Aiguille du Midi

This is high mountain terrain and those with breathing difficulties, heart problems or other significant medical issues are not advised to take the trip. Consult your doctor if in doubt.

The old cable car
The very first lift for taking tourists to the Aiguille du Midi was originally proposed in 1910. When Chamonix won the bid to host the Winter Olympics in 1924, the plans were confirmed and completed in time for the event. The base station was in Les Pelerins and linked to a second station call 'Para' and eventually a third station called 'Les Glaciers' which was completed in 1927. There would have been three more stages of lifts to take visitors up to the Col du Midi and on to the Aiguille du Midi, but these were never completed. The section between Les Pelerins and Para was actually used in the Olympics to get competitors to the start of the bobsleigh track. This track is no longer visible as it was destroyed by an avalanche in the 1980's, but you can still see the remains of the two lift buildings and hike up to them if you like.

The current cable car
Although the old cable car system continued to be used until 1951, it was superseded by the current two stage lift system, the first stage of which entered public service in July 1954. The cable connecting the Plan d'Aiguille to the North Piton of the Aiguille du Midi was in place the year before, but building work was still going on at this time to drill out walkways and create galleries. The top station was finally opened to the public on 24 June 1955, and at the time it was the highest cable car in the world.

Read more detailed history on Seclectic's blog (in English) or with lots of great historical photos here (in French).

Lots of people head up the Aiguille du Midi purely for the views over the glaciers towards Mont Blanc, although it's also a hugely popular starting point for many mountaineering and skiing routes. Walking onto the glaciers from the Arête of the Midi or the Helbronner side of the mountain is not advised unless you have the proper equipment and are preferably with a high-mountain guide.

Arriving at the top
Another thing that strikes you as you arrive at the summit (aside from the sheer size and vastness of the massif) is just how much development has been done on this peak, meaning that peaks that would otherwise remain the preserve of skilled climbers and mountaineers, are now accessible to a great many visitors.

The top of the Aiguille du Midi has been pretty much hollowed out to form an intricate labyrinth of rooms and corridors that weave their way through the rocky, mainly granite peak. This in itself is impressive enough but it also allows space for multiple exhibitions, displays and viewing platforms which greatly enhance your time at the top.

The views over Mont Blanc and the valley are breathtaking, giving you an up close and personal vista over age-old, splintered ice flows which have cracked to form huge crevasses as they’ve edged their way down the mountainside. It feels almost as though you’re at the epicentre of the Alps, enormous peaks spilling in all directions punctuating the horizon as far as the eye can see.

Lift to the summit terrace
An elevator cut through the pinnacle of the Aiguille which gives access to a high viewing terrace surrounding the massive TV transmitter on the summit (the iconic metal shard on the peak, visible from miles around). Note, queues are common here so factor in at least a 15-minute wait to access (longer in summer months). The views are worth the wait though.

Le Pas dans le Vide / Step into the Void (free)
Accessed from the summit lift and Terrace 3,842, Step into the Void is a 2.5m glass box suspended from the side of the Aiguille, 1,000m above the glaciers below. Vertigo sufferers should probably avoid.

Accessing La Vallée Blanche
A tunnel cut through sheer ice walls leading to the famed 'Ice Steps' allowing climbers and skiers access to the Vallée Blanche descent and beyond. At 20km long with a vertical drop of 2,700m, the Vallée Blanche is one of the most famous off-piste routes in the world. Expect to see hardened mountain types, bedecked with crampons and ice axes preparing to exit onto the glacier.

Countless viewing platforms
With 360° access around the summit, you are spoilt for choice with views that extend far into Italy, France and Switzerland. Were it not for the cold, you could spend hours up here.

The Panoramic Mont-Blanc gondola (open June to September)
A 5km gondola ride linking to the Pointe Helbronner above Courmayeur on the Italian side, over the Glacier du Géant. This glacier is a huge permanent icepack which feeds the legendary Mer de Glace and Vallée Blanche.

In summer mountaineers can choose to access various trails (including paths to the summit of Mont Blanc) and refuges from the roped ridge known as the Arête. During the winter, the narrow arête down from the Aiguille du Midi is the starting point of the famous 18km off-piste route, the Vallée Blanche.

An average trip on the summit lasts around two to three hours, although it can be closer to five if you're taking your time looking around. You can take as long as you like on a visit although in winter the last lift up is at 15:00 and the last decent at 16:30. In summer the last trip up is at 16:30 and the last descent is at 17:30 or 18:00, so plan your visit accordingly. Times for the first and last lifts of the day vary depending on the time of year, so consult the summer lift timetables before making any plans.

There is a surprising amount see in the summit’s warren of tunnels, including:

Hypoxia Level
An exhibition on the effects of altitude and hypoxia on the body due to lack oxygen at high altitude. The station has been used in multiple experiments to study the effect of mountain sickness, pulmonary oedema and humans’ ability to adapt to altitude. Above 3,500m is considered very high altitude so be advised, those with heart or breathing problems are not advised to take this trip.

Espace Vertical
A fascinating glimpse into the history of climbing and Alpinism on the Mont Blanc massif, including displays of modern and traditional climbing equipment, an interactive 3D map and various videos. At 3,777m, this is the highest museum ever built.

History area
Learn the history of the cable car construction including a view over the massive drive wheels, whirling as they lift visitors to the summit.

Espace Mont Blanc
A indoor viewing gallery with breathtaking views over the Mont Blanc and a brief history of notable ascents made on the mountain.

The Pipe
A gallery inside the central pillar, that at 3,700m high and 32m in length allows full 360° passage around the summit in a tube.

4D Cinema
The first multidimensional cinema dedicated to the mountains, screening a 12-minute film 'Bird of the Summits' every 30 minutes. Charges do apply, but are discounted or free depending on what lift ticket you have.

Be warned, even in the summer months temperatures can be as low as -10°C at the top of the Aiguille du Midi (without wind chill), so make sure you wrap up warm, wear non-slip shoes and don’t forget your sun cream. It's very easy to get sunburn at altitude.

Le 3842 Restaurant: One of the world’s highest restaurants serving local Savoie fare. Booking is advised as it only seats 26 people.

Summit 3842 Café: Open every day the cable car is running, this café is a good spot for grabbing a quick bite to eat and a drink whilst admiring the views.

Le Vertical Café and shop: Pick up gifts, souvenirs and snacks at the bottom of the lift station as you return to Chamonix.

The centre of Chamonix, where you'll find the base station for the Aiguille du Midi cable car, has a great selection of hotels, apartments and chalets. Mountaineers can also gain access to a great many mountain huts and refuges, some of which are used on the way to summit Mont Blanc or others to access the many climbing and mountaineering routes in the backcountry.

Getting to the Aiguille du Midi is easy. You'll find the lift station in Chamonix Sud, which you can access easily on foot from anywhere in Chamonix centre. By bus, get off at Chamonix Sud and cross the road opposite the bus terminus. Head onto Rue du Lyret and keep walking. You'll find the base station of the Midi a few hundred metres along on the right hand side.

By car, it's best to park at the Grepon car park, just off the main highway - the Route Blanche. At the far end of the car park there's a tunnel taking you under the Route Blanche, which leads you towards the back of the Midi lift station. Head round to the main concourse at the front to buy tickets.

By train get off the Mont Blanc Express at the Aiguille du Midi stop and descend the road which leads you directly to the front of the Aiguille du Midi base station.

The Aiguille du Midi is open most of the year, only closing due to bad weather and for annual maintenance in autumn (dates are not fixed). Check the timetables for details before travelling to avoid disappointment.

You can buy lift passes at the ticket office once you arrive or buy a pass in advance online. Even in the quieter winter months, it’s a good idea to arrive promptly as the queues can still be quite large. The cable car attracts nearly half a million visitors per year, so pre-booking is definitely recommended. If you're unable for some reason to use the online booking system, you can book in person at the lift station.

See all the lift prices.

You can combine a trip to the Aiguille du Midi with a visit to the Mer de Glace and Montenvers Train in the same day if you buy a Mont Blanc Multipass. This also works out cheaper than paying for the two experiences separately. Buy all your passes at the ticket offices in Chamonix, which you'll find at the base of each of the lifts or the Montenvers-Mer de Glace train.

Find more activities and things to do in Chamonix.