Montenvers Cog Railway Train

The little red Montenvers train takes you up to the Mer de Glace and the ice caves via an old rack and pinion railway track, first constructed in 1909.

The caves go deep into the glacier itself and contain impressive ice carvings. New caves have to be carved out each spring as the glacial ice moves, but it is still possible to still see the entrances to the previous ones.

There is also a cristal exhibition, an Alpine flora and fauna museum, snack restaurant, souvenirs and the Grand Hotel du Montenvers. As well as the ever-impressive Mer de Glace (sea of ice) glacier of course!

There are a number of walks in the area, one of the most impressive is the hike between the Mer de Glace and the Plan de l'Aiguille. This can be done in either direction, allowing you to take the train up or down and the cable car at the other end.

The Montenvers train runs all year round (except for an annual closure in October) and leaves from the station just behind the main Chamonix SNCF railway.