• Leisure

Mer de Glace et train du Montenvers

Hop on the famous rack-and-pinion railway, which takes passengers from Chamonix to the tourist site of Montenvers at an altitude of 1,913 m. Enjoy a spectacular panoramic view of the Mer de Glace glacier, the Drus and the Grands Jorasses

Leisure Mer de Glace et train du Montenvers Chamonix-Mont-Blanc

About

Departing from Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (74400)
Animals allowed
Unguided individual tours available permanently
Average duration of an individual visit : 03h00

ICE CAVE
On the spot, the visit of the ice cave is a journey to the heart of the glacier, re-cut each year, it describes the life of the mountain dwellers of the beginning of the 19th century. It is accessible either by a footpath, about 20 minutes walk, or by gondola: be careful, about 580 steps separate the arrival of the gondola from the entrance to the cave.

THE GLACIORIUM
The Montenvers site is a true witness to the climatic changes of our century and deserved a space dedicated to glaciology! The sea of ice, its formation, its history, its future evolution, this is what you can discover by visiting this interactive and educational place...

The total visit (cave and routes included) lasts on average 2 to 3 hours. The visit time can be doubled during busy periods.

RESTAURATION
To eat, there are 3 possibilities: either a Savoyard or traditional meal at the Restaurant du Refuge du Montenvers, or a quick meal at the Bar des Glaciers.

HOTELLING
The Refuge du Montenvers was opened on July 1, 2017 after renovation by the label Maisons et Hôtels Sibuet, a leading player in the mountain hotel industry for over 30 years.
The Refuge du Montenvers offers a dormitory with 10 beds, double rooms and family rooms, as well as suites, all in a traditional mountain refuge atmosphere.

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    Prices

    From 04/12/2021 to 31/05/2023
    Adult: 37 €
    Child : 31.50 €
    Family pass: 114.80 €
    Disabled: 50% discount when presenting an invalidity card + 50% for the accompanying person.

    From 01/06 to 30/11/2023
    Adult: 38 €
    Child : 32.30 €
    Family pass: 117.60 €.

    Free entry for children < 5 years.
    Child entry valid for 5 - 14 years.
    Group rate available for > 20 people.

    Ascent or Descent + visits (Summer)
    Adult: €29,50
    Child and senior: €25,10

    Return "Vallée Blanche" + visit (winter)
    Adult : €30
    Child and senior : €25,50
    The train and the visit is included in the MONT BLANC Multipass.

    Methods of payment accepted : Bank/credit card, Check, Travellers Cheque, Cash

    Reception

    Animals allowed
    Languages spoken : English, French
    Languages of documentation : German, English, Spanish, French, Italian
    Languages visits : English, French
    Languages informatives signs : English, French

    A glaciologist will be present at the summit on 20-21-27-28-29 May from 10am-12.30pm and 1.30pm-4pm.

    Dogs are allowed on the leash. Be careful! The stairs that leads to the ice cave are metalic openwork stairs.

    Period of practice

    From 08/05 to 02/06/2023
    Opening hours daily between 8.30 am and 5 pm.
    Departure every hour, and every 30 minutes from 10.30am (optional departure at 9am)
    Departure of the last train to visit the Ice cave at 3pm
    Please note : ice cave and cable car are closed.

    From 03/06 to 08/07/2023
    Opening hours daily between 8.30 am and 5 pm.
    Departure every hour, and every 30 minutes from 10.30am (optional departure at 9am)
    Departure of the last train to visit the Ice cave at 3pm.

    From 09/07 to 27/08/2023
    Opening hours daily between 8.30 am and 5.30 pm.
    Departure every 30 minutes, then every 20 minutes from 10:30. (8am departure optional)
    Departure of the last train to visit the Ice cave at 3.40 pm.

    From 28/08 to 16/09/2023
    Opening hours daily between 8.30 am and 5 pm.
    Departure every 30 minutes, then every 20 minutes from 10:30 am (departure from 9 am optional)
    Departure of the last train to visit the Ice Cave at 3pm.

    From 17/09 to 02/10/2023
    Opening hours daily between 8.30 am and 4.30 pm.
    Departure every hour, then every 30 minutes from 2pm (departure at 9 am optional).
    Departure of the last train to visit the Ice Cave at 2:30 pm.

    Subject to favorable weather.

    Services
    • Pets welcome
    • Coach access
    • Shop
    • Restaurant
    Equipments
    • Parking
    • Restaurant
    • Coach parking
    • Bar
    • Picnic area
    • Toilets
    • Car park

    Access

    35 pl de la Mer de Glace 74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc
    Departing from : Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (74400)
    Latitude : 45.922282 - Longitude : 6.875328

    Closest bus stop : Place du Mont-Blanc
    Closest train station : Chamonix centre
    Closest carparkss : Biolay (outside carpark), parking du Mont-Blanc (underground carpark).

    Station district

    • Accessible for wheelchairs with assistance
    Motor Disability

    Special rate upon presentation of the "handicap" card. Informed in advance, the staff will help you to board. Access to the ice cave is not possible (580 steps) and access to the glaciorium requires assistance (short but somewhat steep slope).

    More informations

      Information update on 19/05/2023 by Office de Tourisme de la Vallée de Chamonix-Mont-Blanc