Aiguille du Midi
Chamonix, France
A cable car climbs to 3,842 m, face to face with Mont Blanc. Bring warm layers, even in August.
The Aiguille du Midi is a 3,842-metre peak in the Mont Blanc massif above Chamonix. The cable car starts in Chamonix and climbs about 2,800 metres. According to Lonely Planet it runs year-round, but it closes every year for about six weeks of maintenance, in 2026 from 1 November (as of October 2026). Please check operating times and the reopening date beforehand.
Particularly spectacular is the glass cube “Step into the Void”, which gives a view straight down. The mid-station Plan de l'Aiguille, at 2,317 metres, is a good starting point for hikes and paragliding, and one-way tickets are available there. From late May to September the Panoramic Mont Blanc gondola runs to Pointe Helbronner (3,466 m) on the French-Italian border; the ride takes about 50 minutes.
Tip: pack warm clothing, because even in summer it can be bitterly cold up top.
- Nearest town
- Chamonix, France
- Category
- Scenic viewpoints
- GPS
- 45.8786, 6.8874
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually June–August. Still fine, with some compromises, in September. Cold, short days in November–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- France: Motorway tolls. Tolls on most autoroutes; the limit drops to 110 km/h in rain. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Camping Les ArollesCampsite4 km from Aiguille du MidiTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Les 2 GlaciersCampsite5 km from Aiguille du MidiTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Camping Les CimesCampsite5 km from Aiguille du MidiTentsCaravansElectricityShowersDogs allowedWi-Fi
- Camping Les MarmottesCampsite5 km from Aiguille du MidiTentsCaravansDrinking waterShowersToiletsNo dogsWi-Fi
- Mer de GlaceCampsite7 km from Aiguille du Midi · 150 pitchesTentsMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterShowersToilets
- Montebianco La SorgenteCampsite9 km from Aiguille du MidiTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToilets
All campsites in France · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Aiguille du Midi?
Aiguille du Midi is in Chamonix, France, at GPS 45.8786, 6.8874. It is about 12 km from Courmayeur.
Can you camp near Aiguille du Midi?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Camping Les Arolles, about 4 km away; within 25 km there are 52 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Aiguille du Midi?
Aiguille du Midi is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Route des Grandes Alpes: Lake Geneva to the Riviera.
What is there to see near Aiguille du Midi?
Places worth a stop nearby: Mer de Glace (7 km), Great St Bernard Hospice (22 km), Lac du Chevril and Tignes dam (42 km) and Grande Dixence Dam (46 km).
When is the best time to visit Aiguille du Midi?
The most pleasant months are usually June–August. Still fine, with some compromises, in September. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)