Blanche traverse from the top of the Aiguille du Midi to get a taste of Mont Blanc alpinism. Read our guide for more information about glacier hiking. You could also book a tandem parapente flight* from the Aiguille du Midi mid-station – or from the top! (*Not in July and August.)

Both sites are outings in their own right. At the top of the cable car and train you can visit the sites which include visitor centres, an ice cave to take you inside France’s largest glacier and a panoramic gondola ride into Italy (extra charge). Note that there are restrictions to visiting altitude with children, see our family holiday guide for more information.

In summer, there are sometimes special evening events held at the old Grand Hôtel du Montenvers too.

Local tips

Check out our Mountain Restaurants guide for the best places to eat at the top, view the map of Aiguille du Midi-Montenvers and the enlarged map of Montenvers area.

Don’t forget your suncream, sunglasses or your camera either!

Lift passes

Both the Aiguille du Midi and Montenvers train are included on the Mont Blanc Multipass (extra charge for Panoramic Mont Blanc gondola).