The ever in demand refuge above Le Tour, refuge Albert 1er, is to have receive substantial renovations starting this September.
The refuge popular with both mountaineers and hikers will see a number of improvements made to the interior, exterior and the services of the refuge.
The plans represent a new drive from the French Federation of Alpine Clubs and Mountain (FFCAM) to attract more people to Chamonix and the mountains. However as Georges Elzière, Président of the FFCAM, explains the idea is not to make the refuge luxurious but simply to provide a modern utilitarian refuge that should meet basic comforts.
In total the budget for the renovation work to the Albert Premiere refuge will be 2.5 million Euro's, with an investment from Chamonix town council of 250,000€.
The renovation project will re-enforce the existing building structure, improve roofing insulation, enlarge the solar panel installation and include a new water capture and filtration system. All this with materials that have been tested for their durability and resistance at altitude.
The work at the Albert 1er will be spread over stages and is due to be completed in 2014.
