A red rack railway train linking Chamonix to the Montenvers site (1,913 m) facing the Mer de Glace, with an ice cave, Glaciorium and cable car to the glacier.
The Montenvers train is a rack railway brought into service in 1909, linking Chamonix-Mont-Blanc station (1,042 m) to the Montenvers site (1,913 m) in about 20 minutes. Operated by the Compagnie du Mont-Blanc, it delivers visitors to the iconic belvedere facing the Mer de Glace, the largest glacier in France (7 km long).
At the top, the site includes the gondola down to the surface of the glacier (closed for maintenance until 29 May 2026), the ice cave carved each year inside the glacier (closed until 5 June 2026), the Glaciorium interpretation centre on glaciers, the Refuge-Hôtel du Montenvers and the Grand Hôtel du Montenvers, a historic 1880 building listed as a historic monument.
2026 prices: adult return EUR 31.50, Voyage pack EUR 49.70 (train + gondola + ice cave + Glaciorium). Season: year-round, daily in summer. Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., variable by season. The Montenvers is also a stage on the Balcon Nord, the famous high trail from the Plan de l'Aiguille (Aiguille du Midi cable car) to the Montenvers.
From Geneva (≈1h15) via A40 then E25, exit Chamonix-Sud, follow signs for 'Montenvers - Mer de Glace'. From Annecy (≈1h30) via A41 then A40. The station is opposite the SNCF station, with Biolay (free) and Mont-Blanc (covered, paid) car parks 200 m away.
Open in MapsChamonix-Mont-Blanc SNCF station is right next to the train station (footbridge <300 m). Mont-Blanc Express (TER) from Saint-Gervais-le-Fayet or Vallorcine, TGV connections at Saint-Gervais. Chamonix-Sud bus 10 minutes' walk away, stop 'Place du Mont-Blanc'.
Open in MapsThe Chamonix valley greenway reaches the town centre, then it's a 200 m walk to the station. Bike parking at the SNCF station.
Open in MapsTransport data verified on 2026-06-15 · source transport.data.gouv.fr (Licence Etalab 2.0)
maarjaara · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Whgler · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Rémih · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Photo : Bénédicte · merci ! 🦆
Photo : Bénédicte · merci ! 🦆
Photo : Bénédicte · merci ! 🦆
Photo : Bénédicte · merci ! 🦆
Photo : Bénédicte · merci ! 🦆
Photo : Bénédicte · merci ! 🦆Been there? Share your photos — we'll add them to this page with credit. Tag #loisirs74 or email photos@loisirs74.fr
Book the Train du Montenvers - Mer de Glace online at tickets.montenverstrain.com, with a time slot recommended in July-August. Tickets are also sold at the station counters, opposite the Chamonix-Mont-Blanc SNCF station.
Train du Montenvers - Mer de Glace: return train ticket adult €31.50, young person/senior €26.80. Mer de Glace Voyage pack (train + cable car + ice cave + Glaciorium) €49.70 adult, €42.20 young person/senior, Tribu €148.30. Free under 5. Checked 21 May 2026.
Train du Montenvers - Mer de Glace: 23/05–03/07 daily 8:30am–5:00pm, 04/07–30/08 8:00am–5:30pm, 31/08–13/09 8:30am–5:00pm, winter 10:00am–4:30pm. Checked on the official website on 21 May 2026 — subject to seasonal changes.
No, the ice cave at the Train du Montenvers - Mer de Glace is closed from 11 May to 5 June 2026 for annual maintenance, and the cable car is closed from 11 to 29 May 2026. Full reopening is planned for 6 June 2026.
Yes. The MONT BLANC MultiPass (1 day from €95.60 adult, summer 2026) combines the Train du Montenvers - Mer de Glace, the Aiguille du Midi cable car, the 4D cinema, the Mont-Blanc Express TER train and the valley's free buses.
Yes, with assistance. At the Train du Montenvers - Mer de Glace, the sloped platform requires staff help (notify at the ticket office), who install access bars in the train. The Glaciorium, cable car and glacier esplanade are accessible. The cave requires stairs.
Two car parks 200 m from the Train du Montenvers - Mer de Glace: Biolay (outdoor, free) and Mont-Blanc/Planards (covered, paid). Free Chamonix valley bus with a Multipass ticket. Parking fills up quickly in July-August, arrive early.
Allow 20 minutes for the ascent on the Train du Montenvers - Mer de Glace, plus 2 to 3 hours on site: belvedere, cable car to the glacier, ice cave, Glaciorium and lunch at the Refuge-Hôtel du Montenvers. A half-day minimum is recommended.
Multi-source verification at publication. Information may change — confirm with the official operator before travelling.
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