Refuge de la Fournache

Refuge de la Fournache is a mountain hut (refuge) in the Savoie department of France, set at an altitude of roughly 2,340 metres in the Massif de la Vanoise. It stands on the territory of the commune of Aussois, overlooking the Plan d'Amont and Plan d'Aval dams, and lies on the boundary of the Vanoise National Park. The refuge is a classic alpine accommodation brand: it sells overnight lodging, dormitory beds, and simple restaurant service to hikers, mountaineers, and families rather than consumer goods. The hut has a capacity of 34 beds and is open outside of the guardian's presence (hors gardiennage), meaning it can be used as an unstaffed shelter when no warden is on site. When staffed, it offers à la carte dining at midday — ice creams, crêpes, and drinks — and a single set menu in the evening. It holds the Jeunesse et Sports (J & S) and national education approvals, with 34 places for each, making it suitable for school and youth groups. Languages spoken include English, Italian, and Spanish. There is no disabled access (pas d'accès PMR). Its location makes it a strategic waypoint. It sits on the GR 5 long-distance footpath and is above all a stage on the Tour des Glaciers de la Vanoise. It is also a starting point for high-mountain routes such as the Dent Parrachée and Pointe de Labby, for mid-mountain hikes to the Col de la Masse and Col d'Aussois, and for gentler walks to Lac du Génépi and Lac de l'… (further lakes). Bivouac is permitted only with reservation because of the national park boundary rules. The refuge is promoted and bookable through the refuges-vanoise.com platform, which lists it among the Vanoise refuges with maps, prices, routes, photos, and a reservation system. Its contact address is given as 14 Rue d'en haut, 73500 Aussois, with a mobile reservation phone number and a Gmail contact address. A virtual tour is also published. The refuge is a small, locally rooted hospitality operation rather than a large corporate chain, and it is best understood as a branded alpine lodging service within the Vanoise refuge network.

Refuge de la Fournache is a mountain refuge in the Savoie department of France, in the Massif de la Vanoise. It lies at an altitude of about 2,330–2,340 metres above sea level, on the commune of Aussois, above the Plan d'Amont and Plan d'Aval dams and on the edge of the Vanoise National Park. The refuge is a stage on the GR 5 long-distance trail and, above all, on the Tour des Glaciers de la Vanoise. The available evidence does not record a founding date, founder, or ownership history for the refuge. What is documented is its present operation and role. It has a capacity of 34 beds and is open outside of guardian presence (hors gardiennage), allowing use as an unstaffed shelter. It holds Jeunesse et Sports (J & S) and national education approvals, each with 34 places, and staff speak English, Italian, and Spanish. There is no disabled access. Restaurant service includes à la carte dining at midday — ice creams, crêpes, and drinks — and a single set menu in the evening. Because the refuge sits on the boundary of the Vanoise National Park, bivouac is allowed only with reservation. The refuge is listed and bookable through the refuges-vanoise.com platform, which provides maps, prices, routes, photos, and a reservation system, along with a virtual tour. Its contact address is 14 Rue d'en haut, 73500 Aussois, with a mobile reservation phone number and a Gmail address. Geographically, the refuge dominates the Plan d'Amont and Plan d'Aval dams and enjoys a panoramic view over the valley and surrounding summits. It serves as a base for high-mountain routes such as the Dent Parrachée and Pointe de Labby, mid-mountain hikes to the Col de la Masse and Col d'Aussois, and easier walks to Lac du Génépi and other lakes. In the absence of further documented corporate history, the refuge is best described as a long-standing local alpine hospitality operation within the Vanoise refuge network.

A small, high-altitude alpine refuge positioned as a strategic stop on the Tour des Glaciers de la Vanoise and GR 5, offering simple lodging and dining for hikers, mountaineers, and youth groups.

• Dormitory beds (34 places)

  Overnight accommodation with 34 beds.

• À la carte midday restaurant

  Ice creams, crêpes, and drinks served at midday.

• Set evening menu

  A single set menu in the evening.

• Youth and school group accommodation

  J & S and national education approvals, 34 places each.

1. 1FOURNACHE (2340 m) - Refuges Vanoiserefuges-vanoise.com
2. 2Refuge de la Fournache - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
3. 3Refuge de la Fournache - Wikidatawikidata.org