Hotels in Chamonix
Once, only a very few people could enjoy the sensational views from the top of the Aiguille du Midi, a sharp-topped peak in the Mont Blanc Massif in the French Alps - and they were intrepid Alpine climbers capable of reaching the summit under their own steam.
Nowadays, the panorama may be enjoyed by anyone who rides up from the centre of Chamonix by cable car, in two stages, enjoying terrific mountain scenery all the way.
The pre-war Téléphérique fell into disuse but it was rebuilt, extended and reopened in the 1950s, for many years offering the world's most elevated cablecar journey. It has lost that distinction, but still delivers the world's highest vertical ascent, from 1035 m (3400 ft) up to 3842 (12608 ft), with the first stage to the Plan de l'Aiguille at 2300 (7500 ft). The second stage traverses the Pelegrins Glacier before rising up the mountain's North Face. Once all the way up, it's possible to enjoy those amazing 360º views of the Swiss, French and Italian Alps, have a cup of coffee and check out the gift shop before catching a return car. But in fact there are other options, winter and summer.
The famed Vallée Blanche ski run begins here, and the nearby Cosmiques Refuge is the starting point of a climb to the summit of Mont Blanc. In summer only, there is another cable car - the 5 km (3 mi) Panoramic Mont Blanc route, open from mid-March to September - across the Geant Glacier to Helbronner Point on the Italian side of the massif. From there, another cable car runs to and from the Italian village of la Palud in the Aosta Valley, facilitating one of the world's most unusual border crossings.
HOW
By cable car
WHEN TO GO
Any time of year (apart from three weeks in October or November when the cable car is closed for maintenance).
TIME IT TAKES
Around 20 minutes from Chamonix to the summit.
HIGHLIGHTS
An elevator ride up another 42 m (138 ft) at the summit of the Aiguille du Midi - to the top terrace with even better views.
Spotting the distant Matterhorn on a clear day.
Getting as close as is humanly possible to the summit of Mont Blanc without actually climbing.
Another "up and away" outing from Chamonix - on the old funicular Montenvers Railway (now with electric or diesel locomotion) to the Mer de Glace glacier.
YOU SHOULD KNOW
The literal translation of Aiguille du Midi is "Midday Needle", as the sun sits directly above the peak at noon when viewed from Chamonix.
