Refuge du Montenvers

Sleeping up high, after the last train leaves

The Refuge du Montenvers is the hotel built in 1880 beside the Mer de Glace for the first mountaineers and travellers who came up to see the glacier. It is a granite building with many small windows, renovated without losing its character, at 1,913 m, at the arrival station of the Montenvers train. What sets it apart is the hour at which you are left alone: when the last train goes down, the glacier, the Dru and the Grandes Jorasses belong to those sleeping here. You cannot get there by car: only by train, about 20 minutes from Chamonix, or on foot in summer, about three hours uphill.

Rooms

There are 18 rooms and suites and a dormitory. The Refuge room, 15 m² for two, looks onto the Mer de Glace or the Aiguilles Rouges; the Suite Altitude, 30 m², has a bath in the room and a view of the glacier. For families and groups there is the Randonneur Famille, 30 m² for up to five, with a bunk bed in a little cabin-like nook, and the Tribu rooms for 7 and 10, with beds in alcoves. All have their own shower, sheets and towels, and there is wifi in the rooms and common areas.

Eating and sleeping

Only half-board stays are sold, with dinner and breakfast. Dinner is at the Restaurant du Montenvers, serving mountain cooking, from 19:00 to 21:00, and breakfast, from 8:00 to 9:30, includes local cheeses and ham, pastries and fruit. If you have a special diet, say so when booking. Check-in is at 16:00 and check-out at 10:00; you can leave your luggage free of charge during the day.

Getting there and parking

The train is not included: buy the ticket at the Montenvers station in Chamonix. In winter the last ascent is at 16:00, and the first descent at 10:30 (8:30 in summer). If you will arrive after the last train, call the hotel. The car stays below, in the free Biollay or Planards car parks, near the station.