Albert Premier refuge (2702m), Massif du Mont-Blanc
Located beside the Le Tour glacier and open in both winter and summer
Situated just beneath the Glacier du Tour the Albert 1er provides superb access for both skiers and hikers to the glacier or the neighbouring summits of Aiguille du Tour, Grande Fourche, Chardonnet, Aiguille d'Argentière, La Verte, Le Drus and the Aiguilles Rouges.
The refuge is run by the Club Alpin France (CAF) which offer various mountain activities throughout both seasons.
Albert 1er has 140 beds in summer and is staffed from March to September (with a few week spring break).
Accommodation can be booked on a half-board or breakfast only basis and the restaurant is also open to day visitors. The easy accessibility of the hut makes it one of the more popular ones, so be sure to book in advance of your arrival.
The hut is not staffed outside of the summer months but offers 30 beds on a self-service basis.
Please enquire directly with the refuge for this season's prices and its opening and closing dates.
Directions
To access the refuge, once at the Le Tour resort you will need to take the Charamillon gondola and the Col de Balme chairlift. You can then follow one of the summer trails to the Albert 1er. This route will take approximately 1h30 in the summer.
You can also walk up from the bottom - it will simply take longer.
Buses run regularly to Le Tour from Chamonix centre. Please click here for timetables.
