Tuesday, August 27, 2024 The installation of a new lift and Glaciorium is part of extensive developments at Montenvers, aimed at maintaining access to the Mer de Glace and France’s high mountain regions. Living in Chamonix, one can’t ignore that the iconic Mer de Glace has transformed drastically over the past decade, shifting from a vast ice field to a landscape filled with debris. Despite its retreat, Montenvers, the glacier’s alternate name, continues to draw large crowds, with around 450,000 visitors in 2023 alone.
Since the previous winter, visitors can now reach the glacier at 1,913 meters altitude via a new cable car. This two-minute ride takes them from the viewing platform down to the ice itself. During the journey, passengers can enjoy breathtaking views of the area, including famous peaks like the Grandes Jorasses and the Drus, which have captivated mountaineers for centuries.
Previously, visitors faced a challenging climb down steep steps to access the site, as the glacier had receded significantly. Given the ongoing melt, the Compagnie du Mont-Blanc has had to innovate to improve accessibility to key attractions like the glacier cave, which is re-carved annually for visitors to experience the glacier’s interior. The new cable car, located about 40 meters up the valley from the 1988 lift, marks the beginning of significant improvements at the Montenvers site.
These efforts aim to maintain the area’s appeal as a gateway to the high mountains while highlig.