Mont Blanc & Chamonix
Ideal: Ideal for mountain views, nature, skiing, hiking, and Alpine atmosphere.
At 4,808 metres it is the highest point in the Alps; Jacques Balmat and Michel Paccard made the first summit ascent in 1786, considered the start of modern mountaineering. The Aiguille du Midi cable car climbs from the valley to 3,842 metres in twenty minutes — when it opened in 1955 it was the world's highest. The first Winter Olympics were held here in 1924. The Mer de Glace glacier reachable from town has visibly retreated over the last thirty years; steps are added to the descent stairs every year.
Quick facts
- Elevation
- 4,806 m
- Material
- granite
Facts from Wikidata, photos from Wikimedia Commons.
Did you know?
Why does Mont Blanc's height change every year?
The measured summit includes the cap of ice and snow; the rock summit is fixed but the snow cover varies with season and climate. That is why the official survey, repeated every two years, reports differences of several metres.
What makes the Aiguille du Midi cable car special?
When it opened in 1955 it was the world's highest cable car, and its second span crosses about 2,800 m without a single support pylon. At the 3,842 m top the thin air noticeably affects visitors, and dizziness is common.
Where were the first modern Winter Olympics held?
In Chamonix. The 1924 event was retroactively recognised as the first Winter Olympic Games, and the town's status as a mountain-sports capital dates from it.
Why go?
- To see one of Europe's most impressive Alpine views
- To experience Chamonix town and mountain atmosphere
- For activities such as cable cars, hiking, and winter sports
Travel tip
Weather is decisive in the mountains; check conditions before cable-car or viewpoint plans.
