Refuge de la Dent d'Oche

The Refuge de la Dent d'Oche is a mountain refuge in the French Alps, located at an altitude of 2,114 metres in the Chablais massif above Bernex in Haute-Savoie. It sits on a rocky promontory on a ridge about 100 metres below the Dent d'Oche summit, commanding a wide panorama that extends over the Jura, the whole of Lake Geneva and the entire Alpine chain. The refuge is operated by the Fédération Française des Clubs Alpins et de Montagne (FFCAM), the French federation of alpine and mountain clubs, and is part of its national network of staffed and unstaffed mountain huts. The refuge's origins date to 1907, when members of the Club alpin d'Evian identified the site as ideal for a hut. A civil company, the Société Civile de la Dent d'Oche, was formed by notables associated with the Evian water company, and construction began in 1914. Materials were carried by mule to below the chimney and then by human porters up the scree slope known as the 'couloir des muletiers'. The original building had a 12-place dormitory on the ground floor and a 15-place dormitory in the attic. It was enlarged in 1938, with materials transported from the Chalets d'Oche by a 500-metre cable; the work was carried out by 40 volunteer CAF members with help from a section of the 27th BCA (Bataillon de Chasseurs Alpins) from Annecy. Major renovation work in 2017/2018 renewed all floors, dormitories, bedding, the dining room and insulation, and added a kitchen, giving the refuge its current 'cosy' character thanks to volunteers of the CAF Léman. Today the refuge offers 45 beds in three dormitories and is staffed from early June to the end of September. It is run by the guardian Thierry Perisse and his team, who serve local dishes and drinks. The final 100 metres of the approach path steepen into a chimney equipped with chains, making the refuge a destination for hikers, climbers and lovers of mountain landscapes and cuisine. The refuge is a member of the FFCAM network and can be booked online through the federation's reservation system.

The Refuge de la Dent d'Oche was conceived in 1907, when members of the Club alpin d'Evian chose the site for a mountain hut. A civil company, the Société Civile de la Dent d'Oche, was created by notables from the Evian water company. Construction began in 1914. Building materials were transported by mule to below the chimney and then carried on human backs up the scree slope known as the 'couloir des muletiers'. The original refuge comprised a ground-floor dormitory of 12 places and a second dormitory of 15 places in the attic. An enlargement was carried out in 1938. At that time, materials were transported between the Chalets d'Oche and the refuge by a 500-metre cable. The work was undertaken by 40 volunteer members of the CAF (Club Alpin Français), assisted by a section of the 27th Bataillon de Chasseurs Alpins (27th BCA) from Annecy. In 2017/2018, major renovation works were carried out. All floors, dormitories, bedding, the dining room and insulation were redone, and a kitchen was installed. The work was driven by a team of volunteers from the CAF Léman, giving the refuge its present 'cosy' appearance. The refuge is now part of the FFCAM (Fédération Française des Clubs Alpins et de Montagne) network. It is staffed from early June to the end of September and offers 45 beds in three dormitories. The guardian is Thierry Perisse. The refuge serves local dishes and drinks and is a base for hikers, climbers and those seeking panoramic views over Lake Geneva, the Jura and the Alps.

• 2018

  Renovation works are completed by volunteers of CAF Léman, giving the refuge its current cosy character.

• 2017

  Major renovation works begin, renewing floors, dormitories, bedding, dining room and insulation, and adding a kitchen.

• 1938

  The refuge is enlarged; materials are transported by a 500-metre cable, with work by 40 volunteer CAF members and the 27th BCA.

• 1914

  Construction of the refuge begins; materials are carried by mule and human porters.

• 1907

  Members of the Club alpin d'Evian choose the site for a refuge; Société Civile de la Dent d'Oche is created.

A historic, atypical FFCAM mountain refuge at 2,114 m offering a unique panoramic setting and a convivial mountain experience for hikers, climbers and nature lovers.

• Dormitory accommodation (45 beds, 3 dormitories)

• Local meals and drinks

• Guardianship and mountain hospitality (June–September)

1. 1Accueil, Refuge de la Dent d'Ocherefugeladentdoche.ffcam.fr
2. 2L'histoire du refuge, Refuge de la Dent d'Ocherefugeladentdoche.ffcam.fr
3. 3Refuge de la Dent d'Oche - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
4. 4Refuge de la Dent d'Oche - Wikidatawikidata.org