<Tr> <Th_colspan="2"> Climbing </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> First ascent </Th> <Td> 8 August 1786 by Jacques Balmat Michel - Gabriel Paccard </Td> </Tr> <P> Mont Blanc (pronounced (mɔ̃ blɑ̃); Italian: Monte Bianco (ˈmonte ˈbjaŋko)) meaning "White Mountain", is the highest mountain in the Alps and the highest in Europe west of Russia's Caucasus peaks . It rises 4,808 m (15,774 ft) above sea level and is ranked 11th in the world in topographic prominence . The mountain stands in a range called the Graian Alps, between the regions of Aosta Valley, Italy, and Savoie and Haute - Savoie, France . The location of the summit is on the watershed line between the valleys of Ferret and Veny in Italy and the valleys of Montjoie, and Arve in France . The Mont Blanc massif is popular for hiking, skiing, and snowboarding . </P> <P> The three towns and their communes which surround Mont Blanc are Courmayeur in Aosta Valley, Italy; and Saint - Gervais - les - Bains and Chamonix in Haute - Savoie, France . The latter town was the site of the first Winter Olympics . A cable car ascends and crosses the mountain range from Courmayeur to Chamonix, through the Col du Géant . The 11 - km (71⁄4 - mi) Mont Blanc Tunnel, constructed between 1957 and 1965, runs beneath the mountain and is a major trans - Alpine transport route . </P>

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