Saint-Gervais Mont Blanc Takes Mountain Access to a New Level With 3 New Links Ahead of the 2024 – 2025 Winter Season

Andrea Thompson

ByAndrea Thompson

November 13, 2024
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The historic alpine & spa resort of Saint-Gervais Mont-Blanc is writing a new chapter in sustainable mountain tourism with the launch of three ground-breaking transport innovations.

The ambitious project makes Saint-Gervais one of the few French mountain resorts to offer direct cable car access from major European railway lines, marking a significant step forward in eco-friendly mountain mobility. The resort has appointed Vestmar PR to handle its winter PR initiatives, showcasing its commitment to innovative and sustainable solutions for the future and putting the spotlight on a hidden gem in the French Alps.

Three major transport innovations will transform access to the resort

Le Valléen Gondola – Opened September 2024

  • Connects SNCF train station at Le Fayet to Saint-Gervais village in just 5 minutes
  • Le Fayet has TGV access to Paris with a journey time of 4h25m during the main holiday period
  • The gondola is immediately accessible from the train station
  • Expected to reduce daily road traffic by 25%
  • Capacity: 1,200 passengers per hour

L’Alpin Gondola – Opening December 2024

  • Seamlessly connects with Le Valléen gondola
  • Capacity: 2,800 people per hour
  • Enables access to slopes at 1,400m altitude in just 7 minutes from the train station
  • Saint-Gervais becomes the only resort in the French Alps to offer direct gondola access from major European rail routes

Ascenseur des Thermes – Opened August 2024

  • France’s first wastewater-powered funicular
  • The innovative hydraulic system and techniques have been designed by the French company POMA, and is based on a new technology devised by Michael Farmer, a British engineer living in Saint-Gervais Mont Blanc
  • Links thermal baths to town centre in 3 minutes
  • The funicular is free to use

Leading the Way in Sustainable Mountain Tourism

The environmental impact of these developments is substantial

  • Projected 15% reduction in CO2 emissions
  • Decrease of approximately 15,000 cars annually on mountain roads or around 25% of road traffic reduction
  • This is in addition to the Mont-Blanc Tramway which has been in operation since 1909 and all trains are fully electrical and allows guests with reduced mobility to visit the mountains

Jean-Marc Peillex, Mayor of Saint-Gervais-les-Bains, emphasizes: “This isn’t just about transport – it’s about reimagining mountain access for future generations. We’re proving that innovation and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand.”

On the slopes

  • Two ski areas to choose from: Évasion Mont-Blanc and Saint-Gervais/Les Houches
  • Évasion Mont-Blanc is France’s third-largest ski area with over 400km of ski runs
  • Improved beginners’ area at 1,840m
  • Perfect snow coverage thanks to 1,022 snow cannons

Off the Slopes

  • Thermal spa featuring 39°C natural springs
  • The thermal spa offers a host of medical and relaxing treatments including a new floating massage experience
  • Year-round cultural events at the museum La Maison Forte de Hautetour and the neighbouring villages
  • New culinary experiences including:
    • Casa Nostra restaurant in Saint-Gervais centre
    • Marie Paradis bar at Hotel Le Saint Gervais
    • New slope-side restaurant ‘Le Boitet’ by three-Michelin-starred Chef Emmanuel Renaut
  • New hotel: Le Plan B ideally located near the train station, the Mont-Blanc tramway station and the Le Valléen cable car