Four high-altitude mountain refuges serve food, drinks and overnight stays amid the Alpine scenery of Les 3 Vallées

A moment at the summit

The valley's refuges make ideal stopping points for exploring scenic hiking paths in summer and snow-capped peaks in winter. They combine a welcoming atmosphere with a mountain setting, offering views over the surrounding summits from their terrace or communal room.

Refuge de Gittamelon

The refuge de Gittamelon stands in the Encombres valley, home to ibex, in a Belleville-style chalet. Its team serves Savoyard cuisine and drinks there, with views towards the Moendaz peaks. The refuge has dormitories fitted with bunks for overnight guests.

Refuge du Lac du Lou

The refuge du Lac du Lou sits at 2,035 metres, above the Belleville valley. It is reachable on foot from Les Menuires and looks out over a mountain lake. The refuge offers dining built around organic, local produce, with Savoyard specialities served facing the lake. It also offers dormitory accommodation, for a night in the mountains away from light pollution, with the lake in view on waking. The refuge also serves as a starting point or stopover for hiking routes around the lake or towards other refuges.

Refuge de Plan Lombardie

The refuge Plan Lombardie lies in a small valley at the foot of the Cheval Noir, reached by a 40-minute walk described as easy even with young children. Around the refuge is a mountain pasture where cows and sheep graze, along with wildlife including marmots, chamois, red deer and roe deer. The refuge welcomes visitors for an overnight stay, a meal stop or an event such as a birthday or family meal.

The refuge is staffed from May to October, a period that can be extended depending on demand and weather conditions; booking is recommended, as the warden may be away briefly to restock supplies. Outside this staffed period, part of the refuge remains accessible by reserving the keys from the warden: a six-bed room fitted with fitted sheets, pillows and blankets, along with a kitchen and dining area equipped with a gas cooker, crockery, utensils and a wood-burning stove. In winter, water and electricity are cut off; torches are provided, and water can be drawn from an outdoor water tank 20 metres from the refuge.

Refuge du Trait d'Union

Le Trait d'Union is a refuge at 1,725 metres in the Les 3 Vallées ski area. It is reached in winter via the pistes and in summer via hiking paths. The website presents it as a place combining nature and Savoyard authenticity, with time spent on the terrace and evenings by the fire.

The refuge serves lunches in its mountain pasture chalet, with cuisine described as made from local produce and an experience built around the surrounding panorama. It also hosts evenings that begin with a snowshoeing walk from Saint-Martin-de-Belleville to the refuge. These evenings include an aperitif served under shelter, a candlelit atmosphere, a home-made dinner and, depending on the occasion, accordion music and Savoyard songs.

After the meal, the evening continues around a wood fire with a génépi tasting, followed by a night in a room and breakfast the next morning. The website highlights the option of skiing straight from the door on waking or making the most of fresh snow.

Key points

1. The refuge du Lac du Lou, reachable on foot from Les Menuires, sits at 2,035 metres beside a lake.
2. Le Trait d'Union stands at 1,725 metres in the Les 3 Vallées ski area.
3. The refuge Plan Lombardie, at the foot of the Cheval Noir, is reached by a 40-minute walk and suits families with young children.
4. The refuge Plan Lombardie is staffed from May to October; outside this period, a six-bed room remains accessible by reserving the keys from the warden.
5. All four refuges — Gittamelon, Lac du Lou, Plan Lombardie and Trait d'Union — offer meals or drinks and the option of an overnight stay in the mountains.