Place to visit
Mer de Glace, France: what it is and when to go
Mer de Glace is a glacier in France (Courmayeur). Interests: Nature. The best time to visit is April to October. In June there are 15 h 31 of daylight, and in December, 8 h 29. It has articles in 25 Wikipedias, so it is not one of the busiest places in France: one to enjoy at a calmer pace. Here is what it is, where it lies, when to come, how to get there and what else is nearby to turn it into a trip.
In a nutshell
- What it is
- Glacier in France · Nature
- Where
- France
- Best time
- April to October.
- Nearest airport
- LYS Colombier-Saugnieu, Rhône, 145 km as the crow flies
- Coordinates
- 45.91367, 6.93475
What it is and where
Mer de Glace is a glacier in France (Courmayeur). It has articles in 25 Wikipedias, so it is not one of the busiest places in France: one to enjoy at a calmer pace.
It is in Courmayeur, where this site lists 182 more places to see, 7.4 km from the centre.
Its coordinates are 45.91367, 6.93475; the nearest main airport is Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport (LYS, Colombier-Saugnieu, Rhône), 145 km as the crow flies. How to get around France (train, car, bus) is covered in its country guide.
Where it is (opens in a new tab)Directions (opens in a new tab)
It is one of the Nature places in France. In Kokai it is already on your trip map next to the places you save yourself, and it goes into a day's plan with one tap.
When to go
The best time to visit Mer de Glace is April to October.
- JanPossible8:51
- FebPossible10:07
- MarPossible11:37
- AprBest time13:19
- MayBest time14:44
- JunBest time15:31
- JulBest time15:12
- AugBest time13:57
- SepBest time12:18
- OctBest time10:40
- NovPossible9:12
- DecPossible8:29
Best timePossibleBetter notHours of daylight
In June there are 15 h 31 of daylight, and in December, 8 h 29. Daylight hours are calculated from the site's latitude for the 15th of each month; when planning a full day on foot they matter as much as the weather.
When to go to France in general, with its festivals and peak seasons, is in its country guide.
Before you go to France
To enter France there are 6 things to sort out before you leave, starting with “Valid ID card (DNI) or passport”: they are all, with their deadlines, in the France checklist. Currency: Euro (EUR); plugs: Type C and E · 230 V · 50 Hz; emergencies: 112 · 15 ambulance (SAMU) · 17 police · 18 fire brigade.
In Kokai you tick off the checklist inside your trip, and each item reminds you when it is time to do it.
What is nearby
- Tête de TrélaporteMountain in France689 m
- Thendia GlacierGlacier1.1 km
- Trélaporte GlacierGlacier1.2 km
- Aiguille de la RépubliqueMountain in France1.4 km
- Aiguille des Grands CharmozNature · Mountains1.6 km
Distances are as the crow flies. Everything else is in the France guide.
More in France: Nature
- Mont Blanc: highest mountain in the Alps
- Chartres Cathedral: medieval Catholic cathedral in Chartres, France
- Lascaux: cave in southwestern France famous for its Paleolithic cave paintings
- Chauvet Cave: cave in France
- Champ de Mars: large public green space in Paris, France
- Jardin du Luxembourg: urban park in Paris, France
Every France place under Nature, each with its season, is on its page.
Frequently asked questions
What is Mer de Glace?
It is a glacier in France. It has articles in 25 Wikipedias, so it is not one of the busiest places in France: one to enjoy at a calmer pace.
When is the best time to visit Mer de Glace?
April to October. In June there are 15 h 31 of daylight, and in December, 8 h 29.
How do you get to Mer de Glace?
The nearest main airport is Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport (LYS), 145 km as the crow flies. From there, directions opens the route on the map, and how to get around France is explained in its country guide.
How do I add it to my trip?
With one tap. In Kokai it is already on the France map, next to the places you save yourself: add it to a day's plan, give it a time and, if you like, get a reminder when you pass nearby.
What else is around here?
Nearby you have Tête de Trélaporte, Thendia Glacier, Trélaporte Glacier. The rest is in the France guide.
Keep reading
- Courmayeur182 places to see in and around Courmayeur, France: Mont Blanc, Aiguille du Midi, Mont Dolent. Best time: July to September.
- Nature5451 places for nature in France, from Mont Blanc to spots hardly anyone knows. Best time: April to October. Each with its own season by altitude and daylight.
- FranceBefore travelling to France: 6 things worth sorting out, each with its deadline. For Spanish citizens, entry only takes an ID card (DNI).
- Where to travelPick what you fancy (mountains, beaches, museums…) and the months you have free, and Kokai tells you which countries to go to and what to see there.
Data from OpenStreetMap, licensed under the ODbL, and from Wikidata, CC0. More about Mer de Glace on Wikipedia. Daylight hours are calculated from the latitude. More in credits.