Leaving from the centre of Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, the historic Montenvers train climbs through forested slopes to the Mer de Glace, France’s largest glacier. The journey takes around 20 minutes and offers panoramic views across the valley as the train ascends.

Depending on the season, you may share the carriage with sightseers, mountaineers heading for glacier travel, or skiers and snowboarders returning from the Vallée Blanche.

At Montenvers, the arrival experience has been fully redeveloped. A modern gondola now connects the station directly to the glacier level via enclosed galleries and lifts. The former long staircases down to the glacier are no longer used, making access significantly easier and more accessible than in the past.

The Grotte de Glace is still carved into the glacier each year and reached via the new infrastructure rather than open stairways. Interpretation of glacier retreat and climate change is now presented through indoor exhibits and galleries rather than outdoor level markers.

Visitors can also explore the Glaciorium, which explains glacier formation, alpine geography, and the impact of climate change in the Mont Blanc massif. A crystal gallery showcases large alpine crystals discovered locally.

There is a café on site, along with the historic Grand Hôtel du Montenvers, originally built in the late nineteenth century to welcome early visitors to the glacier.

Allow two to three hours for a complete visit, including the train journey, glacier access, exhibitions, and return trip.

The Montenvers train is included with the Mont Blanc Unlimited in winter and with the Mont Blanc Multipass in summer.