Mountains: 5 refuges to try out with the whole family!

Grande Léchère lake refuge – Saint François Longchamp

The location The resort of Saint François Longchamp and the Grande Léchère lake refuge are located in Savoie in the Maurienne valley, below the famous Col de la Madeleine. This comfortable refuge offers 34 beds in dormitories for 4 to 8 people. For those who want a little more privacy, a cosy niche is available for 2 to 4 people, with a private bathroom! On site, you can dine on excellent local produce.

The surrounding area From the refuge, the Grande Léchère lake is easily accessible for lovers of short walks, with a beautiful view of the Aiguilles d’Arves in the distance. There are many other walks for all levels to discover. For the curious, there are also orienteering trails to try out in the surrounding area.

How to get there There are two ways to get to the refuge: leave from the Saint François Longchamp station (le Replat) for a hike of around 2 hours, or come directly to the refuge car park, which is just 5 minutes away and gives the youngest visitors direct access to this enchanting setting.

New Les Prés refuge in Les Contamines-Monjoie

The location This brand new refuge, which opens its doors for the summer season, was built on the ruins of an old mountain chalet. Respect for nature and the environment is at the heart of this refuge project, with the installation of photovoltaic panels and carefully chosen materials. 30 beds are available for a comfortable night’s sleep for all the family. In the evening, you can enjoy a delicious meal prepared by the wardens in the restaurant. A guaranteed high-mountain experience for all the family.

The surrounding area At the heart of the Contamines nature reserve, this is the perfect place to observe all kinds of animals and extraordinary flora. Facing the Mont Blanc range, children will love sharing this mountain pasture with cows.

Access From Les Contamines, it takes around 2hrs 25mins (728m ascent). It is also possible to reach the refuge via the Signal cable car, which takes around 1 hour 30 minutes.

Refuge du Roc de la Pêche in Pralognan

The place In the heart of the Vanoise, at the foot of the glaciers, you can spend a cosy night with your family at an altitude of 1911m. This refuge was built on the ruins of a former mountain pasture chalet run by monks. It offers 60 beds in 12 bedrooms, but you can also rent an adjoining gîte for greater independence. Each room has a washbasin and shower for added comfort. In the evening, there’s a single menu for everyone from 7pm.

The surrounding area The ideal starting point for many hikes, the refuge is perfect for tribes. As well as discovering plenty of wild animals in the area, children will never tire of the surrounding landscapes and flora. There are also plenty of activities to discover: climbing, hiking, fishing, via ferrata….

Access From the Pont de la Pêche car park, it’s about a 40-minute walk (150m ascent) to the refuge.

Tourond refuge at Orcières Merlette

The place Formerly a mountain pasture chalet, the Tourond refuge has all the charms of an old stone hut, nestling in the foothills of the mountain. With a capacity of 26 beds, it’s a delightful setting for a family overnight stay. In the evening, it’s easy to indulge in one of the refuge’s specialities: potato pie, tartiflette or blueberry tart. Children can watch ibexes and other emblematic animal species from the refuge’s surroundings.

The surrounding area Several incredible viewpoints are accessible from the refuge. For families, the Pisse waterfall can be reached in 20 minutes, with possible encounters with marmots along the way. In summer, the Copernic association offers “Skywatching” evenings to learn how to decipher the mysteries of the starry sky.

Access From the hamlet of Fermonds, it’s a 1-hour walk to the refuge (342m ascent).

Refuge de l’Oule at Saint-Lary-Soulan

The place At the gateway to the Néouvielle nature reserve, the Oule refuge offers a breathtaking panorama of the surrounding mountains. At an altitude of 1820 m, caretaker Lionel offers 34 beds in this half-stone, half-wood refuge, divided into dormitories or rooms for 2 to 4 people, including a PRM room on the ground floor. The refuge also has showers for the comfort of families and a terrace with an XXL view of the mountains. Last but not least, the regional specialities (garbure, porc noir de Bigorre…) are sure to satisfy both small and large appetites.

The surrounding area Perfect for families, the refuge is located right next to the lake of the same name. A great argument for taking the kids hiking in this little corner of paradise. A multitude of hikes are accessible from the refuge de l’Oule, including access to the Néouvielle nature reserve and its lakes.

Access From the Artigusse car park, the refuge is about 45 minutes’ walk along a forest track, ideal for children.