The Refuge d'Agnel is a modern, newly refurbished refuge that is found on the French - Italian border. In the summer months it's easily accessible by car as it's just off the road which goes to the Col Agnel, a famous Tour de France col. In the winter, when the col is closed due to snow, it becomes more isolated, only accessible on snowshoes or skis.
Built from wood, the refuge is self-sufficient. It gets its energy from the solar panels on the roof and water from a spring not far from the refuge.
The refuge is found at an altitude of 2580m and has great views of the famous Mt Viso, which is just over the border in Italy. There are lots of walks around the refuge in the summer. Ski tourers use the refuge as a stop-over or as a base camp in the winter as there are variety of routes to do near by including the Pain de Sucre, and le Grand Queyras. You can also access the refuge on snowshoes which takes about 2.5 hours with 550m of ascent. You can even get there on cross country skis!
The refuge has a large dining area, running (spring) water, toilets inside the building, and even showers (which are a payable extra). There are a range of dormitories sleeping from 6 - 11 people. Sheets and blankets are provided but it's best to bring your own sleeping bag liner as the bedding isn't washed everyday!
You will find Agnès and her team there from mid June to mid September and again from mid January to mid April. They provide an all day restaurant service with a bar.
Facilities and equipment included:
Bar, Open Fire or Wood Burner, Private Garden, Sheets, Sleeping Bags
Facilities and equipment at extra charge:
Food Options
It is possible to self cater and there is a kitchen available for you to use. However, the guardians and their teams rely on food and drink sales to make their living so we like to support them.
You can buy drinks and snacks as well as full meals.
| Hot Lunch in Refuge | 15.00€ |
| Breakfast | 6.00€ |
| Evening Meal | 15.00€ |
| New Years Eve Dinner | 87.00€ |
| Picnic | 12.00€ |
Resources such as water, electricity (solar) and food are hard to come by in a refuge so please respect this and don't waste energy, water or food. Showers are a luxury so please don't empty the water reservoir! It is not possible to charge phones or cameras in the refuge.
All items brought up to the refuge including any rubbish must be taken back out.
The staff run a tight schedule so that they can feed everyone and clean the refuge to a good standard. Their timetables and rules must be respected.
There are baskets in the refuge for you to put your belongings in to keep the refuge tidy. Please do not leave your belongings lying around the refuge. Outdoor shoes are not permitted inside the refuge and slippers are provided. All mountaineering hardware must be left in the locker room.
Dinner is served at 7pm and you must be there at least 30 mins before this time as the staff will be too busy preparing and serving dinner to be able to welcome you.
If you are planning a mountaineering summit, you will be woken up in the early morning between 4 and 5 am and served breakfast. Walkers and other guests' breakfast is served between 7 and 9am. All dormitories must be left as you found them and you must take any rubbish away with you.
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