The Grandes Jorasses

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A trip to Chamonix is an opportunity to discover the most beautiful panoramas and summits in the Alps and in France.

The Grandes Jorasses is one of the most legendary mountains in the Alps, on the border between France and Italy. In the Mont-Blanc massif, it is a long, tapering ridge almost a kilometer long with several peaks standing out:

  • The highest point, standing 4,208 metres high, is Pointe Walker.
  • Pointe Whymper, 4,184 metres high.
  • Pointe Croz, 4,110 metres high.
  • Pointe Hélène, à 4,045 metres high.
  • Pointe Marguerite, 4,066 metres high.
  • And finally Pointe Young, 3,996 metres high.

The Grandes Jorasses are one of the 82 peaks over 4,000 metres in altitude in the Alps.

 

Mountaineering on the Grandes Jorasses

The first ascent of Pointe Whymper took place on 24 June 1865. The team, consisting of Edward Whymper, Michel Croz, Christian Almer and Franz Biner, was only looking for a view of the Aiguille Verte and did not reach the summit.

On 30 June 1868, Horace Walker, Melchior Anderegg, Johann Jaun and Julien Grange made the first ascent to the highest point of Pointe Walker.

The Grandes Jorasses is a legendary mountain, well-known to seasoned mountaineers. In the Mont-Blanc massif, its reputation comes mainly from its north face which is 1,200 metres high and one of the largest granite faces in the Alps.

It is one of the famous “three great north faces of the Alps”, together with the Eiger and the Matterhorn.

This north face has long been considered one of the “great challenges of the Alps”. Its first ascent was made in 1935 by Martin Meier and Rudolf Peters, who used the Croz Spur route. Today, there are many routes that allow its ascent, but all of them are of great difficulty.

 

Panoramic views of the Grandes Jorasses

For those who wish to get as close as possible to the Grandes Jorasses, another solution is possible. A unique ride on a gondola that links the Aiguille du Midi to the Pointe Helbronner, near the north face of the Grandes Jorasses.

This amazing journey from summit to summit offers a breathtaking panorama of the Mont-Blanc massif and particularly the Grandes Jorasses.

 

The Aiguille du Midi cable car

To reach the aforementioned gondola, you must first go to the Aiguille du Midi, one of the region’s must-sees for more than 60 years, which offers an unmatched view of the mountains from one of the highest peaks in the Mont Blanc massif.

From the centre of Chamonix, take a first cable car which will take you to the Plan de l’Aiguille in 10 minutes. The first stop is at an altitude of 2,310 metres.

Then, a second cable car will take you to the top of the Aiguille du Midi in 10 minutes, at an altitude of 3,777 metres. A 360° panorama on all the Alps (French, Italian and Swiss) now lays before you.

On the spot, you will discover an exceptional panorama of Mont Blanc, the mountains and the valley. To reach the summit terrace, at 3,842 metres, you have to take a lift. From there, you have an unparalleled view of Mont Blanc.

You can also take advantage of the most famous attraction of the Aiguille du Midi: the “Step into the void”. A glass cage over a 1,000-metre drop overlooking the snow-covered massifs.

 

The Panoramic Mont-Blanc cable car

Once you’re at the top of the Aiguille du Midi, at an altitude of 3,777 metres, board one of the Panoramic Mont-Blanc cabins to reach the Pointe Helbronner at 3,466 metres, in Italy.

During the 50-minute crossing, the gondola stops several times to give you time to enjoy the high mountain scenery. Above the Vallée Blanche and the Glacier du Géant, between all shades of white and blue, you can now admire the glaciers, crevasses and seracs below, and look up to admire the majestic Grandes Jorasses.

You can buy a round trip or a single ticket to the Italian side, for a magical journey in the middle of the glacial immensity. Those memories are guaranteed to last forever.

 

Practical information

You will be heading for the high mountains, so bring warm clothes, even in summer, sunglasses and sun cream.

For safety reasons, the gondolas are forbidden to children under 5 years old.

Consult the information board and notes that correspond to your visit, as the timetable and frequency of departures may vary according to the time of year and the number of visitors.

Finally, remember to take your passport or identity card, as you will be arriving in Italy when you reach Pointe Helbronner.

 

Timetable and prices

Please note that the Aiguille du Midi and Panoramic Mont-Blanc cable cars do not have the same timetables or the same prices. The timetables change according to the time of the year.

 

The Aiguille du Midi cable car

The Aiguille du Midi cable car is open from May to November, depending on the weather conditions. The timetable and frequency of lifts vary according to the period and the number of visitors. Overall, there are gondolas every 15 or 30 minutes, the gondola is open from 8.10am and the last journey up is at 4.30pm. Prices:

  • Adults (ages 15 to 64): round trip 67€, one-way 51€.
  • Youth and Senior (ages 5 to 14 and over 65): round trip 57€, one-way 43,40€.
  • Family ticket (2 adults + 2 to 5 children): round trip 207,80€.

 

The Panoramic Mont-Blanc cable car

The Panoramic Mont-Blanc cable car is open from June to September, depending on weather conditions. The lift times vary according to the period and the number of visitors. Generally, the gondola is open from 8am and the last journey up is at 3.45pm. Prices:

  • Adults (ages 15 to 64): round trip 100€, one-way 83€.
  • Youth and Senior (ages 5 to 14 and over 65): round trip 85€, one-way 71€.
  • Family ticket (2 adults + 2 to 5 children): round trip 310€.
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