The Salève cable car

A breathtaking view of Geneva and Lake Geneva, at an altitude of 1100 meters! The Salève Cable Car offers a new experience at the top of Salève, revolving around nature, culture and leisure.

The experience begins at the departure station with a staged route and continues to the arrival station, where numerous activities will be offered to you:

• Activities for everyone to discover all the secrets of Salève, its landscapes, flora and fauna, in a fun way that respects this magnificent mountain site classified as a Natura 2000 site.
• A “Salève Secret” exhibition space covering over 100 m2, dedicated to Salève, accessible to all and free of charge!
• Guided tours organized throughout the year on the history and technology/mechanics of this symbol of cross-border heritage.
• A 20 m high and 11 m wide climbing wall for beginners and experienced climbers, adults and children, supervised by an instructor.
• Numerous hiking and trail paths.
• A paragliding launch site.
• A rooftop terrace where you can relax and even sip a cocktail at sunset on summer evenings.
• Café 1100 for a gourmet break with a view.
• The Vertiges restaurant for a gastronomic experience with a unique panorama.

The history of the cable car

This building, built in 1932 by the Genevan architect Maurice Braillard and in collaboration with the French engineers Georges Riondel and André Rebuffel, is an emblem of the Geneva basin.

Originally built to provide quick access to the summit of Salève, the cable car went through a difficult period during the war, followed by the development of roads and cars. It ceased operation in 1975.

Thanks to political will on both sides of the border, the cable car was reborn in 1984.
Since then, ridership has grown steadily every year, rising from 84,000 passengers in 2005 to nearly 300,000 in 2018.

2021 marks a turning point in the history of the cable car, with its temporary closure: Extensive work is being carried out to reveal the original architectural features of the arrival station and harmoniously link the past and the present.

After two years of construction, the cable car will reopen on September 12, 2023, as a place for nature, culture, and leisure experiences, and will feature a gourmet restaurant in 2024.