Chic refuge in Chamonix
Presentation
Practical information
At the foot of Mont Blanc, taste the soul of the peaks.
We leave the Chamonix valley aboard the little red train, a timeless symbol that takes you in just thirty minutes to the mythical Mer de Glace. Nestled at 1913 meters altitude, the Refuge de Montenvers welcomes you in a grand granite building, a true mountain sanctuary where travelers have found warmth and comfort since 1880. At the time, expeditions were true adventures, and mountaineers were daring pioneers, sometimes accompanied by great names in literature, science, and royal courts, climbing the steep paths on muleback or in sedan chairs.
The Refuge de Montenvers owes its fame to the account of two British explorers, William Windham and Richard Pococke, who, in the 18th century, revealed the majesty of the Mer de Glace to the world. In 1776, the first dry stone shelter, the Château de Montenvers, was erected to offer refuge to those embarking on this exploration. Shortly after, in 1798, the Temple of Nature, the first octagonal mountain refuge, welcomed visitors eager for discovery. Adorned with an engraved inscription "To the mountain by a friend of liberty," it attracted renowned figures such as Pasteur, Chateaubriand, Joséphine de Beauharnais, Charles Nodier, Victor Hugo, and Alexandre Dumas, precursors of what would become alpine tourism.
Faced with increasing attendance, a small inn was built by the Chamonix municipality, before being replaced by the large building from 1880 that welcomes you today. This refuge, a witness to the history of mountaineering, has endured through the centuries to offer visitors a well-deserved rest. Today, entirely renovated and reimagined in 2017, it has been transformed into a chic and warm retreat while respecting its mountain soul.
The hotel offers comfortable double rooms on the first and second levels, ideal for romantic getaways, "tribe" rooms accommodating five to seven people, and a chic dormitory located on the third level. This dormitory, perfect for those seeking an immersive experience, features double beds nestled in intimate alcoves, draped with woolen throws for a cozy ambiance. In addition to this modern comfort, the refuge houses a library rich in adventure tales, board games, and a crackling fireplace, completing this unique experience.
When night falls and day visitors descend back into the valley, the refuge takes on a mystical tranquility. You are then alone facing the immensity of the peaks, with a breathtaking view of the Drus, the Grandes Jorasses, and the Aiguilles de Chamonix. At 1913 meters, the magic of the mountain operates, revealing all its power and serenity.
To immerse yourself in this unique atmosphere, dive into the film Les Étoiles de midi by Marcel Ichac, Grand Prix du Cinéma Français in 1959, which magnificently captures the majesty of these landscapes. You can also discover the video by Sébastien Montaz on Vimeo, specially made for the Terminal Neige, for another perspective of this unique place.
We leave the Chamonix valley aboard the little red train, a timeless symbol that takes you in just thirty minutes to the mythical Mer de Glace. Nestled at 1913 meters altitude, the Refuge de Montenvers welcomes you in a grand granite building, a true mountain sanctuary where travelers have found warmth and comfort since 1880. At the time, expeditions were true adventures, and mountaineers were daring pioneers, sometimes accompanied by great names in literature, science, and royal courts, climbing the steep paths on muleback or in sedan chairs.
The Refuge de Montenvers owes its fame to the account of two British explorers, William Windham and Richard Pococke, who, in the 18th century, revealed the majesty of the Mer de Glace to the world. In 1776, the first dry stone shelter, the Château de Montenvers, was erected to offer refuge to those embarking on this exploration. Shortly after, in 1798, the Temple of Nature, the first octagonal mountain refuge, welcomed visitors eager for discovery. Adorned with an engraved inscription "To the mountain by a friend of liberty," it attracted renowned figures such as Pasteur, Chateaubriand, Joséphine de Beauharnais, Charles Nodier, Victor Hugo, and Alexandre Dumas, precursors of what would become alpine tourism.
Faced with increasing attendance, a small inn was built by the Chamonix municipality, before being replaced by the large building from 1880 that welcomes you today. This refuge, a witness to the history of mountaineering, has endured through the centuries to offer visitors a well-deserved rest. Today, entirely renovated and reimagined in 2017, it has been transformed into a chic and warm retreat while respecting its mountain soul.
The hotel offers comfortable double rooms on the first and second levels, ideal for romantic getaways, "tribe" rooms accommodating five to seven people, and a chic dormitory located on the third level. This dormitory, perfect for those seeking an immersive experience, features double beds nestled in intimate alcoves, draped with woolen throws for a cozy ambiance. In addition to this modern comfort, the refuge houses a library rich in adventure tales, board games, and a crackling fireplace, completing this unique experience.
When night falls and day visitors descend back into the valley, the refuge takes on a mystical tranquility. You are then alone facing the immensity of the peaks, with a breathtaking view of the Drus, the Grandes Jorasses, and the Aiguilles de Chamonix. At 1913 meters, the magic of the mountain operates, revealing all its power and serenity.
To immerse yourself in this unique atmosphere, dive into the film Les Étoiles de midi by Marcel Ichac, Grand Prix du Cinéma Français in 1959, which magnificently captures the majesty of these landscapes. You can also discover the video by Sébastien Montaz on Vimeo, specially made for the Terminal Neige, for another perspective of this unique place.
Refuge de Montenvers
Le Montenvers
74400 Chamonix Mont-Blanc
Tel : +33 4 50 53 88 61
From 79 EURLe Montenvers
74400 Chamonix Mont-Blanc
Tel : +33 4 50 53 88 61
Pricing details
Rates 2020 in half-board (breakfast and dinner), from €79 per person in a mixed dormitory (or €190 per night for two in a Refuge double room)..:: To each their own refuge ::..
⊹ The Mixed Dormitory (50m²) valley view, €159 for two (double bed) or €79 per person.
⊹ Refuge Room (15m²) sea of ice and valley view, from €190 for two.
⊹ Hiker's Room (17m²) with sofa bed for a 3rd person, valley view, from €250 for two.
⊹ Altitude Suite (30m²) with sofa bed for a 3rd person, sea of ice view, from €310 for two.
⊹ Family Hiker's Room (30m²) with 1 double bed, 1 sofa bed, and 1 bunk bed to accommodate up to 5 people, valley view, from €430 for two.
⊹ Tribe Room, from €400
Tribe 5 people (21m²) with one double bed, 2 single beds, and 1 single bed on a mezzanine, sea of ice and valley view
Tribe 7 people (35m²) with one double bed, 2 single beds, and 3 single beds on a mezzanine, sea of ice and valley view.
Wi-Fi connection in all rooms.
Attention... access is only via the cogwheel train, rates and schedules available here.
Note: All prices are provided for informational purposes only and must be confirmed directly with the establishment.
