Albert 1er hut: the Alpine Club hut above the Tour glacier
At 2,707 metres, on the right bank of the Tour glacier, an FFCAM hut staffed in spring and summer. The goal of a big hike from Le Tour.
Photo: the venue's Google Maps listing
Why go?
The Albert 1er hut belongs to the French Federation of Alpine and Mountain Clubs (FFCAM). It is at 2,707 metres, on the right bank of the Tour glacier, in the north of the valley.
For a hiker, it is one of the finest day goals in the valley, with the view of the glacier.
Good to know
In 2026, the hut was staffed from 14 March to 3 May, then from 23 May to 13 September. Outside staffed periods, part of it stays open as an unstaffed winter room.
Our advice
Start from Le Tour, using the Balme lifts when they are running to shorten the approach. As soon as the first snow falls, carry a transceiver, shovel and probe, and know how to use them.
Read on: Hiking in Chamonix and The Tour du Mont Blanc from Chamonix.
Sources: the property's website, Chamonix Tourist Office, Google Maps (address, rating, reviews and photo, checked on 27 October 2026), gallery: photos posted by visitors in their Google reviews (Kojope Local Guide, Charles Morat Vallorcine, Sandrine LEBLOND, Aurore Lorrain, Scouts de Nodebais, Djibril GLM), Compagnie du Mont-Blanc and the official pages quoted in the guide. Walking times are estimates.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Albert 1er hut staffed?
Where do you start for the Albert 1er hut?
Thibault Ravanel
Thibault led groups along the south balcony trails for eight summers, from Le Brévent to La Flégère. He builds his routes stopwatch in hand and cuts whatever does not fit into a real day. He would rather write that an outing is not worth the ticket than pad out a list.
