Mer de Glace & Montenvers Railway
The oldest mountain railway in France hauls you 1,913 metres above sea level to stand face-to-face with the Mer de Glace, Mont Blanc's largest glacier stretching 7 km through the massif. It is humbling, beautiful and unlike anything else in the Alps.
The Rack Railway Experience
Built in 1909, the red cogwheel train departs from Chamonix-Mont-Blanc station and climbs through pine forest and granite cliffs in around 20 minutes, revealing increasingly dramatic views of the Chamonix valley below.
At the top, the Montenvers terrace offers one of the most photographed panoramas in Europe: a sweeping arc of serrated aiguilles reflected in the morning light above the glacier's silver-grey surface.
Inside the Ice Grotto
A series of steep ladders — more than 400 steps — descend to the glacier's surface and into a hand-carved ice grotto, where tunnels glow electric blue and ice sculptures change every season.
The grotto descends deeper each year as the glacier retreats, a sobering reminder of climate change that guides explain with frank, factual commentary rather than dramatisation.
Combining with Les Houches
From Les Houches, take the free shuttle bus to Chamonix (12 minutes) and walk two minutes to the Montenvers departure point on Avenue de la Gare des Glaciers.
Return via the Aiguille du Midi cable car for a full high-altitude day, finishing with a cold Savoyard beer on the Chamonix main square as the sun drops behind the Aiguilles Rouges.
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