Work on the Mont Blanc Tramway at the Nid d'Aigle An exceptional project comes to an end

Since 1909, the Tramway du Mont-Blanc, France’s highest cog railway, has linked Le Fayet station at an altitude of 580 metres to the summit of the Nid d’Aigle at an altitude of 2,372 metres, on a steep and unsafe slope. Work on extending the track, interrupted in 1914 by the First World War, had never been resumed since.

A few years ago, therefore, the ambition was born to continue the dream of the tramway pioneers, by extending the track by 280 linear metres, and adding an integrated bollard gallery at the exit of the current tunnel, to ensure an optimum level of protection.

Begun in the summer of 2023, the track extension project will be completed this autumn. The final arrival of the TMB will now be in a more secure site, accessible to people with reduced mobility and close to the Nid d’aigle refuge. In a second phase, starting in autumn 2026, the refuge will be redeveloped and extended to create a reception area for tramway visitors.

Stéphane Donnot, sub-prefect of Bonneville, Martial Saddier, President of the Conseil départemental, Xavier Roseren, Member of the Haute-Savoie Member of Parliament for Haute-Savoie, Jean-Marc Peillex, Mayor of Saint-Gervais, as well as a large number of departmental and municipal councillors were on hand to welcome this extension to the railway line. They all praised the exceptional nature of this project, carried out in the heart of a high-mountain environment at the foot of the Bionnassay glacier.

As the project was taking place on a listed site, the work was carried out with the utmost care and expertise. The works were integrated into the site in accordance with the requirements of the Architecte des Bâtiments de France and the Inspecteur des Sites. The use of granite stones taken directly from the site and hand-matched for the construction of the retaining walls, the transport of the materials by train, the respect for the approaches to the tracks : Each stage has been designed to respect the soul of the site and minimise the impact on the natural area.

It was a meticulous job, carried out over 300 metres in demanding conditions, which called on the know-how of companies who were experts in their fields (Benedetti-Guelpa, Accro BTP, Vinci, etc.) and on consultation between the Compagnie du Tramway du Mont-Blanc, departmental services and local players, including the Saint-Gervais town council.

The cost of the work is €7.4 million, 100% financed by the Haute-Savoie Departmental Council, which is making major investments in this jewel.

– Autumn 2025: Trains arrive on the new infrastructure before the snow sets in.

– Summer 2026: Arrival at the Nid d’Aigle (2,400 m) on a stabilised platform.

– Autumn 2026: Start of work to extend and fit out the refuge.

– Summer 2028: Scheduled completion of the entire project.