Col de Balme refuge (2190m), Massif du Mont-Blanc
Privately run, traditional refuge offering half board accommodation
Based in a cottage that is actually just over the border in Switzerland.
Having been built in 1877, the accommodation is pretty basic.
The refuge is open from mid-June until mid-September.
The restaurant is open for non-guests to purchase drinks, snacks and lunches.
There are outdoor tables on a grassy plateau overlooking the Trient valley, a popular lunch stop for hikers and mountain bikers.
Accommodation is on a half-board basis only, including evening meal, bed and breakfast. Duvet and bedding are provided but they ask yo bring a liner to go under the duvet.
Showers are not included in the price but are available for a small extra charge, although as they are heated by solar power they can't guarantee it will be hot.
Please enquire directly with the refuge for this season's prices and its opening and closing dates.
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Directions
You can access the refuge using the Charamillon gondola from the bottom of the Le Tour resort, followed by the Les Autannes chair lift. Buses run regularly to Le Tour from the centre of Chamonix. Please see bus timetables here.
Things to do nearby
Things To Do in Chamonix
See all Things To Do in Chamonix-
3-Day Mont Blanc Traverse by Tacul & Maudit Summits
Mont Blanc, the highest peak in Europe, is without a doubt the most breathtaking and beautiful mountain in the world, and every year many mountaineers ascend this famous peak.
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Cinema VOX
Chamonix's own Cinema VOX is situated right in the centre of town, slightly tucked back on the Place Balmat (main square in the centre). There are three recently refurbished screens equipped with digital 3D projectors show the latest French and International films, as well as a number of premieres and specialist mountain-sports films.
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Teresa Kaufman Chamonix Photoshoots
The Chamonix-based photographer Teresa Kaufman proposes naturally-lit photoshoots to capture and illustrate quality memories in outstanding surroundings.
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Tandem Paragliding
This company's sole activity is tandem paragliding, so they are 100 % focused on you and your flight. Their fully qualified pilots have vast experience and have done 1,000s of flight in the Chamonix Valley.
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Cross Country Tandem Paraglide
Enjoy a longer flight than the usual tandem paraglide and experience an amazing trip above the mountains to give you an incredible feeling of flying like an eagle.
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Guided Snowshoeing
Off-piste snowshoe outings where you can discover the charm and serenity of the Chamonix Valley onย foot.
Restaurants nearby
Restaurants in Chamonix
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Fลhn Restaurant
Takeaway spot at the heart of Flรฉgรจre ski resort - perfect for a quick bite to eat or a coffee.
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La Petite Cuisine Restaurant
Situated in La Folie Douce Hotel, enjoy a delicious meal after a morning on the slopes with family or friends.
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The Dainty Pizza Restaurant
Great quality ingredients lovingly prepared.
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Pointe Isabelle Bar and Bistro Restaurant
This tastefully refurbished restaurant and bar are right in the heart of Chamonix on the popular Avenue Michel Croz, close to the train station.
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Stories & Beer
Stories is a local craft beer bar and taco restaurant in Chamonix. Enjoy a slice of Mexico in France.
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Bighorn Bistro Restaurant
Bighorn Bistro in Chamonix Sud is known for its homemade American-style comfort food, from stacked burgers to freshly baked desserts. You can pair your meal with a craft beer or one of their creative cocktails. With friendly service and a laid-back atmosphere, itโs a favourite with both locals and visitors.
Sights nearby
Sights in Chamonix
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Le Tour and Vallorcine, Chamonix Valley
Le Tour is a small, quaint little village at the far end of the Chamonix valley in the 'Domaine de la Balme' area with access to some great hiking and mountain bike trails.
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Maison de Barberine museum
Situated in an 18th century house, the Barberine museum is dedicated to showing pastoral life of the Vallorcine people in the valley since the 18th century.
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VerticAlp funiculars and train
At the edge of the Franco-Swiss border lies the 'VerticAlp' experience, which is made up of a steep funicular, a panoramic train and a smaller funicular taking you up to the Emosson Dam. ย
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Aiguille Rouge Nature Reserve
The Aiguilles Rouges Nature Reserve was created in 1974 and is a bio-diverse area of around 16,000 hectares with spectacular views of the Col des Montets. There is an information centre where you can find out about the animals and plants of the area and buy a drink or snack.
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Les Grands Montets, Chamonix - Argentiรจre
The Plan Joran tรฉlรฉcabine takes you up to Grands Montets at an altitude of 1,972 metres.ย
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La Flรฉgรจre, Chamonix - Le Praz
In summer the cable car at Flรฉgรจre and the Index chairlift operate, taking you up to an altitude of 1,894m and then on to 2,396m at the top of the Index.
Lifts/Pistes nearby
Ski Lifts/Areas & Skipass Offices in Chamonix
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Vallorcine Ski Pass Office
This ticket office is situated at the base of the Vallorcine cable car and is just a minutes walk from the train station.
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Vallorcine Foyer de Ski de Fond (Cross-country Skiing)
Vallorcine offers 8km of marked cross-country ski trails, suitable for beginners and intermediates. The circuit loops round from Vallorcine to Le Buet, meaning that you can start from either village, both of which are easily accessible by train.
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Le Tour Ski Pass Office
The Le Tour ski area is at the end of the valley, towards the Swiss border, and is easily accessed by bus or car, with plenty of parking.
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Vormaine Beginner Ski Area & Lifts, Le Tour
Nestled just off to the right of the main gondola at Le Tour is La Vormaine ski area, a beginner's ski area with four lifts.
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Grands Montets Ski Area & Lifts, Argentiรจre
Les Grands Montets cable car (otherwise known as GM) is located an easy walk from Argentiรจre town centre and is also on the main bus line, as well as being very near to Argentiรจre train station.
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Argentiere Foyer de Ski de Fond (cross-country skiing)
The Argentiere ski de fond trails weave through the pine woods and the small hamlets of Les Choselets and Les Grassonets.
Towns nearby
Towns & Villages in Chamonix
See all Towns & Villages in Chamonix-
Vallorcine
Vallorcine is a small, relatively quiet French village at the eastern end of the Chamonix Valley, just a few kilometres from the Swiss border.
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Le Tour
Le Tour is a small, quaint little village at the far end of the Chamonix Valley in the Domaine de la Balme area. Take a stroll around the back streets to see some of the classically Alpine-style houses and the church dome. Look up to see the glaciers reaching down towards you, which are really impressive even in the height of summer.
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Argentiรจre
Argentiรจre is a picturesque village within the Chamonix Valley and is just a short 10-minute car journey from Chamonix town. This charming village has been less affected by wealthy tourists and ex-patriots from various countries who have chosen to make their living in the mountains. It therefore retains a lot of authentic French charm and has a beautiful unspoilt high street with patisseries, boulangeries and wine bars.
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Les Praz
Les Praz is a small picturesque village on the outskirts of Chamonix. The village is surrounded by forests and streams making it an idyllic mountain hideaway and a popular place to live. You will find many chalet-style properties in this area. It is also home to a number of good bars and restaurants.
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Chamonix Mont Blanc
Chamonix is a lively market town known as both a world-class ski resort and mountaineering destination. Consequently, it is bustling with activity, in both the winter and summer seasons. Situated in the Haute-Savoie region of France, Chamonix is bordered by Switzerland and Italy and dominated by the incredible Aiguilles de Chamonix mountain chain which peaks at the top of Mont Blanc (4,810m) - the highest in Western Europe.
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Les Bossons
Les Bossons is a sleepy little village just a five-minute drive from the centre Chamonix on the road to Les Houches. It is fairly spread out and consists mainly of chalet-style properties and is popular with families due to its school.