When this photo was taken of France’s famous Mer de Glace glacier at the very start of the 20th century, it stretched down the slopes of Mont Blanc all the way to the valley floor in Chamonix. Tourists like those seen here travelled from all over Europe to be transfixed by this 'sea of glass'.

Mer de Glace remains the largest glacier in France but is sadly retreating at an alarming pace. Scientists estimate that the glacier is melting at a rate of around 131 feet (40m) a year.

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Now see what Europe’s most famous attractions looked like before tourism

Amazing early photos reveal how Europe looked 100 years ago