There is one unusual site (observation cabin) in the French Alps, equipped relatively recently. It is located over a huge precipice and is made entirely of glass. Its height above sea level is 3842 meters.
The creation of this attraction of the developers was prompted by incredible impressions of the glass bridge (the first in the world) over the Grand Canyon (its height is more than 1000 meters from the bottom of the gorge).
Being in the place described in this article is no less extreme and spectacular. This unique place is Mount Aaiguille du Midi, located in Haute Savoie (France). Its name is translated from French as “midday peak”, and it got it due to the fact that during the afternoon the sun is located directly above this peak, if you look at this mountain from the side of the Chamonix resort.
Before we move on to a more detailed story about this peculiar place, we give a little information about the mountains of France.
Mountains of france
Beautiful country - France. The map shows that its mountains mostly occupy the southwestern, southern and eastern parts of the territory. In the central regions and in the east of France, the Central Massif, Jura and Vosges (mid-altitude) are located, in the southeast are the famous Alps (Mont Blanc is the highest point not only in France, but throughout Western Europe), and in the southwest are no less famous Pyrenees. The height of the most famous peak of France Mont Blanc is 4807 meters.
The French Alps is a very small area, but it is surprisingly beautiful and impressive in its scenery. Here among the plains there are snow-white peaks of numerous mountains, among which the magnificent Aiguille Du Midi is located.
France is famous for its majestic and beautiful mountain ranges. A map of Aiguille du Midi can be found on the western side of Mont Blanc.
A bit of history
For about two decades, the cable car of these places was called the highest, however, and still it is the record holder - it is the highest vertical mountain climbing path in the world (the heights here have a difference from 1,035 meters to 3,842 meters).
For the first time, the Aiguille du Midi construction project was born in 1905. The plan of the Swiss engineers was to connect the village of Les Pelerins with the peak du Midi. However, problems of the technical plan prevented its implementation.
After 4 years, one major company Funicular Railways (France) made a second attempt. As a result, the first part of the famous cable car, paving the way uphill from the same village, was opened in 1924. After 3 years, the construction of the second part of the cable car route (La Para - Les Glaciers) was completed and from that moment she began to bear the title of the highest road in the world of this type.
Its popularity for some time decreased due to the outbreak of war, and the equipment is outdated. Therefore, in 1951, this path was closed.
The second life in this unique construction was breathed by the Italian engineer Dino Laura Totino (count), and after 4 years of laborious work in 1955, a new cable car was reopened.
Mountain: Description
The peak is located in the western part of the Mont Blanc massif (western Alps). The peaked peak has a height of 3 thousand 842 meters. To the north of it, in the valley, is Chamonix (a famous ski resort), from where the cable car leads to the top.
You can climb to the very top of the mountain with an observation deck with a restaurant, cafe and souvenir shop on it in a cable car.
Almost all mountains are attractive in France. Aiguille du Midi - a place representing one of the most beautiful and visited by travelers. This mountain is magnificent. She is perhaps the second most famous after Mont Blanc in France. More than 2 thousand climbers, travelers, tourists and other lovers of active and romantic holidays climb it daily.
Aiguille du Midi Peaks
In fact, the peak has several peaks, interconnected by various tunnels and passages, carved into the rock.
The following peaks are perfectly visible from the observation deck: Mont Rose (4 thousand 638 meters), Grand Combin (4 thousand 317 meters), Les Droites (4 thousand meters), Aiguille Verte (4 thousand 112 meters), Les Courtes ( 3 thousand 856 m), Les Drus (3 thousand 754 m), Aiguilette des Houches (2 thousand 285 m), La Brevent (1 thousand 985 m), Prarion (1 thousand 969 m).
From here you can also see the Chamonix valley with the resort of the same name and Mont Blanc.
Observation Decks at Aiguille du Midi
For fans of thrills, this mountain in France is a great place to get adrenaline.
Those who want to see stunning large-scale views of snowy mountains, huge glaciers and crevices must first overcome the eerie path along the long cable car to the very top, having previously stood in line.
In the glass cabin, located on one of the sites of the mountain, special slippers are put on to protect the glass floor from scratching and damage. Such an observation deck is actually capable of tickling nerves even by the most daring and courageous.
The developers of this review attraction claim that the walls of the cabin are able to withstand winds, the speed of which reaches 220 kilometers per hour, as well as withstand temperature extremes up to 60 degrees. All walls of the viewing platform are made of glass of 12 mm thickness. It is not for nothing that the observation cabin, built of thick glass, is called "Step into the Void". She soars over a huge precipice.
Aiguille du Midi (literal translation - “half-day needle”) is well known and popular among climbers, snowboarders, etc.
You can get to the latest high observation deck by a free elevator, inside of which there is a counter showing the elevation values. An elevator can move no more than 10 passengers at a time, but not all visitors to the mountain decide to go up to the very top.
All viewing platforms have large panoramic photos of the peaks with their names.
How to get, climb to the top
Lyon is the nearest major city with an airport. It is 220 kilometers from Chamonix, which can be reached by regular passenger bus.
The mountain in France is accessible to all comers. The trailer, rising to the very top, will intervene up to 40 passengers. Up to 550 people can climb to the site on it in one hour. At an altitude of 2,317 meters there is a station (intermediate - Plan de l'Aiguille), from the platform of which there are also amazing views of the beautiful Chamonix.
Also from this place there is an opportunity to climb various mountain climbing routes to the top of the Aiguille du Midi. From the plateau located at this intermediate station, paragliders taking off above the valley also try their hand.
In the summer, from this place by another cable car you can also get to Italy, to Helbronner (the peak located 420 meters below). And from it funiculars can deliver tourists to the Italian ski resorts of La Palud and Courmayeur.
Panoramic views from the site
Often, climbing to the very top station, you can observe an amazing picture. Lining falls into heavy dense clouds clinging to numerous alpine peaks. It is worth saying that such a spectacle is very impressive, especially when the trip takes place at noon. At this time, the sun stands exactly above the peak.
On the mountain there are several viewing platforms located at different levels. The uppermost of them (3,842 meters), as noted above, is seventy meters above the lowest. Each of them offers amazing panoramic views.
Aiguille du Midi is an amazingly fabulous place.
Climate
Dressing for such alpine trips is necessary as warmer as possible, even in hot summers, because at the height of the mountains the temperature is much lower than below.
When making the ascent to the top of the Aiguille du Midi mountain, one should bear in mind the temperature difference between the lower station and the upper. It reaches about 20 degrees Celsius, and sometimes more, due to the strong wind above. For example, in the summer (June) in the Chamonix Valley about +23 degrees, and at the very top - minus 5 degrees.
Astronomical observatory
There is another interesting object in these places. This historical monument represents the highest observatory in Europe. The building is crowned with domes and towers. It is located at the peak of Midi de Bigorre (2 thousand 877 meters). An astronomical observatory, called the Pique du Midi, was founded in 1881.
Previously, it was an impregnable fortress for those who wanted to see fantastic space paintings, but today there are 19 rooms for guests - lovers of a romantic getaway.
The construction of the observatory was begun in 1878, and it was opened in 1881, originally as a meteorological one. A cable car leads to this establishment. Since 1963, a huge telescope has been used for detailed photography of the lunar surface in the process of preparing the Apollo program. Another system was launched (in 1980), the largest telescope in France (2-meter).
Conclusion
The summit of the Aiguille du Midi (Alps) is widely visited by many tourists from many different countries.
It is necessary to see all the indescribable grandeur of the Alps and snow-capped peaks, feel dizzy from the incredible beauty around and the freshness of amazingly clean air. And this unusual viewing cabin, resembling a glass cube in shape, makes it possible for the most courageous, overcoming their fear, to take an incredibly complex "step into the abyss" and soar above it, admiring the surrounding nature.
A trip to these places should be done by anyone in the east of France, in upper Savoy (Rhône-Alpes region). One of the most beautiful places in the world will not leave anyone indifferent.