The consortium “ZÈL La Montagne”, led by the French company MND, alongside SBTPC SOGEA Réunion (a VINCI Construction Outre‑Mer subsidiary), SYSTRA, Atelier Architectes & Ingénierie, STEM INTERNATIONAL and SODIPARC, has been awarded the public contract by the CINOR (Northern Réunion Intercommunal Community) for the construction and operation of the La Montagne urban cable car in Saint‑Denis. This new line will link the Bellepierre low‑zone to the La Montagne plateau in just 4 minutes, transforming the daily life of thousands of residents. A genuine alternative to the car, it will open up the Hauts while reducing nuisances, pollution and travel times.

A world first, ZÈL La Montagne will be the first 100% energy‑neutral urban cable car. It will be integrated into a comprehensive setting: a multimodal interchange hub, park‑and‑ride, bike lockers, pedestrian access and a panoramic lookout. Its commissioning is scheduled for summer 2028.

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An innovative and exemplary project for Réunion

MND knows the territory and this project well: back in 2020, the group had already secured the contract to carry out all studies. With the CINOR having since revised the programme, a new call for tenders was relaunched. By choosing again MND and its partners, the CINOR confirmed its trust and demonstrated a strong ambition: to bring forth a co‑constructed solution, designed with elected officials and local teams, to precisely meet expectations in terms of urban integration, mobility and quality of life for residents.

ZÈL La Montagne will be the world’s first 100% energy‑neutral urban cable car. Its operation will rely on a next‑generation Smart Grid network: an intelligent energy system that combines the recovery of energy produced during downhill journeys with photovoltaic installations covering all stations and ancillary buildings. This system will enable the production of as much energy as is consumed over the year, including for the needs of ancillary infrastructures (buildings, car parks, associated spaces), ensuring zero‑carbon operation.

MND will be the majority shareholder of the operating and maintenance company of the installation, alongside SODIPARC and STEM INTERNATIONAL. This direct involvement guarantees the durability of the installation and MND’s long‑term commitment, as well as strong engagement of local businesses and creation of direct and indirect jobs throughout the project’s lifespan.

“We sincerely thank the CINOR for its trust. With the La Montagne cable car, we are signing a world first: the first Net‑Zero Energy urban cable car. A pioneering model of sustainable mobility, capable of covering 100% of its annual consumption through its own production, and of establishing itself as a global reference in low‑carbon transport.” — Xavier Gallot‑Lavallée, President of MND

A strong identity rooted in the territory

In Réunion Creole, “ZÈL” means “wings”. The name expresses movement, lightness and freedom. It embodies the ambition of the project: to give wings to La Montagne, to open up this hill‑top district above Saint‑Denis and recreate a link between the city and its summits. Like the paille‑en‑queue (Réunion’s totem bird) flying above ocean and reliefs, the cable car embodies this aerial journey that connects inhabitants and reshapes urban mobility.

The two iconic cabins named “Le Belvédère” feature a clean, open design, conceived as a bridge between sky and landscape. Adapted to the tropical climate, they prioritise natural ventilation and offer a warm interior (terracotta seats, light wood, wood‑effect flooring).

The pylons, inspired both by the banyan tree (majestic tree, symbol of rooting and life) and the paille‑en‑queue, are designed as visual landmarks of the territory. Their slender silhouette blends discreetly into the landscape, limiting land take and preserving surrounding biodiversity. This approach aligns with an environmental respect logic, combining technical performance and sustainable landscape integration.

The design of the project was realised in partnership with the Lyon‑based agency Avant‑Première, a benchmark in the urban transport world for over 30 years, and its founder Éric Rhinn, known for working on landmark projects such as the Riyadh metro, the tramways of Brest, Luxembourg and Liège, and the Brest cable car. Their approach combines innovation, territorial identity and user comfort, to create a unique travel experience.

“La Montagne perfectly illustrates MND’s mission: to offer innovative mobility solutions, respectful of the environment and adapted to the specificities of each territory. With this project, we provide a technical, architectural and energy response, at the heart of an exceptional site.” — Nicolas Chapuis, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of MND

With ZÈL La Montagne, Réunion confirms its role as a pioneering territory in sustainable mobility. A project both innovative, useful and poetic, which unites Réunionnais around a shared ambition: to let the city breathe and to bring high and low closer together.

Technical specifications:

• Cable‑car shuttle mode, 2 cabins of 50 passengers, length: 1 315 m, vertical drop: 308 m.
• Speed: 7.5 m/s — Journey time: 4 min 08 s.
• Capacity: 605 persons/hour/direction.
• Energy recovery system and photovoltaic panels.
• 2 unique pylons, positioned at entry/exit to preserve the forest zone.
• Silent haul rope and anti‑vibration technology.
• Wind resistance up to 28 m/s in operation.
• Centralised control station, operation without lookout.