Aiguille du Midi (Aiguille du Midi) - mountain in France: description

There is one unusual playground (viewing 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.

To create this attraction developers pushed an incredible impression 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 on the site described in this article is no less extreme and spectacular. This is the most unique place - Mount Aaiguille du Midi, located in Upper Savoy (France). Its name is translated from French as "midday peak", and she received it because the sun during the noon is located directly above this peak, if you view this mountain from the resort of Chamonix.

Before we proceed to a more detailed account of 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 south-western, southern and eastern parts of the territory. In the central regions and in the east of France, the Central Massif, the Jura and the Vosges (mid-altitude) are located, in the southeast are the famous Alps (Mont Blanc is the highest point not only of France but also of all 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 are quite a small area, but it is surprisingly beautiful and impressive with its landscapes. Here among the plains are the snow-white peaks of numerous mountains, among which is the magnificent Aiguille Du Midi.

France is famous for its majestic and beautiful mountain ranges. On the map Aiguille du Midi can be found on the western side of Mont Blanc.

A bit of history

For about two decades the ropeway of these places wore the title of the highest, but still it is the record holder - it is the highest vertical climbing in the world in the world (the heights range from 1035 meters to 3842 meters).

For the first time, the construction project of Aiguille du Midi was born in 1905. The plan of the Swiss engineers was to connect the villages of Les Pelerins with the summit of du Midi. However, the problems of the technical plan prevented its implementation.

In 4 years, one large company Funicular Railways (France) made a second attempt. As a result, the first part of the famous cable car, which leads to the mountain from that very village, was opened in 1924. After 3 years, the construction of the second part of the rope route (La Para - Les Glaciers) was completed and from that moment it began to bear the title of the highest road in the world of this type.

Its popularity has for some time diminished in connection with the outbreak of war, and the equipment is obsolete. Therefore, in 1951, this path was closed.

Italian engineer Dino Laura Totino (count) breathed second life into this unique construction, and after 4 years of laborious work in 1955 the new cable car was again opened.

Mountain: description

There is a peak in the western portion of the Mont Blanc massif (western Alps). The pointed peak has a height of 3,842 meters. North of it, in the valley, is Chamonix (a famous ski resort), from where it leads to the top of the same cable car.

To the uppermost part of the mountain, with an observation deck on it with a restaurant, a cafe and a souvenir shop, you can go up in the cable car.

In France almost all mountains are attractive. Aiguille du Midi is a place that represents one of the most beautiful and visited by travelers. This mountain is magnificent. She may be the second most famous after Mont Blanc in France. It is visited by more than 2 thousand climbers, travelers, tourists and other lovers of active and romantic holidays.

Peaks of Aiguille du Midi

In fact, the peak has several peaks connected by various tunnels and transitions cut through the rock.

From the observation deck, the following peaks are perfectly seen: Mont Rose (4 thousand 638 meters), Grand Combin (4 thousand 317 m), Les Droites (4 thousand m), Aiguille Verte (4,122 m), 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).

Also from here you can see the Chamonix Valley with the same resort and Mont Blanc.

Viewing platforms at Aiguille du Midi

For fans of thrill this mountain in France - a great place to get adrenaline.

Those wishing to see stunning large-scale types of snowy mountains, huge glaciers and clefts must first overcome the eerie path along the long cable car to the very top, having stood in advance in line.

In the glass cabin, located on one of the mountain areas, special slippers are put on, protecting the floor from glass from scratching and damage. Such an observation deck is actually capable of tickling the nerves of even the most courageous and brave.

The developers of this overview ride assure that the walls of the cabin are able to withstand winds, the speed of which reaches 220 kilometers per hour, and also to transfer the temperature drops to 60 degrees. All the walls of the viewing platform are made of 12 mm thick glass. No wonder the observation booth, built of thick glass, is called "Step into the void." It hovers over a huge abyss.

Aiguille du Midi (literal translation - "half-day's needle") is well known and popular among climbers, snowboarders, etc.

The most recent high viewing platform can be reached by a free lift, inside which there is a counter showing the heights. Lift at one time can move no more than 10 passengers, but to climb to the top not all visitors to the mountain are solved.

All viewing platforms have large panoramic photos of the peaks with their names.

How to get to the summit

Lyon is the nearest major city with an airport. To Chamonix from it 220 kilometers, which can be reached by a public bus.

The mountain in France is accessible to all comers. A caravan that climbs to the very top, can accommodate up to 40 passengers. At the site on it for an hour can go up to 550 people. At an altitude of 2,317 meters there is a station (intermediate - Plan de l'Aiguille), from the site which also offers amazing views of the beautiful Chamonix.

Also from this place there is an opportunity to climb different mountaineering routes to the top of Aiguille du Midi. From the plateau located at this intermediate station, paragliders take off their forces, as they fly over the valley.

In the summer from this place on another cable car you can get to Italy, on Helbronner (peak, located 420 meters below). And from it funiculars can deliver tourists to the Italian ski resorts La Palud and Courmayeur.

Panoramic views from the site

Often, climbing to the highest station, you can observe an amazing picture. The board falls into heavy thick clouds, clinging to the numerous alpine peaks. It's worth saying that this spectacle is very impressive, especially when the journey takes place at noon. At this time, the sun is just above the top.

On the mountain are several observation platforms located at different levels. The uppermost of them (3,842 meters), as noted above, is above the lowest by seventy meters. Each of them has a delightful panoramic view.

Aiguille du Midi is an amazingly fabulous place.

Climate

Dress for such alpine trips you need as warm as possible even in hot summer, because at the height of the mountains the temperature is noticeably lower than the bottom.

When making the ascent to the top of Mount Aiguille du Midi, one 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, because of the strong wind at the top. For example, in the summer (in June) in the Chamonix Valley 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 represents the highest observatory in Europe. The building is topped by domes and towers. It is located at the peak of the Midi de Bigorre (2 thousand 877 meters). The astronomical observatory, called the Pic du Midi, was founded in 1881.

Previously, it was an impregnable fortress for those wishing to see the fantastic space pictures, and today there are 19 rooms for guests - lovers of a romantic holiday.

The construction of the observatory was started as far back as 1878, and it was discovered in 1881 initially as a meteorological observation. The cable car leads to this place. Since 1963, a huge telescope has been used for detailed imaging of the lunar surface during the preparation of the Apollo program. In the system was launched (in 1980), another, the largest in France, a telescope (2-meter).

Conclusion

The peak of Aiguille du Midi (Alps) is widely visited by numerous tourists from all over the world.

It is necessary to see all the indescribable greatness of the Alps and the snow-capped peaks, to feel dizzy from the incredible beauty around and the freshness of the amazingly clean air. And this unusual observation booth, in shape resembling a glass cube, makes it possible for the bravest, having overcome their fear, to make an incredibly complex "step into the abyss" and over it to soar, admiring the surrounding nature.

Travel to these places should be done to anyone who turned out to be in the East of France, in the upper Savoy (the Rhône-Alpes region). One of the most beautiful places in the world will not leave anyone indifferent.