History of Chamonix in Timeline

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Chamonix

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, or Chamonix, is a commune in southeastern France, within the Haute-Savoie department. It's known for being the host of the first Winter Olympics in 1924. A popular destination, it is a well known landmark in the French Alps.

1901: St Gervais-Chamonix Line Opening

In 1901, the metre-gauge St Gervais-Vallorcine Line from Saint Gervais to Chamonix was opened.

1908: Line extended to Vallorcine

In 1908, the St Gervais-Vallorcine Line was extended to Vallorcine.

1909: Montenvers Railway Opening

In 1909, the 5.1-km Montenvers Railway, a cog railway providing access to Montenvers, opened.

1916: Name Change

In 1916, the commune successfully lobbied to change its name from Chamonix to Chamonix-Mont-Blanc.

1920: Older cable car system built

In 1920, the older cable car system was built.

1924: Winter Olympic Games

In 1924, Chamonix hosted the Winter Olympic Games.

1930: Ice Hockey World Championships

In 1930, Chamonix primarily hosted the Ice Hockey World Championships.

1937: FIS Nordic World Ski Championships

In 1937, Chamonix hosted the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships.

1955: Aiguille du Midi Cable Car Construction

In 1955, the construction of a cable car up to the 3,842 m Aiguille du Midi was completed. At the time, it was the highest cable car in the world and remains the highest vertical ascent cable car in the world.

1965: Mont Blanc Tunnel Opening

In 1965, the 11.6-km Mont Blanc Tunnel opened, linking Chamonix to Courmayeur in Italy.

1979: Cable Car Modernization

In 1979, the cable car linking Chamonix to the summit of the Aiguille du Midi was fully modernized.

1984: Biathlon World Championships for women

In 1984, Chamonix hosted the Biathlon World Championships for women.

1988: Biathlon World Championships for women

In 1988, Chamonix hosted the Biathlon World Championships for women.

1991: European Curling Championships

In 1991, Chamonix hosted the European Curling Championships.

1999: European Curling Championships

In 1999, Chamonix hosted the European Curling Championships.

2003: Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc

Since August 2003, the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc has been held annually in Chamonix.

2006: Route Départementale Conversion

In 2006, the RN 506a route linking Chamonix to Switzerland was converted to a Route Départementale 1506.

2008: Cable Car Upgrade

In 2008, the cable car linking Chamonix to the summit of the Aiguille du Midi was upgraded.

2014: Plan Joran chairlift replacement

The Plan Joran chairlift at the base of Les Grands Montets was due to be replaced by a 10-person gondola for the Winter 2014/15 season.