Cynthia Caughey is author of The Video Diary of an American in France – her adventures as an American woman starting life over at 50 in the French Alps … with videos, photos, regional recipes, travel tips, and a few laughs about adjusting to life in France. She has kindly agreed to share this video of the funicular at Saint Hilaire du Touvet.

For about 11 euros you can have a thrilling ride on the St. Hilaire Funicular a few minutes drive outside of Grenoble. The history of the Funicular is almost as interesting as the ride itself. In the 1920s the Funicular construction was started with the goal of using it to take building materials up to the top of the mountain for the construction of a tuberculosis sanitorium in Saint Hilaire du Touvet. The views from the top, as well as the opportunity to watch the hang gliders jump off the cliffs, are worth the ride, but if you want to get your heart beating faster, this is also a good way to do it. The funicular grade is at 83% which means when you’re descending, it almost feels like you are hanging onto the mountain like a rock climber. The bangs and regular bumps add to the sound effects. It is the steepest funicular grade in France and almost in all of Europe. It is a thrill!