Mer de Glace, Valley glacier in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France.
The Mer de Glace extends 7 kilometers in length with a thickness of 200 meters, making it the largest glacier formation in France.
English explorer William Windham first documented the glacier in 1741, naming it Mer de Glace after observing its wave-like ice formations.
The Montenvers Grand Hotel, established in 1880, represents the early development of alpine tourism and mountaineering culture in the French Alps.
Visitors access the glacier via the Montenvers Railway, which departs regularly from Chamonix and climbs to an elevation of 1,913 meters.
An ice cave is carved annually into the glacier, allowing visitors to walk through tunnels of blue ice and observe internal glacial formations.
Location: Chamonix-Mont-Blanc
Address: Mer de Glace, 74400 Chamonix, France 74400
GPS coordinates: 45.91611,6.93722
Latest update: June 23, 2025 09:37
The Alps contain numerous natural landmarks, from high-altitude lakes with clear waters to prominent mountain peaks. This range features deep gorges with vertical walls, glaciers extending for kilometers, and distinctive geological formations. Lakes reflect surrounding peaks, while limestone formations create unique landscapes across different regions of the Alpine arc.
Mer de Glace ice cave
1.8 km
Vallée Blanche
2.9 km
Aiguille du Fou
2.8 km
Aiguille de Blaitière
2.7 km
Aiguille de Roc
2 km
Aiguille des Grands Charmoz
1.9 km
Aiguille du Plan
3.6 km
Aiguille de la République
1.7 km
Télécabine de la Mer de Glace
2.3 km
Aiguille de l'M
2 km
Dent du Requin
3.6 km
Tacul Glacier
2.1 km
Aiguille du Moine
1.8 km
Grand hôtel du Montenvers
2.5 km
Glaciorium
2.5 km
Aiguille des Pélerins
3.6 km
Glacier du Nant Blanc
2.7 km
Viaduc du Montenvers
2.6 km
Glacier de Blaitière
3.2 km
Charpoua Glacier
2.2 km
Envers de Blaitière Glacier
3.3 km
Drus Glacier
2.2 km
L'Évêque
2.1 km
Le Cardinal
2.5 km
La Nonne
1.9 km
Moine Glacier
2 km
Trélaporte Glacier
2 km
L'Enfant de Chœur
2.2 kmReviews
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