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Circuit découverte : Le massif du Mont-Blanc

Road in Annemasse

227.7 km

Road

Easy

Discover the majestic Mont-Blanc range, Chamonix valley and Montets pass for access to Switzerland. After the Col de la Forclaz, descent to the Rhone valley in an unforgettable mountain setting.

Departure

Annemasse
Difference in height

3850.62 m
Plain text period

All year round.
Please check access to Col des Montets and Col de la Forclaz in winter (snow).
Documentation
- GPX Trace
GPX / KML files allow you to export the trail of your hike to your GPS (or other navigation tool)

Accepted customers
- Individuals

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Points of interest

1 Aiguille du midi cable car

2 Le Petit train touristique de Chamonix

3 Office de Tourisme de Chamonix

4 Office de tourisme d'Argentière

5 Public toilet - Argentière village

6 Col des Montets

7 Office de Tourisme de Vallorcine

8 Emosson Dam

9 The Abbey of Saint-Maurice d’Agaune

10 Saint-Gingolph Beach (France)

11 Evian Tourist Office

12 The Funicular

13 Evian thermal center

14 Rives-Thonon Cable Car

15 Office de Tourisme de Thonon-les-Bains

16 Thermal Baths of Thonon-les-Bains

17 Castle of Ripaille: Home of the Dukes of Savoy

1 Aiguille du midi cable car

This famous needle, which is one of the highest in Chamonix, has been an unmissable destination for visitors for more than 60 years.
In just 20 minutes, the Aiguille du Midi cable car will take you from the centre of Chamonix to the high mountains, reaching an altitude of 3,842 m. From the top of its 3777m, the Aiguille du Midi and its terraces offer a 360° view of the French, Swiss and Italian Alps. Thanks to an elevator, you can access the summit terrace at 3842m, to discover a breathtaking view of the Mont Blanc.

THE STEP INTO THE VOID !
Breathtaking! Thrill seekers will appreciate the new attraction of the site... a technological feat and unforgettable sensations! More than a thousand meters of vacuum under your feet, in this glass box, glazed on 5 sides... A small step for the visitor, a big step in the history of the Aiguille du Midi! Shivers guaranteed...

THE TUBE
A 32m long steel gallery to go all the way around the central piton of the Aiguille du Midi, at an altitude of more than 3,700m, without going back on your steps.

VERTICAL SPACE
An exceptional place, an exceptional idea.... The site of the Aiguille du Midi is the starting point of many mountain races, including of course the ascent of the mythical Mont-Blanc by the three Monts. Many famous mountaineers have left their mark there and it is to pay homage to these inventive and daring adventurers, of which Rebuffat is the most famous example, that the highest museum in the world will be created at 3777 m altitude.

ESPACE MONT-BLANC
A space for rest and contemplation...
It offers you a view of the mythical summits of the massif. Sit down on the benches, facing the large windows, and rest but keep your eyes wide open!

All year long a cafeteria and a souvenir store are open to you. The restaurant "3842m" invites you to taste Savoyard specialities in a unique setting.

PANORAMIC MONT-BLANC
Once at the top, don't miss the trip over the Glacier du Géant to reach the Pointe Helbronner in Italy.
The gondola lift takes you over the seracs and crevasses to Pointe Helbronner in Italy (Attention: not included in the MONT-BLANC MultiPass).

THE AIGUILLE PLAN
Between Chamonix and the Aiguille du Midi, you can stop at the intermediate station of the cable car at the Plan de l'Aiguille.
Located at 2310m, the Plan de l'Aiguille is the departure of the Grand Balcon Nord hike to the Montenvers site. Lunch at the refreshment bar or at the Refuge du Plan located at 15 minutes walk. A very pleasant break in the middle of the mountains !

PRACTICAL INFORMATION
- Bring warm clothes, sunglasses and sun cream.
- The visit is forbidden to children under 3 years old, not recommended for children under 5 years old.
- The total visit lasts on average (including the journey) 2 to 3 hours. The visit time can be doubled depending on the number of visitors.
- Times and frequency of departures vary according to the time of year and the number of visitors: consult the table and notes corresponding to the date of your visit.

4D IMMERSIVE CINEMA
The first 4D immersive cinema dedicated to the mountain located in the departure station of the Aiguille du Midi cable car
This new space awaits you at the departure of the Aiguille du Midi. Discover our first 4D projection "L'oiseau des Cimes".
Duration of the film : 12 minutes
Children : from 5 years old (+ 1.10 M)
Payment and reservation on site at the cinema reception desk.
Payment by credit card only

2 Le Petit train touristique de Chamonix

Guided tour of Chamonix.
The little train has been 100% electric since August 3, 2022. Route 1: Classic tour of the city center:
The little train invites you on a relaxing, cultural and tourist tour... The perfect way to discover Chamonix's origins, history, monuments, architecture, sports, activities and panoramic views...
Guided tours in 10 languages: French, English, German, Spanish, Greek, Japanese, Italian, Dutch, Chinese, Portuguese.
Leaving from Place Balmat (opposite the post office)

Tour 2: Night tour - Village des Bois et des Praz.
Every Tuesday and Thursday evening in July and August, make a date with the history of the valley.
The little train gets off its tracks and takes you away from the center of Chamonix to discover the plain of Les Praz and its villages that have retained the charm of the past! (housing, activities, legends, culture, nature...).
A guide is on hand to tell you all about Chamonix's history!
A photo stop at sunset is available at the Chapelle des Praz.
Meet at 7pm downtown, Place Balmat, opposite the post office.
Duration approx. 1 hour
Commentary in French only
Maximum 60 places.
Price: €10

Rent the little train!
For weddings, conferences, corporate events and all other requests.
Contact us and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.

Reservations on our website.

3 Office de Tourisme de Chamonix

The office has a warm and spacious reception area where visitors will find brochures, information panels and a children's area. Our reception service offers you the following services:

- Provision of free documentation.
- Registration for guided tours offered by the tourist office.
- Compagnie du Mont Blanc kiosk: sale of ski passes.
- Chamonix Mobilité kiosk: sale of bus tickets and season tickets.
- Chamonix logo posters and goodies for sale
- Sale of items and tickets for field hockey matches, bus excursions.
- Sale and distribution of guest cards
- Fishing permit sales
- Last-minute hotel reservations
- Photocopying and printing
- Free Wifi

The Tourist Office has been awarded the Quality Tourism label, which will be renewed in 2023.

4 Office de tourisme d'Argentière

The Argentière tourist office has a warm reception area. Our reception service offers you the following services:

- Provision of free documentation.
- Registration for guided tours
- Chronopost and Colissimo pick-up points
- Sale of Argentière and Chamonix logo posters and goodies.
- Sale of items and tickets for field hockey matches and bus excursions.
- Sale and distribution of guest cards
- Last-minute hotel reservations
- Photocopying, printing
- Free Wifi

The Tourist Office has been awarded the Quality Tourism label, which will be renewed in 2023.

5 Public toilet - Argentière village

In the centre of the village, near the tourism office.

6 Col des Montets

The Montets pass is a pass linking the Chamonix Valley and Vallorcine which is located on the border of the Swiss Valais. It culminates at 1 461 meters of altitude. At the top of the pass, you will find the chalet of the Aiguilles Rouges Reserve and a botanical path allowing you to discover the fauna and flora of the Alps.

7 Office de Tourisme de Vallorcine

The Vallorcine Mont Blanc tourist office welcomes you in a warm and authentic setting. Our reception service offers you the following services:

- Valley, Italy and Switzerland documentation available free of charge.
- Chronopost and Colissimo pick-up points
- Sale of Vallorcine and Chamonix logo goodies.
- Ticket sales for field hockey matches and bus excursions.
- Sale and distribution of guest cards
- Sale of fishing permits
- Photocopies
- Free wifi

The Tourist Office has been awarded the Quality Tourism label for 2023.

8 Emosson Dam

This dam treats French and Swiss waters taken at 2000m high in the Glacier of Argentière and Le Tour. The summit of the dam offers an incredible view over Mont-Blanc.

9 The Abbey of Saint-Maurice d’Agaune

The visitor trail is based on light and imagery, the symbols of knowledge and faith. It tells an extraordinary story: that of a miraculously preserved, living religious community that bears sole witness to a spiritual and cultural activity that is not found anywhere else in the western Christian world. The visit starts from the current basilica which dates back to the 17th Century and was restored and enlarged in the mid-20th Century. After the archaeological site, the visit continues with the catacombs and then the abbey treasure.

10 Saint-Gingolph Beach (France)

With its superb views of Switzerland and the Vaud Alps, this beach is located at the entrance to the village. It includes a swimming area (supervised from July 1st to August 31st, 1pm to 7pm), a diving board, a raft, a book box and play areas for children (5 years and over). The Plage bar-restaurant offers a varied menu, largely based on local produce.

11 Evian Tourist Office

The Evian Tourist Office has a spacious and informative reception desk. Numerous leaflets are available, a shop offers products from the office as well as Evian mineral water, and a children's area has been set up. On sale :
- city bus ticket books
- parking discs
- tickets for guided tours of the town
- books published by Evian Town Hall
- tickets for shows
- Swiss freeway vignette
- Léman France tourist pass
The reservation center is in charge of fitness stays with the Evian thermal baths, as well as group stays. The Convention Department organizes seminars and meetings by marketing the Palais Lumière and the Palais des Festivités.
Two TV screens broadcast information on the city's entertainment and events. Free wifi access.
An EVAD office provides information on buses from the Pays d'Evian and Vallée d'Abondance community of communes.

12 The Funicular

Inaugurated in 1907, its function was to transport the curists from the large hotels in upper Evian to the spring, the thermal refreshment bar and the thermal establishment (today's Palais Lumière). This electrical traction funicular railway without cogs was built in several sections between 1907 and 1913 by the Lausanne engineer Koller for a subsidiary of the Société des eaux minérales. It transports the tourist clientele from the quays (port, thermal establishment and casino) to the large hotels (Splendide, Royal, Ermitage) via the Buvette Cachat (the thermal refreshment bar). It is called "the small Evian metro" because it serves six stations which are decorated with beveled earthenware tiles. Two cars with five compartments each run on the 750-metre line, including 140 metres underground. Closed in 1969, the funicular railway was started up again during summer 2002 after six years of renovation work. It belongs to the city of Evian and is listed as a historical monument. The funicular is a rare piece of European railway heritage and is one of only three survivors of listed funiculars from the 19th and 20th centuries.
The lower station is located rue du port, behind the Palais Lumière.
The upper station is at the level of the Grange au lac.
Departure: every 20 minutes from both stations.
Three intermediate stations: Sources - Mateirons - Hotel Royal.

A refreshment bar is open at the Funicular top station from 1 July to mid-September from 11am to 7.30pm.

13 Evian thermal center

In 1827, the first thermal center opens in Evian. Evian mineral water is famous for treatments in rheumatology, digestive, urinary, and metabolic illness. The Thermes d'evian use the natural characteristics and recognised therapeutic properties of evian natural mineral water. The spa uses its benefits to offer you specific treatments as part of your cure.
Renowned for its purity and unique magnesium/calcium balance, evian® natural mineral water is used for all the hydrotherapy treatments provided at the Thermes d'evian® as part of medical spa cures. During your spa stay, take advantage of the historical expertise of the Thermes d'evian®. Our continuously trained hydrotherapists and practitioners use all the therapeutic virtues of this water and are committed to offering you the best thermal treatments within the framework of tried and tested protocols.

14 Rives-Thonon Cable Car

Thonon’s 19th Century hillside railway, Constructed in 1888, ‘Le Funiculaire’ was moved by a counter-weighting system using 11 tons of water. Today, it still links the port to the town centre, but since 1990, it has been powered by electricity. The cable car Rives-Thonon (in Thonon-les-Bains), the second cable car built in France, was founded on April 2, 1888. Conceived by the engineer Auguste Alesmonières, it is the only cable car in the world where the two cars pass each other in a turn. The total length is 230 meters, 86.8 meters of turning. Before, eleven tons of water were used to run the cable car, and it was not until 1990 that the cable car started running automatically.

15 Office de Tourisme de Thonon-les-Bains

During your stay in Thonon-les-Bains, the tourist office is at your disposal to make your holiday an unforgettable one !
Accommodation, visits, activities and much more, our travel advisors will accompany you in the best possible way. Find all our services at your disposal:
- Information
- Personalized advice
- News / Agenda
- Ticket offices (concerts, shows, boat tickets, museums. . . )
- Rental of electric bicycles
- Free Wifi access 30 minutes
- Supervised activities in season (adults and children)
- Rental of baby carrier, all-terrain stroller and car seats 0-4 years
- Shop

You can also find our seasonal reception point at the Port de Rives (Place du 16 août 1944) in July and August.

16 Thermal Baths of Thonon-les-Bains

Nestled in a verdant park, close to the pedestrian streets, the spa offers a range of treatments, relaxation treatments and fitness.

17 Castle of Ripaille: Home of the Dukes of Savoy

Historic, cultural and winemaking centre in Haute-Savoie, the Castle de Ripaille is also one of the biggest and most remarkable natural sites on the banks of Lake Geneva. By its grandeur, its charm, its memories, Ripaille is one of the most beautiful domains on the shores of Lake Geneva. In the Middle Ages, a semi-religious retreat of the first Duke of Savoy, Amédée VIII, in the 17th and 18th centuries, a Carthusian monastery, protected from the "century" by the high wall that still surrounds it today, in 1900 the property of a great industrialist and aesthete, Ripaille has always been a place where residents and visitors come to "recharge their batteries".

The visit of the site of Ripaille plunges the visitor in the time of the counts of Savoy in the XIIIth century and evokes the reign of the first Duke of Savoy, the great Amédée VIII and the history of the Carthusian monks, owners of the domain from the XVIIth century until the French Revolution. This fresco ends with the fabulous architectural adventure of the 1900 Restoration when the dream of a great Alsatian industrialist made Ripaille a total work of art! Since this year, the dining room of the Engel-Gros family and the kitchen of the castle are refurnished and put back in function, come and discover this unique reconstitution of the daily life in the Belle Epoque!

Beyond history, visiting Ripaille means discovering a preserved nature, an exceptional land and magnificent gardens between Dent d'Oche and Lake Geneva. Come for a visit, a professional or cultural event, a private party or to taste the Ripaille AOC wine produced on site.

The Castle is the seat of a Foundation, created in 1976, which works for the conversation, the valorization and the animation of this monument. The preservation of the environment is at the center of its concerns.

* The visit of Ripaille is for young and old, with:

- The Amédée room dedicated to the presentation of medieval Savoyard civilization through the presentation of stained glass windows, numismatics, and original manuscripts.

- The reconstitution of the old kitchen of the Château de Ripaille and the dining room of the Belle Epoque: kitchen utensils, original objects, tableware, come and discover the modernity of Ripaille with the automatic windows or the dumbwaiter linking the first floor to the second floor.

- The film "Ripaille through time" in a specially dedicated projection room recounting the history of the Château de Ripaille.

- The free visit of the castle: the castle can be visited freely from April to October and during school vacations, from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10 am to 6 pm (closing at 5 pm on Saturdays), with the help of a paper documentation and audio guides in French, English and German.

- A special tour for children: spend a convivial moment with your family and follow Aymonet Corviaux, carpenter, architect and builder of Ripaille in 1434, through the maze of the castle. This tour will take you from the large terrace with a panoramic view of the lake, to the old cellars and medieval moats.

- The "Workshops in a mess. Wednesdays at Ripaille": creative and educational workshops offered every Wednesday, according to the opening calendar of the Castle.

- A temporary exhibition renewed every year.

Guided tours provided by professional guides.

Services include both the visit and the tasting or the visit, tasting and meal. Many formulas are possible. The Fondation Ripaille will study all requests by email visite@ripaille.fr or by phone 04 50 26 64 44.

3851 meters of difference in height

Maximum altitude : 1514 m
Minimum altitude : 378 m

Total positive elevation : 3851 m
Total negative elevation : -3851 m
Max positive elevation : 219 m
Min positive elevation : -262 m