Notice to lovers of the Écrins National Park, in the Alps.
The Glacier Blanc refuge opens its guarding period from March 16.
Like other mountain hotspots, the latter welcomed a record number of hikers in 2023, and is one of the most popular refuges in France, according to figures from the French Federation of Alpine and Mountain Clubs ( FFCAM), leading shelter manager in France with more than 120 units.
The organization recorded more than 300,000 overnight stays last year, an increase of 7%.
A great success that we owe to a renewed appetite among the French for the mountains, but also to significant events such as the 50th anniversary of the Écrins National Park and the 60th anniversary of the Vanoise National Park.
1. Col de la Vanoise refuge, in Savoie
The Col de la Vanoise refuge saw an increase in attendance in 2023. FFCAM
This is one of the essential stages of the Tour des Glaciers de la Vanoise.
Proof of its success: the famous Col de la Vanoise refuge, built in 1902, was the most visited in 2023 during the guarding period, with more than 14,000 overnight stays, according to the FFCAM.
With 129 beds and 13 dormitories, but also showers and sinks in the summer, the place benefits from a doubly privileged location, since it is also on the route of the GR 55 from Tignes, and towards Modane .
The view is exceptional with, in the line of sight, some prestigious peaks such as the Grande Casse, the Glières and the Aiguille de la Vanoise.
Nightly rate
: €27.5 (full summer rate, for non-FFCAM members), €25 for an evening meal and €10 for breakfast.
Babysitting periods: from December 29 to April 27, shelter open during weekends in May and from June 1 to September 21.
Refuge du Col de la Vanoise, 73710 Pralognan.
Tel: 04.79.08.25.23 / email:
refugecoldelavanoise@ffcam.fr.
Reservation is required by email or telephone.
2. Refuge des Oulettes de Gaube, in the Hautes-Pyrénées
The Oulettes de Gaube refuge offers a spectacular view of the Vignemale massif.
Jan Novak Photography
The Oulettes de Gaube refuge (more than 9,500 nights in 2023) offers one of the most beautiful views of the Vignemale massif, which is notably home to the Ossoue glacier, formerly one of the great glaciers of the Pyrenees.
If in winter, the refuge is reserved for seasoned athletes, it is not the same in summer, where it becomes accessible to all.
It is accessed via the Gaube valley from the Pont d'Espagne, located 7 km from the village of Cauterets.
The refuge is an essential stopover for GR10 hikers, on the way to the great crossing of the Pyrenees.
Nightly rate
: €26.50 (full price, for non-FFCAM members), €21 for an evening meal and €9 for breakfast.
Babysitting period from February 24 to April 28 then from May 17 to October 13.
Refuge des Oulettes de Gaube, 65110 Cauterets.
Tel: 09.88.18.41.46.
Reservations are made either online or by telephone depending on the day.
3. Refuge Albert 1er, in Haute-Savoie
The Albert 1er refuge is a meeting point of several summits.
Alexis BORG / Alexis BORG - stock.adobe.com
It is a meeting point for all mountaineering and hiking enthusiasts.
The Albert 1er refuge (9,419 nights in 2023), located above the Tour glacier, serves numerous peaks, including the Aiguille du Tour and the Tête Blanche.
It is located on the 3 Cols route and on the Haute Route Chamonix - Zermatt route and is also one of the high mountain refuges to be very accessible.
The place has two buildings.
The first refuge, made of wood, was inaugurated by Albert I, the King of Belgium, in 1930. The second, the stone refuge that we know today, was added in 1959. This building has since been renovated to accommodate more visitors.
Nightly rate
: €36 (full price), €39 half-board (includes evening meal and breakfast).
Babysitting period: from March 16 to April 30 and from the beginning of June to the end of September.
Refuge Albert 1er, 74400 Chamonix.
Tel: 04.50.54.06.20
4. Refuge du Goûter, in Haute-Savoie
With its ovoid shape, the Goûter refuge was designed to adapt to extreme conditions.
Raymond Courtial - FFCAM
It's hard not to be fascinated by its unique ovoid-shaped architecture.
But also by the challenge of achieving it.
Le Goûter (9,398 nights, in 2023) is quite simply the highest guarded refuge in France, at 3,815 meters above sea level.
It was also designed to adapt to the extreme conditions of the site (winds can reach 300 km/h) while being able to comfortably accommodate 120 mountaineers, who came to take on Mont Blanc.
It is accessible in 4-5 hours of walking from Nid d'Aigle, in Saint-Gervais-les Bains.
Nightly rate
: €68 full price, including €19 for breakfast and €49.20 for the evening meal.
Babysitting period from May 26 to September 16.
Refuge du Goûter, 74170 Saint-Gervais-les-Bains, Tel: 04.50.54.40.93 / email:
montblanc.resas@ffcam.fr.
Reservation is required.
5. Refuge de Tête Rousse, in Haute-Savoie
This is the “other” refuge of the Mont-Blanc normal route.
Bernard Quarel
It constitutes the “other” refuge of the Mont-Blanc normal route.
Tête Rousse (nearly 8,000 nights in 2023) allows you to start the ascent of Mont-Blanc by spending the night at a lower altitude.
Still, you have to wake up early for anyone who wants to “do” the “Roof of Europe”, the refuge being located lower than the Goûter.
You can also leave from the Eagle's Nest to reach it.
The building is located near the small Tête Rousse glacier and faces the Aiguille de Bionnassay.
The base camp offers collective tents, with camp beds.
Nightly rate
: €58 full price, including €19 for breakfast and €43.20 for the evening meal.
Babysitting period from May 25 to September 29.
Refuge de la Tête Rousse, 74170 Saint-Gervais-les-Bains, Tel: 04.81.91.86.56 / email:
montblanc.resas@ffcam.fr.
Reservation is required.
6. Refuge des Merveilles, in the Alpes-Maritimes
The Refuge des Merveilles operates in a unique setting, the Massif du Mercantour.
DAMIEN - stock.adobe.com
It is a must-see in the Mercantour National Park, known to be one of the wildest parks in France.
The Refuge des Merveilles (7,814 nights in 2023), located on the banks of Lac Long Supérieur, offers some magical landscapes.
It provides access to numerous hiking routes, including the GR52.
For history buffs, it is also possible to visit several rock engraving sites, around Mont Bégo (2,872 meters above sea level) and the Rocher des Merveilles (2,659 m).
The refuge has 79 beds, divided into 4 dormitories.
Nightly rate
: €22 full price, count €23 for dinner and €9 for breakfast.
Babysitting period from mid-June to the end of October.
Refuge des Merveilles, 06430 Tende, Tel: 04.93.04.64.64 / email:
refugedesmerveilles@ffcam.fr
.
Reservations are made online only.
7. Refuge des Cortalets, in the Pyrénées-Orientales
The Cortalets refuge has existed since 1899. Jan Novak Photography
It is one of the first refuges built in the Pyrenees.
Located at an altitude of 2,150 meters, Les Cortalets (more than 7,600 nights in 2023) has existed since 1899. It provides access to the summit of Canigou, also known as the sacred mountain of the Catalans.
This is the last great summit in the eastern Pyrenees.
Here, the sea and the mountains coexist, since it is possible to observe from the refuge the Roussillon plain, which borders the Mediterranean Sea.
For climbing enthusiasts, numerous climbing routes not far away have been set up.
Nightly rate
: €20 full price.
Babysitting period from May 25 to October 10.
Refuge des Cortalets, 66500 Taurinya, Tel: 04.68.96.36.19
8. Refuge de la Croix du Bonhomme, in Savoie
The Croix du Bonhomme refuge offers a magnificent panorama.
Timothe - stock.adobe.com
The Croix du Bonhomme refuge (6,755 nights in 2023) - located at the crossroads of Beaufortain, Val-Montjoie and the valley of glaciers - above all offers a magnificent panorama.
It is accessible from all four sides and allows you to reach the Robert Blanc refuge via a high-altitude path.
The place is intended to be suitable for all audiences, whether seasoned athletes or families looking for a first experience in a refuge.
The number of beds is 99.
Nightly rate
: €26.5 full price, with meal and breakfast at €33.
Babysitting period from June 10 to September 20.
Refuge de la Croix du Bonhomme, 73270 Bourg-Saint-Maurice, Tel: 04.79.07.05.28.
Reservations possible via the site or by telephone.
9. Refuge du Glacier Blanc, in the Hautes-Alpes
The Glacier Blanc refuge is easily accessible to families.
CURTIS TRUCHON
Located in the heart of the Écrins massif, the Glacier Blanc is nestled in a beautiful mineral universe.
To the delight of visitors, who were numerous in 2023 (6,420 overnight stays).
It is - as its name suggests - located on the edge of the eponymous glacier.
You can see the beautiful faces of the north of Pelvoux and the Sans Nom peak.
Easily accessible for families, the place is designed so that hikers can take a real break, whether on its sunny terrace (weather permitting) or in its dormitories (the refuge has 131 beds).
It can be reached in two and a half hours on foot from Madame Carle's meadow, one of the obligatory crossing points in the Pays des Écrins.
Nightly rate
: €24.50 high summer rate, allow €28 for the evening meal and €9 for breakfast.
Babysitting period from March 16 to September 21.
Refuge du Glacier Blanc, 05340 Pelvoux, Tel: 04.92.23.50.24 / 09.82.12.73.91.
Mandatory reservation.
10. Péclet-Polset refuge, in Savoie
The Péclet-Polset refuge is also a stop on the Vanoise glacier tour.
Philippe Manael - stock.adobe.com
The Péclet-Polset refuge (nearly 6,000 nights in 2023) is the starting point for several climbs, including the Polset needle, the Péclet ridges or the Pointe de l'Observatoire.
Located at more than 2400 meters above sea level, it is also a stage on the Vanoise glacier tour.
Hikers can also admire Lac Blanc, a magnificent body of water in the heart of the Vosges massif, just 10 minutes from the refuge.
The place has the “Family Refuges” brand because of its ease of access and the equipment available for children and adolescents.
Nightly rate
: €27 full summer price, count €26.80 for dinner, €11.10 for breakfast.
Babysitting period from mid-March to mid-April and from mid-June to mid-September.
Refuge de Péclet-Polset, 73710 Pralognan-la-Vanoise, Tel: 07.64.18.59.51