There is one unusual platform (observation booth) in the French Alps, equipped relatively recently. It is located over a huge abyss and is made entirely of glass. Its height above sea level is 3842 meters.
The 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) prompted the developers to create this attraction.
Being in the place described in this article is no less extreme and spectacular. This unique place is the mountain Aaiguille du Midi, located in Haute-Savoie (France). Its name is translated from French as "midday peak", and she received it due to the fact that the sun at noon is located directly above this peak, if you view this mountain from the Chamonix resort.
Before we move on to a more detailed story about this peculiar place, we will 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 eastFrance is located in the Massif Central, the Jura and the Vosges (mid- altitude), in the southeast - the famous Alps (Mont Blanc is the highest point not only in France, but throughout Western Europe), and in the southwest - the equally 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 amazingly beautiful and impressive with its landscapes. 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. On the map, the 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 the highest, however, it still holds the record - this is the world's highest vertical climbing route to the mountains (heights here have a difference from 1035 meters to 3842 m).
The Aiguille du Midi project was first born in 1905. The plan of the Swiss engineers was to connect the village of Les Pelerins with the summit du Midi. However, technical problems prevented its implementation.
After 4 years, one large company Funicular Railways (France) made a second attempt. As a result, the first part of the famous cable car, paving the way up the mountain 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 itbegan to bear the title of the highest road of this type in the world.
Its popularity for some time decreased due to the beginning of the war, and the equipment was outdated. Therefore, in 1951, this path was closed.
The Italian engineer Dino Laura Totino (Count) breathed a second life into this unique construction, and after 4 years of hard work in 1955 the new cable car was reopened.
Mountain description
The summit is located on the western stretch of the Mont Blanc massif (western Alps). The pointed peak has a height of 3,842 meters. To the north of it, in the valley, is Chamonix (a famous ski resort), from where the same cable car leads to the top.
To the very top of the mountain, with an observation deck with a restaurant, cafe and souvenir shop located on it, you can climb in the cable car.
In France, almost all mountains are attractive. Aiguille du Midi is one of the most beautiful and most visited by travelers. This mountain is amazing. She is perhaps the second most famous after Mont Blanc in France. More than 2,000 climbers, travelers, tourists and other lovers of active and romantic holidays climb it every day.
Peaks of the Aiguille du Midi
In fact, the peak has several peaks, interconnected by various tunnels and passages cut through the rock.
The following peaks are perfectly viewed from the observation deck: Mont Rose (4thousand 638 meters), Grand Combin (4 thousand 317 m), Les Droites (4 thousand m), Aiguille Verte (4 thousand 122 m), Les Courtes (3 thousand 856 m), Les Drus (3 thousand 754 m), Aiguilette des Houches (2,285 m), La Brevent (1,985 m), Prarion (1,969 m).
Also from here you can see the Chamonix Valley with the resort of the same name and Mont Blanc.
Viewpoints at Aiguille du Midi
For thrill-seekers, this mountain in France is the perfect adrenaline rush.
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 itself, 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 the nerves of even the most daring and courageous.
The developers of this sightseeing attraction claim that the walls of the cabin are able to withstand winds that reach speeds of 220 kilometers per hour, as well as to endure temperature drops of up to 60 degrees. All walls of the viewing platform are made of glass 12 mm thick. No wonder the observation cabin, built of thick glass, is called "Step into the Void." She hovers over a huge abyss.
Aiguille du Midi (literal translation - "half-day needle") is well known and popular among climbers, snowboarders and others.
To the very last high lookoutThe site can be reached by a free elevator, inside which there is a counter showing the heights. The elevator can move no more than 10 passengers at a time, but not all visitors to the mountain decide to climb to the very top.
All viewing platforms have large panoramic photos of peaks with their names.
How to get there, climb to the top
Lyon is the nearest major city with an airport. Chamonix is 220 kilometers away and can be reached by regular passenger bus.
A mountain in France is available to everyone. The trailer, rising to the very top, will accommodate up to 40 passengers. Up to 550 people can climb to the platform 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 amazing views of beautiful Chamonix also open up.
Also from this place there is an opportunity to climb different climbing routes to the top of the Aiguille du Midi. From the plateau located at this intermediate station, paragliders take off over the valley and try their hand.
In summer, from this place, another cable car can take you to Italy, to the Helbronner (a 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, going up to the highest station, one can observe an amazing picture. The lining falls into heavy thick clouds clinging tonumerous alpine peaks. It is worth saying that such a spectacle is very impressive, especially when the journey takes place at noon. At this time, the sun is exactly over the top.
There are several observation platforms located at different levels on the mountain. The highest of them (3,842 meters), as noted above, is seventy meters higher than the lowest. Each of them offers breathtaking panoramic views.
Aiguille du Midi is an amazingly fabulous place.
Climate
To dress for such alpine trips you need to be as warm as possible even in hot summer, because at the height of the mountains the temperature is noticeably lower than below.
When climbing the upper part of the Aiguille du Midi, you should keep in mind the difference in temperatures between the lower station and the upper one. It reaches about 20 degrees Celsius, and sometimes more, due to strong winds overhead. For example, in the summer (in June) in the Chamonix valley it is about +23 degrees, and at the very top - minus 5 degrees.
Astronomical observatory
There is one more interesting object in these places. This historical monument is the highest observatory in Europe. The building is crowned with domes and towers. It is located on the peak of Midi de Bigorre (2 thousand 877 meters). Established an astronomical observatory called Pic du Midi in 1881.
Before it was an impregnable fortress for those who want to see fantastic space pictures, but today there are 19 rooms for guests - lovers of a romantic getaway.
ConstructionThe observatory was begun in 1878, and it was opened in 1881, initially as a meteorological one. A cable car leads to this place. Since 1963, a huge telescope has been used to take detailed pictures of the lunar surface in preparation for the Apollo program. Another telescope, the largest in France (2 meters), was put into operation (in 1980).
Conclusion
The summit of the Aiguille du Midi (Alps) is widely visited by numerous tourists from all over the world.
You should definitely see all the indescribable grandeur of the Alps and snow-covered peaks, feel dizzy from the incredible beauty around and the freshness of amazingly clean air. And this unusual observation cabin, shaped like a glass cube, gives the most daring, overcoming their fear, an opportunity to take an incredibly difficult "step into the abyss" and soar above it, admiring the surrounding nature.
A trip to these places should be done by anyone who finds himself in the East of France, in the upper Savoie (Rhone-Alpes region). One of the most beautiful places in the world will not leave anyone indifferent.
