The Mer de Glace

The Mer de Glace, in Chamonix

The Mer de Glace is the largest glacier of France, a natural jewel of the Mont Blanc massif. The Chamonix audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this immense river of ice, accessible from Montenvers, and a witness of the retreat of the glaciers.

The largest river of ice of France

The Mer de Glace is the largest glacier of France, an immense river of ice several kilometres long that descends from the heights of the Mont Blanc massif. A striking spectacle, this frozen river, crossed by crevasses and seracs, has fascinated travellers since the eighteenth century, at the time of the first tourists and scholars who came to admire the glaciers. It is reached from the site of Montenvers, which offers a superb panorama over the glacier and the aiguilles. There you can visit a cave dug in the ice, recut every year. The Mer de Glace is also a witness of the climate change, for the glacier retreats and thins year after year, in a spectacular way. It is an emblematic natural site of Chamonix.

What to see

Here you admire the immense river of ice several kilometres long, crossed by crevasses and seracs, from the site of Montenvers which offers a superb panorama, as well as the cave dug in the ice; the glacier also testifies to the spectacular retreat due to the climate change. The Mer de Glace is an emblematic natural site of Chamonix. It is a must-see stop, accessible from Montenvers.

Practical information

The Mer de Glace is accessible from Chamonix by the Montenvers rack railway, which leads to the belvedere over the glacier. The descent towards the ice cave and the visit follow their own hours and conditions, which vary with the season; the altitude requires good clothing. It is best to check the conditions before coming.

What is the Mer de Glace in Chamonix?

The largest glacier of France, an immense river of ice several kilometres long descending from the Mont Blanc massif, accessible from Montenvers, where you visit an ice cave; the glacier retreats under the effect of the climate change.

Where is the Mer de Glace?

Above Chamonix, in the Mont Blanc massif, accessible from Montenvers, in France.