Top 20 Huts and Cabins around Bessans

Several huts in the region cater to families. The Città di Ciriè Mountain Hut offers hotel service with 25 beds and can be reached by car in summer. The Petit Mont Cenis Refuge, a former alpine chalet, is also family-friendly and serves as a starting point for many hikes. Additionally, the Refuge d'Avérole is considered ideal for families due to its easy summer access, family dormitories, and amenities like baby facilities and a play area. The Refuge de Plan du Lac is also accessible to all, including children, with a relatively short walk from the Bellecombe parking lot.

Facilities vary by hut. For example, the Città di Ciriè Mountain Hut provides bar, restaurant, wine tasting, and hotel service. The Petit Mont Cenis Refuge offers food and overnight stays. The Carro Refuge has 61 beds (reduced to 14 in winter) and catering. The Refuge du Mont Thabor offers hot showers and duvets, while the Refuge de Plan du Lac provides a covered picnic area, shared WCs, and a restaurant, with blankets and pillows provided in summer.

Yes, the Cuchet Refuge is an unguarded refuge with 24 places in dormitories, providing blankets, mattresses, and a wood stove. A fountain nearby offers water in summer. It's important to be self-sufficient when visiting unguarded refuges.

Many huts boast stunning views. The Refuge du Mont Thabor, situated at 2490 meters, offers an exceptional viewpoint over the entire Alpine massif, including the Grandes Jorasses, Matterhorn, and Grande Casse. The Refuge de Vallonbrun dominates the Haute-Maurienne valley with a beautiful panorama of the Albaron, Dent Parrachée, and Aiguilles d'Arves. The Refuge d'Avérole also provides serene surroundings and views of the area's glaciers from its panoramic terrace.

The huts serve as excellent starting points for various outdoor activities. You can find numerous MTB trails, road cycling routes, and running trails in the area. The Refuge du Mont Thabor is a key stage on the GR5, GR57-Tour du Thabor, and the GTA (Grande Traversée des Alpes), making it strategic for multi-day treks. The Refuge de Plan du Lac, located in the Vanoise National Park, is ideal for discovering local fauna and flora.

The best time to visit depends on your activity. Many huts are open during the summer months, typically from mid-June to mid-September, when access is easier and weather conditions are more favorable for hiking. Some, like the Refuge de Plan du Lac, are open year-round, with guarded periods and unguarded rooms available in winter for those seeking winter activities.

Yes, some huts offer easier access. The Città di Ciriè Mountain Hut can be reached by car in the summer months. The Petit Mont Cenis Refuge is also reachable by car in summer. The Refuge d'Avérole is about a 1.5-hour walk from Vincendières, making it a good option for a first night in the mountains. The Refuge de Plan du Lac is accessible with a relatively short walk from the Bellecombe parking lot.

The Refuge de Vallonbrun is notable for its traditional dry stone architecture, which gives it a unique charm. It is located on the route of the GR 5 and is managed sustainably, utilizing rainwater harvesting, solar energy, and waste sorting. It also offers a beautiful panorama of the surrounding peaks and allows bivouacking nearby under certain conditions.

Most guarded huts offer food and drink services. The Città di Ciriè Mountain Hut has a bar and restaurant, and offers wine tasting. The Petit Mont Cenis Refuge allows you to eat there. The Refuge d'Avérole provides food and refreshments, often with local and organic products served on a panoramic terrace. The Refuge du Mont Thabor offers full board, breakfast, dinner, and picnic baskets, while the Refuge de Plan du Lac serves local dishes and can arrange picnic lunches.

Yes, several huts are strategically located for multi-day treks. The Refuge du Mont Thabor is a key stage on the GR5, GR57-Tour du Thabor, and the GTA (Grande Traversée des Alpes). The Refuge de Vallonbrun is also located on the route of the GR 5, making it a suitable stopover for exploring the Vanoise National Park over multiple days.

The region around Bessans offers diverse and stunning natural landscapes. Near the Refuge du Mont Thabor, you'll find wild landscapes that become almost lunar closer to the summit, with exceptional panoramas of the Alpine massif. The Refuge de Plan du Lac is nestled within the Vanoise National Park, providing opportunities to discover rich local fauna and flora. The Carro Refuge is located between two mountain lakes, overlooked by the long border ridge of the Levannas, with panoramas of high mountains and glaciers.