Refuge De La Balme (1706m), Les Contamines - France
The Refuge de la Balme in Les Contamines-Montjoie (74170, Haute-Savoie) is now kept by Michael GUT, who carries on the tradition started by his father and grandfather.
The refuge, at 1706m altitude near the Aiguille de la Pennaz, is on the TMB, GR5, Tour du Beaufortain and Tour du Pays du Mont-Blanc trails. The La Balme bivouac area, 200 m656 ft from the refuge, is not run by the refuge. From 15 June to 15 September you can pitch a tent there between 7pm and 9am, up to 50 tents, and booking is mandatory on the Haute-Savoie nature reserves' bivouac booking site. The rule comes from prefectoral order DDT-2026-0474 of 4 June 2026 (in French), valid until 31 December 2026; the details are in our bivouac regulations guide.
Please note this should not be confused with the Refuge du Col de Balme or the communal Refuge de la Balme in the Beaufortain (73).
Half-board (night, dinner, breakfast and hot shower) is offered in one private room for 2 to 4 people and 5 shared dormitories of 4 to 13 beds.
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