Our second day in France we decided to head over to Chamonix to visit Aiguille du Midi. This peak mountain top is only accessible by a 2-step cable car ride up to the top of the mountain 12,392 feet.
The cable car travels quickly up the mountain with a change of cars at the midpoint. It is standing only and there are about 25 to 30 people in the car with you, it does get a little tight, but the ride is fast. The scenery is amazing and takes you mind off any fears you may feel. Once up at the top there is an elevator that takes you even higher.
The cost for the experience costs about $70.00 per person but where else can you view the French, Swiss and Italian Alps? There are also several different viewing platforms to see glaciers and rocky peaks as well as exhibits about the history of mountain climbing and how the cable cars operate.
We spend about 2 hours at the peak and were starting to feel the effects of the high altitude, time to head down. At the midpoint change of cars were stopped for lunch and to watch handglides taking off over the glacier.
The town of Chamonix was fun to walk through the shops and stop for hot chocolate. Of course, there are plenty of shops to browse for gifts.
We based our stay in Annecy, France. We where about 30 miles south of Geneva, Switzerland and about 100 miles from Lyon.
Check back in a couple of days to hear about Annecy and their fun market day!
