The Refuge du Tourond is a privately owned high mountain refuge situated in the Ecrins National Park at 1712m.
The refuge was originally a shepherd's cabin and the owner, Stéphane and his friends have been renovating it gradually over the years. It is now a very popular and well presented alpine refuge with rustic charm and modern facilities!
There are flush toilets, a shower and small family friendly dormitories sleeping from 4 to 6 people. Bedding is duvets and sheets and it is recommended you bring a sleeping bag liner as these aren't washed after every guest but they are still a lot cleaner than some refuges!
There is a cosy dining room with wood burning stove and outside there is a beautiful sun terrace with views over the mountains.
You can arrive from several directions to the refuge so have the option of a 11/2 hour walk in or going over a mountain pass from Chaillol - 6 - 7 hours. You could even take in Champsaur's highest mountain, The Vieux Chaillol.
There are short walks you can do from the refuge to explore including visiting a dramatic waterfall or a walk up on to the plateau above.
As such, it is a popular refuge with families and has cots and baby equipment available for toddlers and babies.
You will see lots of wildlife, including chamois, marmots, golden eagles and ibex. In spring time, there is a herd of ibex who regularly come down near to the refuge and wildlife lovers come from all over at this time of year to get a close up peak!
Stéphane and his team run the refuge from May to mid September and will surprise you with their culinary skills. They serve a range of local and traditional dishes using fresh produce carried in on foot as well as the dried stock that is helicoptered in at the beginning of the season.
This is a fantastic refuge for a first experience en famille and seasoned refuge guests will appreciate the little luxuries!
Facilities and equipment included:
Baby Cot, Bar, On-Site Restaurant, Open Fire or Wood Burner, Private Garden, Refuge Shower, Sheets, Sleeping Bags, Sun Terrace
Facilities and equipment at extra charge:
There is a restaurant serving food, drinks and snacks all day. It is advisable to book in advance for meals even at lunch time. Evening meals are for overnighters or by reservation and are a set menu.
Food is very good using local produce carried in on foot or grown at the refuge where possible.
| 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.
There is no mobile phone signal in the refuge and the refuge telephone is reserved for private use except in the case of emergencies.
All items brought up to the refuge including any rubbish must be taken back out.
The staff running the refuge run a tight ship to be able to cater for everyone and clean the refuge to a good standard and 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, flip flops or Crocs are provided. Mountaineering hardware such as ice axes, crampons and walking poles, must be left in the locker room or outside and should not be taken into the dormitories.
Dinner is usually served at 7pm and it is considered impolite to arrive at a refuge any later than 1/2 an hour before dinner as the staff will be too busy preparing and serving dinner to be able to welcome you.
Any help offered to do the dishes, clear or wipe tables is greatly appreciated in the refuge.
Breakfast is served between 7 and 9am unless otherwise requested (only for earlier starts).
All dormitories need to be vacated before 9am and must be left in a tidy condition with duvets and sheets folded as you found them.
August 2012
Customer Review
We had a brilliant overnight stay at the Refuge du Tourond.
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