The telepherique to the top of Aguille du Midi soars 9,250 feet in about 20 minutes.
For an old guy, it’s like time travel to the top of the world — or more precisely the snow fields and glaciers of Mont Blanc, Europe’s tallest mountain.
The lfit starts in Chamonix, at about 3,400 feet above sea level.
It rises quickly above the village.
As it rises, a panorama opens of the Chamonix Valley and the range south of the city.
Here, suspended seemingly in thin air, the cabins pass each other halfway to the top.
On the Aguille, at 12,786 feet, a fortress awaits,
frozen regardless of the season.
When you exit the lift, heaven — or more precisely the alps — awaits.
Pick a day like this and get up early. There’s nothing like it.
Kathy and I didn’t notice the cold.
Just the snow and sun and rock as far as the eye could see.
OK, it’s a bit of a circus up here. Tourists trek over ice fields
and past crevasses.
climbers put on their show in plain sight.
Skilled hang-gliders swoop in front of the mountains.
But in the end what matters is the mountain., Mont Blanc, and the alps as far as the eye can see.
We’ve come three times, and each time paid the $70 fare gladly.
This is an experience that takes your breath away.
3 Replies to “In Chamonix, a Journey to the Top of the World”
We had one friend visit who insisted he wanted to go to the Swiss Alps. We told him it would be better to go to Mont Blanc. . All the way driving there he kept saying but this looks like the Swiss Alps! . We finally told him just pretend you’re in Switzerland this is the REAL Alps. When we got to the top and he saw the view he thanked us for profusely for insisting on coming to Mont Blanc!
Hi Patricia,
That’s a funny story about your friend. We, in fact, always loved the Swiss alps until we discovered Chamonix. My brother and I dreamed
of climbing the Matterhorn and even tried once in our mid-50s (we did the practice climbs but the guide said ‘don’t try.’ But we, too, have discovered that Alps know no country borders.
Wow! Votre photos sont très merveilleuse!
Mont Blanc looks terrific, you have captured a great sneak a peek that makes me want to go there on my next France vacation. Our view of the French Alps were minuscule from the west, while we cycled through Lyon. Once again, thanks for the pictures, the tips and all the great stories written. We trully enjoyed them throughout your travels.
Yoly and Al
Author Slowlanefrance 
We had one friend visit who insisted he wanted to go to the Swiss Alps. We told him it would be better to go to Mont Blanc. . All the way driving there he kept saying but this looks like the Swiss Alps! . We finally told him just pretend you’re in Switzerland this is the REAL Alps. When we got to the top and he saw the view he thanked us for profusely for insisting on coming to Mont Blanc!
Hi Patricia,
That’s a funny story about your friend. We, in fact, always loved the Swiss alps until we discovered Chamonix. My brother and I dreamed
of climbing the Matterhorn and even tried once in our mid-50s (we did the practice climbs but the guide said ‘don’t try.’ But we, too, have discovered that Alps know no country borders.
Wow! Votre photos sont très merveilleuse!
Mont Blanc looks terrific, you have captured a great sneak a peek that makes me want to go there on my next France vacation. Our view of the French Alps were minuscule from the west, while we cycled through Lyon. Once again, thanks for the pictures, the tips and all the great stories written. We trully enjoyed them throughout your travels.
Yoly and Al