Photo Refuge des Prés
Photo Refuge des Prés
Photo Refuge des Prés
Photo Refuge des Prés
Photo Refuge des Prés

Refuge des Prés

LES CONTAMINES

  • 30 guests
  • 1935m
The Refuge des Prés is located across from the Mont Blanc massif, in the town of Les Contamines-Montjoie.
It was built at an elevation of 1,933 meters at the foot of the Tête de la Cicle (2,552 meters), ideally situated along the international trails of the Tour du Mont-Blanc (GR TMB) and the GR5, the GRP of the Tour du Pays du Mont-Blanc, the GRP of the 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), established in 1979. It is a major center for nature conservation in France.

This former alpine chalet, completely rebuilt in 2021, accommodates 30 guests in small wooden dormitories with bunk beds.
The beds are equipped with comforters and pillows; the shared bathrooms include hot showers, which are included in the half-board rate.

For hygiene reasons, please bring a sleeping bag liner—it 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 from 11:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., featuring several choices on the chalkboard menu and delicious desserts for a tasty treat any time of day!
All our dishes and pastries are homemade using local and seasonal ingredients.
Take-out picnics are available by reservation for guests on a half-board plan.

Availability calendar

Clic on the calendar to book

Arrival by 18:00 · Departure before 09:00 · Meals at 19:00

Available Fully booked Close
Pauline NARD

Continue your itinerary

Tour of Mont Blanc in an anti-clockwise direction
Les Chambres du Soleil
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Auberge-Refuge de la Nova
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Refuge des Mottets
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Cabane du Combal
  • 09 h 29 mn
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Rifugio Maison Vieille
  • 11 h 54 mn
  • 36.8 km
  • 2240m D+ / 2217m D-
Gite le Randonneur du Mont Blanc
  • 12 h 01 mn
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  • 2237m D+ / 2280m D-
Rifugio Monte Bianco - Cai Uget
  • 12 h 19 mn
  • 38.3 km
  • 2217m D+ / 2468m D-
Clockwise tour of Mont Blanc
Gîte le Pontet
  • 01 h 45 mn
  • 6.1 km
  • 45m D+ / 803m D-
Gîte Les Mélèzes
  • 02 h 04 mn
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  • 36m D+ / 812m D-
La Ferme à Piron
  • 02 h 09 mn
  • 7.6 km
  • 36m D+ / 816m D-
Auberge du Truc
  • 03 h 40 mn
  • 11.7 km
  • 608m D+ / 825m D-
Refuge du Fioux
  • 05 h 10 mn
  • 18.1 km
  • 753m D+ / 1172m D-
Gîte Michel Fagot
  • 07 h 08 mn
  • 24.7 km
  • 992m D+ / 1917m D-
Chalet Les Méandres (ex Tupilak)
  • 07 h 51 mn
  • 27.3 km
  • 1168m D+ / 1986m D-

Location and nearby services

Tour du Mont-Blanc stage: LES CONTAMINES Direct access to the TMB and GR5 trails Right next to shops and transport

View the full map

Facilities and services

  • Terrace
  • Half Board
  • Free drinking water
  • Breakfast
  • Picnic
  • By reservation
  • Evening meal
  • By reservation
  • Free hot showers
  • Electricity (220v)

Practical information

Adult: €74
Professional: €48
(Tourist tax included)
Child (under 12 years): €51
Teenager (12-17 years old): €60

Bank card, Bank cheque, Species

English, Spanish, French

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/

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.

Other nearby shelters

View the map See all shelters and lodges
Auberge du Truc

Auberge du Truc

Les Contamines-Montjoie
La Ferme à Piron

La Ferme à Piron

Les Contamines-Montjoie
Gîte Les Mélèzes

Gîte Les Mélèzes

Les Contamines-Montjoie
Gîte le Pontet

Gîte le Pontet

Les Contamines-Montjoie
Refuge de Nant Borrant

Refuge de Nant Borrant

Les Contamines-Montjoie
Refuge de la Balme

Refuge de la Balme

Les Contamines-Montjoie
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