Mer de Glace at Chamonix: the Montenvers train since 1909 and the ice cave

The Montenvers train: 1909

The rack railway connecting Chamonix (1042m) to Montenvers (1913m) was inaugurated in 1908, with commercial operations beginning in 1909. It is one of France’s oldest tourist railways still in operation.

The 20-minute journey through the forest and slopes of the Mont-Blanc massif is a spectacle in itself. The Montenvers arrival station sits at 1913m, overlooking the Mer de Glace.

The Mer de Glace: documented retreat

The Mer de Glace is France’s largest glacier, approximately 7km long, fed by the catchments of Mont-Blanc and several neighbouring peaks. Its retreat is among the most closely monitored by glaciologists worldwide.

Since the late nineteenth century, the glacier has retreated more than 2km in length and lost over 150m of thickness at its terminus. This retreat has accelerated since the 1980s. Steps are regularly added to provide access to the ice cave carved annually into the glacier, the number of steps reflects the extent of the retreat.

The ice cave

Each year since the 1940s, an ice cave has been carved into the glacier. Access is via steps from the Montenvers station, and visitors travel approximately one hundred metres through the glacier along lit galleries that reveal successive layers of ice.

The Glaciorium

At Montenvers station, the Glaciorium is a science centre dedicated to glaciers: their formation, dynamics, retreat, and climatic consequences. It is one of France’s finest glacier education exhibitions.

Planning a stay in Chamonix

AEC Collection selects and represents premium chalets and apartments in the Chamonix valley. The Montenvers train departs from Chamonix station every 20-30 minutes during peak season, with tickets available at the station or online.