Glacier de la Mer de Glace

The Mer de Glace natural site comes from the Leschaux and Géant glaciers. The Mer de Glace is the largest glacier in France: 7 km long, 40 km2 in area, 200 m thick, altitude 1913 m.

Immerse yourself in the high mountain atmosphere of the place, contemplating the Drus (3754m), and the Grandes Jorasses (4208m), mythical peaks which have seen so many mountaineers shine in their faces.
1741, the English Windham and Pocock, disregarding local supersitions, visited as pioneers the famous "icehouses" of the Chamonix valley, then considered to be dens of demons. Despite dire predictions, they come down alive and describe for the first time what they call the Mer de Glace.
1880, the Grand Hôtel du Montenvers was inaugurated, it was the time when mules and sedan chairs hoisted the first tourists to the site, at an altitude of 1913m.
1892, the project to build a railway to reach Montenvers was launched. It arouses fierce opposition from Chamonix residents who fear the alteration of their valley and who want to protect the employment of guides and muleteers.
1908, on August 9, the line opens to a place called "Caillet".