© chaletarkle
© Alison Shayler
© Tom Humpage
© Graham Pinkerton
© Alison Shayler
Le Brévent, Chamonix - Town
South-facing mountain with amazing views of the Mont Blanc massif
Brévent is the closest summer lift to the centre of Chamonix and its impressive rocky summit rises to 2,525m above sea level.
You can access the mid station at 1,999m either by the Plan Praz gondola or on foot, up the steep zig-zagging path that's visible from the town centre otherwise known as the vertical kilometre.
From mid station you can take the Brévent cable car straight to the top of the mountain and start various hikes from there or just take in the incredible views as you look across to the Mont Blanc massif.
Worth knowing
Find your way around with our maps for summer hiking and walking or the mountain biking.
Who should go
Access Yes/No Notes Elderly access ✓ Babies ✓ Planpraz and Flégère from 12 months. Brévent and Index from 24 months Wheelchair access ✓ All cable cars and gondolas, not possible on Index chairlift Disabled toilets ✓ At Plan Praz and Flégère but not at summit of Brévent Dogs ✓ Prohibited in the nature reserve Parapentes ✓ Mountain bikes ✓ Car parking ✓ Plan Praz base lift station (Chamonix), paid Lockers Reservations required Sports and activities ✓ Skiing, parapenting, hiking, climbing, mountain-biking, trail running
Events in Chamonix
Each summer professional and amateur runners alike tackling the vertical kilometre - a race that starts in Chamonix town centre and involves people racing up the steep walking path to the mid station.
Things to do in Chamonix
Plan Praz mid station offers a great view point for Mont Blanc, and is also a popular take off spot for many paragliders in both winter and summer.
From the very top of Brévent you can follow the footpath to the Aiguillette des Houches via the Bel Lachat mountain hut, trek further afield across to Samoëns, across to Flégère via the connecting cable car, or walk back down to the mid station, taking in the views on the way. The Plaques du Brévent climbing spot is accessible from here too.
In summer the liaison cable car between Brévent and Flégère does not operate, but then that's what the hiking trails are there for!
Dining in Chamonix
You can dine in one of the mountain restaurants like the Bergerie de Plan Praz at mid station or the Panoramic at the top of the Brévent. From either location you'll be able to enjoy the amazing views.
Directions
Getting to the bottom of Plan Praz and Brévent is easy - either take one of the local buses, drive up to the large car park or walk up the short hill from the town centre. You'll find the hill on the roundabout behind the Hotel Mont Blanc at the back of the tourist office.
When to come
Take a look at all the summer lift opening dates and timetables.
How to get passes
You can buy tickets directly from the lift station or buy a Mont Blanc Multi-pass in advance on line. Don't forget if you only want to go to the mid station, you need the Plan Praz ticket. Brévent tickets are for accessing the mid station and the very top cable car.
