The Mer de Glace (Sea of Ice) is the largest glacier in France, 7km long and 200m deep and is one of the biggest attractions in the Chamonix Valley.
To access the Mer de Glace and the Ice Cave in Chamonix, take the train of the Montenvers from Chamonix town center (Gare du Montenvers).
Mer de Glace Visitor Attractions
1. The Ice Grotto/Cave
A small cable car allows visitors to descend from the train station onto the Mer de Glace glacier where they can enter a man made ice grotto. The ice grotto is cut into the living glacier.
The grotto has to be dug out every summer since the glacier moves about 70m every year.
Access is via 430 steps on both the outward and return walk from the top of the glacier gondola lift.
Ice sculptures and caves are inside, under the glacier. The Gallery of Crystals features a collection of the finest crystal specimens in the Mont Blanc massif.
2. The Glaciorium
Established in 2012 on the site of Montenvers Mer de Glace and open daily during the summer (early June to late September), the Glaciorium features an entire exhibition dedicated to glaciology, with interactive and educational presentations all about glaciers, how they form, their history. It also answers questions related to climate and the environment.
A glacier is a climate indicator. It is also the memory of the planet and life on Earth.
The museum also explores the culture built around the glaciers, how they will change in the future and more.
3. Restaurant Le Panoramique Mer de Glace
From 2016/2017 winter, the new restaurant "Le Panoramique Mer de Glace - Bistrot avec vue" reopened to visitors of the Montenvers, Mer de Glace.
The brand Maisons & Hôtels Sibuet is the new owner of the restaurant Le Panoramique Mer de Glace. A family business of Jocelyne and Jean Louis Sibuet, pioneer of mountain hotel industry since 1989, the Sibuet Group has undertaken this project in partnership with the Hôtel-Restaurant-Montenvers company, the Chamonix town hall and the Compagnie du Mont-Blanc.
Le Panoramique is located at 1,200 above sea level. To reach the restaurant, take the funicular railway from Chamonix to Montenvers, a journey of about 20 minutes, with an altitude gain of 1000m.
The first restaurant renovated by the Sibuet family in Montenvers, Le Panoramique, opened its doors on 17 Dec 2016. Completely recreated and boasting a blended modern and authentic ambiance. Earthenware tiles cover the floor, kilk jugs and wooden features display on the walls. This new restaurant, Le Panoramique offers high quality French cuisine served in a traditional style, lovingly-crafted and slow-cooked.
A real culinary adventure for tourists and Chamoniards alike, delicacies include the traditional Veal blanquette, the Savoyarde pork hotpot and the Grandma's chicken casserole. Also you can find a delicious selectionod desserts: the "Dôme du Goûter" chocolate, hazelnut, spiced caramel, "Mer de glace" Vanilla vacherin, homemade raspberry liqueur and meringue, the Mont-Blanc with sweet chestnut cream and a double cream meringue. A veritable feast!
Attention: Until further notice Le Panoramique offers only a lunch time menu.
There is no evening service.
4. Restaurant Grand Hotel du Montenvers
This legendary restaurant possesses an authentic menu and offers quality cuisine. At midday, enjoy the terrace with its view of the Drus and the Grandes Jorasses.
A place to relax and have lunch with views across to Les Drus. And not forgetting the hotel museum (free), featuring a collection of period photographs and objects, plus a model railway exhibition. Daily talk by a glaciologist explaining the landscape.
Evenings by reservation only, for groups, conferences, weddings, private parties (return train trip & meal). Themed trails at Montenvers: explaining about the history of the site and the building of the cog railway.
| For more information: | Compagnie du Mont Blanc |
|---|---|
| 35, place de la Mer de Glace | 74400 Chamonix |
| +33 (0)4 50 53 22 75 | Email address |
The Montenvers Railway - Chamonix to the Mer de Glace
The Montenvers Railway was the first custom built tourist attraction in the valley. It started operating in 1908. The funicular railway departs from Chamonix and makes its way up the sides of the Aiguilles de Chamonix to an altitude of 1,913m.
The station at Montenvers has a cafe and a restaurant from where there are spectacular views of some of the most prestigious peaks in Chamonix: Les Drus (3,754m), Les Grands Jorasses (4,205m) and the Aiguille du Grepon (3,482m).
The station is poised on a rocky ridge overlooking the Mer de Glace glacier. View the animal museum and an exhibition of beautiful mountain crystals found in the region.
In summer there are great alpine walks to the Plan de l'Aiguille and the valley floor.
