Questions of refuge users

The refuges

Main questions of the refuge user.

	What is a guarded refuge ? What is a supervised refuge ? What is a refuge-porte ? Is booking necessary and how to do it ? Are the refuge open when not guarded ? What is the price list ? Where is camping possible ?
© PNV / Maurice Mollard

Guarded refuges

The warden will welcome you, inform you and provide you with meals. Almost all the refuges are guarded during the summer months and some of them in the spring as well for mountain skiing and snow-shoeing. Blankets are provided.
Do not hesitate to ask the warden questions because he is an experienced mountain dweller and he will be able to advise you.

Park's supervised refuges

The supervised refuges don’t offer any catering. The supervisor welcome people and clean the refuge. Blankets are provided.
Do not hesitate to ask the warden questions because he is an experienced mountain dweller and he will be able to advise you.

The refuges-portes

4 of the Park's 17 refuges are located along the central zone boundary and are accessible (or not far) from a road. They are the Park's refuges-portes. They provide accommodation for school groups in June and September.

Booking

To spend a night in a guarded refuge, you must make your reservations. In a supervised one, you must contact the Vanoise National Park (parc.national@vanoise.com) who you will dwell with it.

The refuges out of the guarded / supervised period

REFUGES THAT BELONG TO THE VANOISE NATIONAL PARK
all the refuges that belong to the Vanoise National Park are partly open*, except: the refuge du col du Palet (closed during the winter), the refuge-porte de Rosuel and refuge-porte du Bois that are either guarded or closed according to the period.
No reservation is necessary. You will find wood heating, cooking ustensils, blankets. Pay your nights in the box provided for that (your cheque payable to the Vanoise National Park).

* In exceptional circumstances, in case of works for example, refuges can close. Refer to the following page of the website: "The National Park refuges"

REFUGES THAT BELONG TO THE CLUB ALPIN FRANCAIS
Most of the CAF refuges are open out of the guarded period. For further details, visit the website www.clubalpin.com .

PRIVATE REFUGES
Most of the private refuges close out of the guarded period.

Night charge

REFUGES THAT BELONG TO THE VANOISE NATIONAL PARK
Guarded / supervised: 11,80 Euros
Non gardé / non surveillé : 8 Euros
Reduced prices are available to some categories of hikers.

REFUGES THAT BELONG TO THE CLUB ALPIN FRANCAIS
Average night charge: 13,60 Euros - For further details, visit the website www.clubalpin.com .

PRIVATE REFUGES
Please contact the refuge warden.

Camping and bivouacking

In the proximity of certain refuges*, camping may be tolerated: between 1 July and 31 August, for small tents only and between 7 p.m. and 7a.m.
This camping is under the control of the refuge warden; a fee is charged and campers may use the toilet facilities.

* Refuges in the central zone where camping is tolerated: le Fond d'Aussois, la Dent Parrachée, l'Arpont, la Femma, la Leisse, le col du Palet, la Valette, les Lacs Merlet and le Fond des Fours.