A new beginning
For the Montenvers – Mer de GlaceA new beginning
As part of the renovation program for the listed Montenvers site (new Public Service Delegation contract signed with the Municipality of Chamonix), we are pleased to inform you that major work has begun on the Montenvers site and will be spread over the next three years. Here are the main stages of the project :
- August 2022: renovation of the Temple of Nature.
- December 2023: commissioning of the new Mer de Glace gondola and removal of the old one, including footbridges and access steps to the cave.
- December 2024: commissioning of the “Glaciorium” climate and glacier interpretation center.
- December 2025: renovation of walkways and railings.
This challenge mobilizes all of our teams in order to limit the consequences of this work on your visit as much as possible, which will nevertheless be impacted over these three years.
We are also at your disposal for any information that you consider useful. For security reasons, we ask you to strictly respect the prohibited areas and to increase the vigilance that you already have for your children. During the works, the Crystal Museum, the Panoramic restaurant and its terrace are not accessible. Access to the cave is exclusively by the Mer de Glace gondola. Access to the Glaciorium and the Hôtel du Montenvers is open every day. Regarding the hiking routes from or to Montenvers, we invite you to consult our site and/or the Chamoniarde site* in order to find out about the current municipal decrees. Regarding the access of people whose movement necessarily requires a wheelchair, it is necessary to contact us in order to organize appropriate care within the limits of security constraints and reception capacities.
At the end of the meeting held this Friday, June 18th, the town hall of Chamonix and its municipal council validated a new public service delegation for the Montenvers - Mer de Glace site, entrusted for a 33 years duration. to the Compagnie de la Mer de Glace*, newly created to lead the development project of this historic site while respecting its environment and exploiting it.
* : Compagnie de la Mer de Glace is 60% owned by Compagnie du Mont Blanc, 30% by Banque des Territoires and 10% by Crédit Agricole.
The entry into effect of this new contract on July 1, 2021 announces the investment program that will be carried out over the first 4 years in order to meet the many challenges of the Montenvers site :
- Preserve and enhance the memory of a pioneer site in the history of the discovery of glaciers and of the access to high mountains.
- To protect and to discover a heritage, a landscape.
- Inform and educate visitors about climate change and its impact on the Mer de Glace glacier.
- Improve the quality of the tourist service offered to visitors in terms of site discovery and access to the glacier.
- Integrate and adapt the project with strict respect for the natural site of Montenvers (building architecture and technique).
This project is the outcome of 7 years of work between the teams of the town hall of Chamonix and the Compagnie du Mont Blanc to materialize the implementation of a touristic vision that respects and enhances the history, culture and the environment of an emblematic site, while facilitating access to the high mountains.
The main steps of the project :
- December 2023, commissioning of the new gondola lift Mer de Glace.
- December 2024, commissioning of the new interpretation center of climate and glacier « Glaciorium ».
We want to thank all the people who enabled the beginning of this new adventure for the Montenvers Mer de Glace site.
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