Téléphérique du pic du Midi de Bigorre, Aerial tramway in Bagnères-de-Bigorre, France.
The Téléphérique du Pic du Midi de Bigorre is an aerial tramway in the Hautes-Pyrénées, near Bagnères-de-Bigorre, that carries passengers from the mountain station of La Mongie up to the summit of Pic du Midi de Bigorre at about 2,877 ft (2,877 m). The ride runs in two sections, stopping at the intermediate Taoulet station before reaching the top.
The observatory at the summit dates back to the late 19th century, but for decades reaching it required a long and difficult climb on foot or by mule. The cable car was built in the 1950s to make the ascent manageable for both researchers and regular visitors.
At the top, a working astronomical observatory lets visitors look through telescopes and see the same instruments that scientists use for real research. The place draws people curious about astronomy, and on clear nights special sessions open the observatory to the public.
Warm clothing and wind-resistant layers are worth packing, as temperatures at the top drop well below what you feel at the base. The intermediate stop at Taoulet is a good place to pause if you need time to adjust before going higher.
The observatory here was used to produce some of the first detailed maps of the Moon, and NASA used images from this site to help plan the Apollo missions. That connection to the Moon landings is something most visitors walking through the summit station never suspect.
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