AIGUILLE DU MIDI – THE FIRST AERIAL FUNICULAR OF FRANCE – 1924-2024

In 1924, the valley of Chamonix-Mont-Blanc inaugurated the first cable car to transport tourists.
Since 1901, the electric trains of the PLM company have already transported thousands of passengers to Chamonix. Tourism is changing and access to the mountains is changing. In 1909, the Montenvers rack railway opened the way.
The Aiguille du Midi is a majestic summit that gives access to eternal snow: it will quickly become an objective.
After several projects, the construction of an overhead railway with many pylons was retained.
Started in 1910, the construction works stopped because of the Great War.
In 1921, under the strong impetus of M. Joseph Vallot, a new company was founded to replace the first one that had gone bankrupt.
The French Mountain Railway Company (CFCFM) was born and abandoned works are resumed!
The year 1924 was a turning point for the history of France and its tourist facilities: the first Winter Olympic Games are held in Chamonix and the Aerial Funicular will start its history by operating only one of its cabins for the needs of the competition bobsleigh on 2 and 3 February 1924.
The opening to the public of the first «Chemin de Fer aérien de France» will take place during the summer season.
On Sunday, June 15, 1924, the excitement is there: the first daring will be able to leave the floor of the cows in a railway-style cabin! The first cable car was finally born, it leads to the station La Para at 1690 meters. The second section will open on August 17, 1927.

Crédit Denis Cardoso

ŠC. Gruffat

Photo on home page: Saturday, June 15, 2024, at the initiative of Denis Cardoso, a handful of enthusiasts met at the Pilgrims to celebrate the centenary, day for day, the commissioning of the Glacier cable car, the first aerial funicular in France to have transported people.