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.
Refuge Albert Premier, Le Tour
A beautiful walk up to a refuge that acts as a summer stop for climbers, hikers and alpinists
There are two ways to approach this beautifully renovated refuge. The steep path that skirts its way alongside the Le Tour Glacier, or via the chairlift to the top of the Le Tour ski area and making a long mellow traverse.
The Albert Premier refuge was built in 1959. It is the starting refuge on the classic Haute Route from Chamonix to Zermatt and can sleep over 130 people comfortably. It has been refurbished in recent years and now has a very modern internal decor with a roaring fire for those cold summer nights.
Situated at 2,702m, it is a hefty 1,300m above the small town of Le Tour and is a serious undertaking and not to be underestimated.
Jump to
What to bring
The route can be found on IGN3036 map. Chamonix and the Mont Blanc Massif
What to see
Sights in Chamonix
See all Sights in Chamonix-
-
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.
-
Les Grands Montets, Chamonix - Argentière
The Plan Joran télécabine takes you up to Grands Montets at an altitude of 1,972 metres.
-
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.
-
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.
-
La Flégère, Chamonix - Le Praz
In summer the cable car at Flégère 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.
Where to lunch
Take a packed lunch and lots of water if you are starting from the car park. This hike ends at the Albert Premier Hut and here they offer everything from cold drinks and snacks to a hot meal and a warm bed.
Restaurants in Chamonix
See all Restaurants in Chamonix-
Fœhn Restaurant
Takeaway spot at the heart of Flégère ski resort - perfect for a quick bite to eat or a coffee.
-
Le Mayen Restaurant
Situated in La Folie Douce Hotel, it's the perfect place for traditional alpine cuisine with a modern twist.
-
Le Comptoir de Plan Praz Restaurant and Café
The Comptoir’s menu features a variety of hot and cold dishes, from sandwiches to delicious soups. All to be enjoyed with a lovely view of the mountains.
-
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, it’s a favourite with both locals and visitors.
-
The Dainty Pizza Restaurant
Great quality ingredients lovingly prepared.
-
Stories & Beer
Stories is a local craft beer bar and taco restaurant in Chamonix. Enjoy a slice of Mexico in France.
What to do
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.
-
Guided Snowshoeing
Off-piste snowshoe outings where you can discover the charm and serenity of the Chamonix Valley on foot.
-
Introductory Tandem Paraglide
Realise man's oldest dream and discover the simple pleasure of a tandem paragliding-flight. The best way to discover Chamonix Valley and Mont-Blanc massif
-
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.
-
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.
-
Teresa Kaufman Outdoor Photography Classes
'The best photo class you will ever take', is Teresa's bold strapline for her unique photo walk classes, which take place in the incredible outdoors of the Chamonix Valley and offer an opportunity to photograph the major mountains and viewpoints.
Directions
From the car park at Le Tour it's three hours to the refuge.
Cross the grassy field heading towards the left bank of the Le Tour glacier and take the steep trail up the obvious couloir. From here the path crosses back and forth through the bushy rock face and eventually comes out on to the moraine bank near a water control building. From here the path follows the moraine ridge until it eventually reaches the refuge. (This path is often loose and requires a good level of fitness. It also involves some exposed sections and is not for the faint of heart.)
From the top of the chair lift at Le Tour it's about 90 minutes.
After departing the chairlift take an immediate right and follow the high traverse path that will lead you around the hill side and almost level with the refuge. This path joins the top half of the other route just below the refuge.
Neither of these routes are suitable for push chairs, however the high trail from the chairlift is perfectly fine for children.
