Refuge des Prés

Description

The Refuge des Prés is located opposite the Mont Blanc massif, in the municipality of Les Contamines-Montjoie.
It was built at an altitude of 1,933 meters at the foot of the Tête de la Cicle (2,552 meters), ideally located on the international trails of the Tour du Mont-Blanc (GR TMB) and GR5, the GRP du Tour du Pays du Mont-Blanc, the GRP du Tour du Beaufortain, and the new Tour du Val Montjoie.

This mid-mountain refuge is located in the heart of the Contamines-Montjoie Nature Reserve, one of the largest in Haute-Savoie (5,500 hectares), created in 1979. It is a major nature conservation site in France.

This former alpine chalet, completely rebuilt in 2021, can accommodate 30 people in seven charming little wooden dormitories for four people and one dormitory for two people with bunk beds.
The beds are equipped with duvets and pillows; the bathrooms are shared with hot showers included in the half-board rate.

For hygiene reasons, please bring a sleeping bag liner, which is mandatory.
On the day of your departure, rooms must be vacated by 9:00 a.m. at the latest.
Thank you for your understanding.

We offer lunch with several choices on the menu and delicious desserts for a gourmet break at any time of the day!
All our dishes and pastries are homemade using local and seasonal produce.
Picnic lunches are available to take away upon reservation for guests on half board.

What this accommodation offers

Access

SUMMER ACCESS
- From the Notre-Dame de la Gorge car park in Les Contamines-Montjoie, 2 hours 25 minutes. Elevation gain: 728 m
- Via the Signal gondola lift, 1 hour 30 minutes. Elevation gain: 135 m / elevation loss: 100 m
- From Col du Joly (Savoie) Elevation gain: 250 m / elevation loss: 300 m
+From the GITTAZ car park (Savoie) then Col du Bonhomme. Elevation gain: 700 m / elevation loss: 400 m
+From the Plan de la LAI car park (Savoie) Col de la Sauce then Col du Bonhomme


The refuge is the starting point for many hikes...
Lacs Jovets, Col du Bonhomme, Col de la Cicle, Col de la Fenêtre, Lac de Roselette
Refuge de Tré la Tête via the Cascade de la Combe Noire

...But also a stopover for several circuits
Tour du Val Montjoie:
This 5-day hike takes you along the mountain pasture trails around Val Montjoie.
The route consists of 5 stages, each lasting around 6 to 8 hours of walking.
https://www.lescontamines.com/ete/activites/montagne/randonnees/le-tour-du-val-montjoie

Tour du Mont Blanc
Three countries, 10,000 meters of elevation gain, and around 60 hours of walking, covering 170 km over 7 to 10 days.

Tour du Beaufortain
Starting from Queige, it takes hikers 6 to 8 days to cover the 140 kilometers of the GR® de Pays Tour du Beaufortain.

Grande Traversée des Alpes - GR5
From the shores of Lake Geneva to the beaches of the Mediterranean Sea. 500 km and almost 30,000 meters of elevation gain. (4 weeks of walking)

WINTER ACCESS
https://rando.nature-haute-savoie.fr/trek/1102-Refuge-des-Pres-:-Raquette-et-ski-de-rando-aux-Contamines-Monjoie
SNOWSHOEING
Starting from the Notre-Dame de la Gorge car park in Les Contamines-Montjoie, 2½ to 3 hours, elevation gain: 728 m

SKI TOURING
- Starting from the Notre-Dame de la Gorge car park in Les Contamines-Montjoie, 2½ to 3 hours (elevation gain: 728 m)
- From the Contamines-Montjoie ski lifts via the Col de la Fenêtre or Col de la Cicle passes

Tips: remember to take crampons and/or ice axes, as the Roman road is often icy!

Some ideas from the Refuge:
Day trips: Col de la Fenêtre, Col de la Cicle, Col des Chasseurs, Col des Tuf, Les Monts Jovets, Le Tondu

Ski touring:
To/from the Refuge des Conscrits (Très la Tête glacier and Mont Tondu)
To/from the Refuge de Presset (Beaufortain crossing)

Feel free to contact the Saint Gervais/Les Contamines GUIDE OFFICE to enjoy a guided outing: +33 (0)4 50 47 76 55 https://www.guides-mont-blanc.com/excursions-voyages/

Additional information

For more information and photos, visit our website: http://lerefugedespres.com/
and https://rando.nature-haute-savoie.fr/trek/1102-Refuge-des-Pres


RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED FOR HALF-BOARD on the website: www.montourdumontblanc.com

We recommend arriving before 6 p.m. to facilitate check-in with the caretakers.

If you have any special dietary requirements (vegetarian, allergies, etc.), please let us know when you make your reservation.
We do not allow dogs to stay overnight at the refuge. Thank you for your understanding.

View the guesthouse photos.