Small refuge nestled on the edge of the Platé desert, a vast plateau
limestone where the rock takes on unusual shapes (the lapiaz).
A pretty path winds through the foothills of the plateau to take you there.
drive and offers you an exceptional view of Mont-Blanc.
limestone where the rock takes on unusual shapes (the lapiaz).
A pretty path winds through the foothills of the plateau to take you there.
drive and offers you an exceptional view of Mont-Blanc.
Romain and his team welcome you to a small, friendly refuge that retains a rustic style and atmosphere typical of the refuges of yesteryear.
His specialities: in the evening, good homemade dishes that are always different. In day : pastries and gourmet dishes, all concocted with care and
pleasure, with organic and local products.
Permanent restaurant. reservations compulsory. Varied menus and homemade desserts.
Book online at http://refugedeplate.ffcam.fr/reservation.html
His specialities: in the evening, good homemade dishes that are always different. In day : pastries and gourmet dishes, all concocted with care and
pleasure, with organic and local products.
Permanent restaurant. reservations compulsory. Varied menus and homemade desserts.
Book online at http://refugedeplate.ffcam.fr/reservation.html
- TipsRefuge on the route of the GR96 and GR5 nearby.
Summits : Tête de Coloney - Aiguilles de Varan
Day hike : Tour du désert de Platé (3h) - Tête de Colonney (2h30 / 660m ascent) Col de la Portette (1h / 322m ascent) Les Grandes Platières (2h / 448m ascent) La Combe de Barmerousse (2h) and access to the Varan refuge (4h / 200m ascent) - Le Vallon de Sales (GR96) and Refuge de Sales (3h / 322m ascent) - Le Vallon d'Anterne (GR5) and Refuge Alfred Wills (6h / 350m ascent)
A two-day loop starting from Plaine-Joux or Sixt, via the Dérochoir, Barmerousse or the Combe de Sales (call the refuge for more information)
Accessibility
Not accessible in a wheelchair
Rates
All rates and discounts on http://refugedeplate.ffcam.fr/tarifs.html
Outside of the babysitting period, a single price of €8 to be paid in the trunk or by check at the CAF of Chedde-Passy.
Outside of the babysitting period, a single price of €8 to be paid in the trunk or by check at the CAF of Chedde-Passy.
Payment methods
Check
CashCapacity
34 Person(s)
Groups (Max capacity)
Groups (Max capacity)
- 35 Maximum number of people
Openings
From 15 June 2026 until 13 September 2026 - Open everyday
The refuge is accessible outside opening periods, but in "unguarded" mode only (no accessible equipment).
Official opening dates to come
Official opening dates to come
Location
Spoken languages
Spoken languages
Environment
Environment
- Mountain location
Access
Access
- From Passy:
By public transport: 6 buses a day leave from the SNCF station in Sallanches and St Gervais and go up to the Plaine Joux resort (in Passy) http://www.sat-montblanc.com/horaire-timetables/ligne-85-sallanches-plateau-d-assy-pleine-joux.aspx
Shortest way, get off the bus or park at Praz Coutant (in Passy, Plateau d'Assy, on the way to Plaine Joux ski resort), a small car park on a hairpin bend, 2km before Plaine Joux resort. 800m of ascent and maybe 2h30 of walking.
Start early, if you can, as the path is south-facing on white limestone, so it can get very hot in the middle of the day, making the climb harder!
To get there by extending the path :
- crossing Barmerousse by the chalets and the Varan refuge, about 1200m of ascent and 6h of hiking (the path is not indicated on some IGN maps, but it is very well marked!)
- crossing the Dérochoir by the Plaine Joux station, about 1100m of ascent and 5h30 of hiking
From Flaine:
With children: by bus to Flaine (https://en.flaine.com/bus) or by car, of course. You can park for free in car park P2, near Flaine Forum. From the resort centre, at the Flaine Forum level, take the cable car up to the Grandes Platières (900m vertical drop), open from 01/07 to 27/08/23. It's only about 1 hour's walk downhill.
From Sixt:
by bus to Sixt http://www.sat-annemasse.com/lignes-regulieres/ligne-94-cluses-samoens-sixt-fer-a-cheval.aspx
or by car, go to the Lignon car park, then start the walk via the chalets and the refuge de Sales and the Col de Portette. It's a 1200m climb and can be a 5h30 hike
From Servoz:
by train: stop at Servoz, on the St Gervais-Chamonix line, from either the St Gervais TGV station or the Chamonix station. Go up towards the Lac Vert and once in Plaine Joux take the path that goes up to the refuge via Charbonnière. Cedric and Létizia, the caretakers of the Chatelet d'Ayères, have explained it well on their website, and once at the Lac Vert we recommend a short diversions to their restaurant before returning to Plaine Joux or, if you arrive late at night, you can sleep there.
