L'AIGUILLE DU MIDI

Located in the Mont-Blanc massif, the Aiguille du Midi is the highest of the Chamonix Aiguilles, rising to 3,842m. Climbing it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The ascent to the Aiguille du Midi (forbidden for children under 3, not recommended for children under 5) takes you on a giant leap of 2,807 metres in 20 minutes to the summit: the departure station is at 1,035 m and the arrival point at 3,842 m on the summit terrace! A unique journey in two stages. After flying over the alpine forest framed by the Bossons glacier, the Aiguilles Verte, the Aiguilles de Chamonix and the Drus, you reach the Plan de l'Aiguille, the departure point for skiers, mountaineers and hikers to the Montenvers site. At 2,310 m, the Plan de l'Aiguille is an intermediate station where it's pleasant to take a break before climbing even higher. The second section takes you up to the Piton Nord, past hanging glaciers and the Goûter dome leading to the famous Mont Blanc (4,805 m in 2023), with a breathtaking view over the valley. It's always a good idea to bring warm clothing with you, when you see tourists trying to climb in the middle of summer in shorts and a T-shirt at this high mountain altitude close to 0°C. Don't forget sunglasses with UV protection, binoculars and a good camera. At the very top, you can admire the surrounding peaks of the French, Italian and Swiss Alps. It's a fascinating sight, and your eyes will be dazzled by the grandeur of nature! However, this is not the only activity on offer, as you'll find there's a particularly wide range of activities on offer at the summit. First of all, you'll have the chance to walk inside a 32-metre tube, a steel gallery that takes you all the way around the central piton of the Aiguille du Midi at an altitude of 3,700 m! But what thrill-seekers will really appreciate is the incredible Pas dans le vide! On a glass platform, glazed on five sides, more than 1,000 m of void open up beneath your feet! Those prone to vertigo and sensitive souls are advised to abstain! Le Pas dans le Vide is one of Europe's tallest attractions, and its construction was a real challenge for the engineers. In this completely glazed room, you have an exceptional view of the Bossons glacier, the highest icefall in the Alps, with its 7 km length and 3,630 m vertical drop. After all these thrills, a break at the Espace Mont-Blanc is sure to please everyone. It offers a place to rest and contemplate the unique panorama of the Aiguille du Midi. On a bench, facing the large windows, relax and enjoy the exceptional view: you'll be able to catch a glimpse of Tacul, Mont Maudit and Mont-Blanc. For a bite to eat, head for the 3,842 m store, cafeteria and restaurant. It's the ideal place to savour Savoyard specialities in a magical summit setting. This is one of the highest restaurants in Europe, with an exceptional view of the Aiguilles de Chamonix. Another not-to-be-missed visit is the Espace Vertical. After one of Europe's highest restaurants, this is the world's highest museum dedicated to mountaineering! It pays homage to those who have climbed the slopes of the Mont-Blanc massif, and showcases the equipment used today. You're plunged into the world of mountaineering, and understand the challenge that climbing Mont-Blanc represents. To find out more, stop off at the Hypoxia Level, where we explain the effects of oxygen depletion at altitude on our bodies. At the end of your visit, as you make your way back down to the ropeway cabin, you can also visit the Espace Histoire, where you can learn more about the construction of the ropeway you've just taken, with a view of its impressive machinery! Then, if you'd like to continue this incredible high-mountain journey, hop on the Panoramic Mont-Blanc (please note that the trip is not included in the Mont-Blanc Multipass, so you'll need to add a supplement). This gondola will take you to Italy's Helbronner Point in 30 minutes. The ride takes you weightlessly over the seracs and crevasses of the Glacier du Géant, admiring roped parties of mountaineers on glacier treks. And so we continue to take in the sights! Normally, the round trip and visit to the Aiguille du Midi takes around 3 hours. But crowds, especially in July and August, make this time much longer. Find out how busy the site is and book your tickets online to make sure you get to the top. Weather conditions and a webcam giving you a foretaste of the panorama can also be found on the website. While waiting for your ascent, or on your return, you can enjoy a new animation with an immersive 4D cinema installed in the departure station of the Aiguille du Midi cable car. The film, L'Oiseau des Cimes, will take you soaring over the mountains. Screenings take place every 30 minutes and are included in the Mont-Blanc MultiPass package. The Aiguille du Midi continues to impress us with its sensational facilities, which make an already breathtaking visit even more exciting and enthralling!