Gîte Les Mélèzes
A straightforward gîte in Les Contamines with dormitory beds and half board, a short walk from the shops.
A straightforward gîte in Les Contamines with dormitory beds and half board, a short walk from the shops. A solid, unfussy base for the night before the Bonhomme — the longest climb of the whole Tour.
The place
A straightforward gîte in Les Contamines: dormitories, half board, a drying room, and a short walk to the shops. There is nothing remarkable about it and nothing wrong with it either, which is roughly what you want the night before the Bonhomme.
What matters here is less the building than the timing. From Les Contamines the trail climbs steadily for four hours to the Col du Bonhomme at 2329 m, then keeps going for another 100 m to the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme — the longest sustained ascent on the whole Tour. It is exposed above the treeline for most of it, with no shelter and no water after the Balme refuge. Eat properly, fill everything you can carry, and leave early enough that you are over the col before the afternoon weather has ideas.
Getting there
| Leg | Distance | Elevation | Trail runner | Fit / sportive | Multiday hiker | Relaxed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| From La Ferme à Piron | 0.4 km | +8 / −1 m | 0h04 | 0h05 | 0h06 | 0h07 |
| To Gîte le Pontet | 1.1 km | +22 / −6 m | 0h10 | 0h14 | 0h17 | 0h21 |
Booking
Book on montourdumontblanc.com
This hut sells its beds through the Tour du Mont-Blanc booking portal, so the planner can show you its live availability night by night — and warn you the moment a full night frees up. Every night on the Tour must be booked; there is no walk-in option in season.
Other places to stay nearby
- La Ferme à Piron Hotel · 1164 m
0.4 km back down the Tour, at 1164 m. Bookable on the Tour du Mont-Blanc portal, so the planner shows its availability night by night. - Gîte le Pontet Gîte · 1170 m
1.1 km further along the Tour, at 1170 m. Bookable on the Tour du Mont-Blanc portal, so the planner shows its availability night by night. - Refuge de Nant Borrant Refuge · 1459 m
4.3 km further along the Tour, at 1459 m. Bookable on the Tour du Mont-Blanc portal, so the planner shows its availability night by night. - Auberge du Truc Auberge · 1750 m
5.3 km back down the Tour, at 1750 m. Bookable on the Tour du Mont-Blanc portal, so the planner shows its availability night by night.
For when this stop is full. These book themselves and are not on the Tour du Mont-Blanc portal — contact each directly and confirm before you rely on it.
Stages passing this stop
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