At a glance
The Mont Blanc tunnel is expected to remain closed to traffic until 18 December 2023. Why? What are the alternative routes?
Are you planning a skiing trip soon and the Mont Blanc tunnel is on your route?
Or do you regularly drive through this tunnel for work, or as a truck driver with a load?
If so, you'll need to find another route for a while, as the famous tunnel is closed for nine weeks for works.
Our blogger Alain Dierckx explains more
What is the Mont Blanc tunnel?
The Mont Blanc tunnel is a road tunnel opened in 1965 that links France (Chamonix) to Italy (Courmayeur). The tunnel is 11.6 kilometres long, 8.6 metres wide, and has two lanes for motorbikes, cars and trucks. There is a toll per route in both directions, which varies depending on whether you set off from Italy or France. A return ticket currently costs a little over 65 euros. In 2021, nearly 1.4 million trucks used the tunnel, carrying more than 12 million tonnes of goods.
Why is the Mont Blanc tunnel currently closed?
The Mont Blanc tunnel is temporarily closed for technical maintenance works. The road surface elements in the central section of the tunnel will be replaced, along with 76 fans installed in the ceiling. The asbestos present will also be replaced with durable insulation.
The works were originally scheduled for early September 2023, but due to a landslide that led to the closure of the main alternative route (via the Fréjus tunnel), the works were postponed.
How long will the Mont Blanc tunnel be closed for works?
The tunnel closed on 16 October 2023 at 8am and is expected to reopen on 18 December 2023 at 10am. During this period, only part of the overall works can be carried out (around 600 metres), as a lot of renovation work needs to be done. For financial reasons, everything will be spread out over several years. Further works may therefore also take place in 2024, again leading to a temporary closure of the tunnel. The final schedule covering all the years is still being drawn up and will be announced at a later date.
What are the alternative routes to avoid the Mont Blanc tunnel?
There are several alternative routes. The main ones are shown on the map below. Most motorists should use the Fréjus tunnel. But the Great St Bernard tunnel is also a good option. This tunnel is shorter than the Mont Blanc tunnel (only 5.8 kilometres) and its toll cost is lower than that of the Mont Blanc tunnel. The downside is that you need a road toll sticker for Switzerland. However, watch out for (long) queues on busy days.
Transit subscription cards
What happens if my ten- or twenty-transit subscription card expires during the Mont Blanc tunnel closure?
The expiry date of all ten- or twenty-transit subscriptions still valid on 16 October 2023 will be extended by three months. There's no need to apply for this, as the extension is automatic. If not all the transits are used by the extended expiry date, they will be kept and can be used when applying for a new subscription card.
Want more information? You'll find it on the Mont Blanc tunnel website.
