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CHAMONIX AND LE BREVENT CABLE CAR (2.520M): A CENTURY OF HISTORY
CHAMONIX AND LE BREVENT CABLE CAR (2.520m): A century of history. Our ALPS ROUTES section brings us today a classic route like few others to start or finish our route in Chamonix. Original article in Spanish by Mayayo here.
The Le Brevent Cable Car is, next to Aiguille de Midi, an almost obligatory visit in Chamonix. With the advantage that Brevent offers many ascent/ descent routes from its summit or PlanPraz, as an intermediate station. Let’s know their history.
CHAMONIX AND THE CABLE CAR LE BREVENT (2.520M)
A century of history (1928-2021)
For almost a hundred years now, climbing lovers, hikers, skiers and tourists have used this cable car every day with its fascinating history, which has allowed thousands of visitors, athletes or not, to access one of the most beautiful panoramas of the alpine landscape.
In my case, during the last edition of the Ultra Trail Mont Blanc I climbed twice to its top. The first from Chamonix by La Flegere, to go down to Les Houches afterwards. The second, from Les Houches to go down Planpraz to Chamonix. In both cases, with a stop at the spectacular panoramic restaurant at its top, where you can savor a “Tarte aux myrtylles” while reviewing the views and history.
LE BREVENT CABLE CAR: THE TRACK
For almost a hundred years now, climbing lovers, hikers, skiers and tourists have used this cable car every day with its fascinating history, which has allowed thousands of visitors, athletes or not, to access one of the most beautiful panoramas of the alpine landscape.
In my case, during the last edition of the Ultra Trail Mont Blanc I climbed twice to its top. The first from Chamonix by La Flegere, to go down to Les Houches afterwards. The second, from Les Houches to go down Planpraz to Chamonix. In both cases, with a stop at the spectacular panoramic restaurant at its top, where you can savor a “Tarte aux myrtylles” while reviewing the views and history.
Chamonix from Le Brevent. Photo: Mayayo
LE BREVENT CABLE CAR: HISTORY 1928-2021
It was in 1912 when the idea of this cable car was born in the mind of Alfred Cachat, owner of two large hotels in Chamonix, the Mont-Blanc and the Majestic, who then imagined an “aerial funicular” that would unite everything from the first place. hill of Planpraz, then summit of Brévent,.
The peak was already then a viewpoint frequented from Chamonix, but accessible only after passing the Col de Brevent up the “chimney of Brévent”. An aerial passage defended even today by several ramps equipped with scales that crosses the last rocky barrier that gives access to the summit.
After many setbacks, Alfred Cachat gave up, and it was Édouard Pellerin, a promoter, who set about carrying out the project with André Rebuffel, consulting engineer and project manager. In 1920 the works began and in 1927 the workshops of Chamonix René Schmidt delivered a first cabin.
On July 30, 1928 it officially opened its doors It was then the third cable car in France The summit of Brévent, at 2,500 meters, has become easily accessible thanks to a daring range of 1,950 meters long and 500 meters of unevenness, without pylons, a real technological feat for the time.
After its tourist construction came the takeoff of skiing that still gave it new impetus. For lovers of boards, the Brévent will then become the starting point of vertiginous and unprecedented descents.
Over time it will become an entire ski area, which includes the famous “Charles-Bozon” slope, and its 1,500 meters of altitude to Chamonix.
LE BREVENT CABLE CAR: RUNNING OPERATION 2021.
The site of Brévent is open in summer, providing service in its two sections: The Planpraz cable car and the Brévent cable car
When the cable car is open (sometimes weather conditions do not allow it) it offers departures every 15min from August 23 to September 12, 2021 inclusive.
The installation starts at 8:30 am, closing at 4:45 p.m. Last descent from Brévent at 4:45 p.m. and Planpraz at 5 p.m. Mountain bikes are authorized from July 1 to August 31 from 4 p.m.
As a curious detail, no reservations are made: You arrive, you pay, you go up. Or low, if you take it from Planpraz, because it is not allowed to take it only to go down from the top. Dogs on a leash are allowed.
PHOTO GALLERY BY MAYAYO
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