Refuge of Lac Blanc

It breaks my heart to read some of these negative reviews because it is the complete opposite of my own personal experience at Refuge of Lac Blanc. I completed the TMB after an 11 day journey. This was my last refuge before completing the trail and this was by far my favorite one. The location/views are indescribable. I could sit on the deck and look at the scenery for hours. I had pleasant interactions with everyone at the hut and could not picture my TMB experience without this stay. What a perfect last night.

We picked this place for the last stop of our TMB hiking simply because we like to see the sunset or sun rise with the Lac Blanc. We couldn't see the sunset due to thunderstorms. However we did see the sunrise. When the golden Mont Blanc was reflected in the lake, everything was worth it.

I've stopped by for lunch on a busy Sunday summer day and my experience was truly outstanding. The service was really quick and efficient, and the food (soup, quiche, dhal and blueberry cake) was fresh and very delicious.

The Refuge of Lac Blanc hut is located on the top of the mountain, with Lac Blanc in front of the mountain hut. The scenery is naturally magnificent, and the hut is warm and comfortable. We took the TMB and stayed in a mountain house for the night. The room was small, clean and airy. The mountain house provides half board. The food is very delicious and the portions are sufficient. The dinner is better than the mountain houses we have stayed in at TMB. After a hard day’s trek over the mountains, there’s nothing better than enjoying a delicious dinner while gazing at the mountains. The staff were very kind and courteous. Although they were very busy, they still took time to help us. During lunch at the mountain house in the afternoon, we saw ibex in the distance, which was really beautiful. The sunset and rising sun were even more amazing.

I wish I could rate this refuge better, considering it's location, nice rooms and great food (at least for day customers). But the owner is just out for business, demands prices higher than on huts that I have been on, even ones just reachable via glacier routes and is generally rude to guests. Even if you are staying overnight you have to pay to use the toilets before 4pm and are not allowed inside. We also got a route advice from the owner that was completly wrong and put our group to danger. When we mentioned this at the next refuge, they were not surprised and said that this happens at Refuge of Lac Blanc all the time... You should also read the other reviews not letting people inside during hail storms etc. The typical night's rest time at huts was also not respected, although not by guests but by the the owner and staff who decided to get drunk until the early morning and also delayed the breakfast the next morning. The food was also a joke for 85 euros per night, as you just get 2 tablespoons of Dhal without rice and an "assortment of cheese" that consists of exactly one slice of cheese and the breakfast consists of 2 slices of bread. If you ask for more bread you get it, but just the leftover pieces of old bread loaves. The owner in general had an attitude that I never experienced on a mountain hut before and even made jokes about their guests. At least the Nepalese staff and a young French woman were very friendly, but the overall management of this hut is unacceptable and I recommend avoiding this hut at all costs or just take a short break there.

Had about 50 nights in different alpine huts - Austria, Switzerland, Germany and Italy, summer and winter. Refuge du Lac Blanc was a surprisingly bad experience. It was the most beautiful view with best weather, but the most guest-unfriendly concept of all mountain huts where i have been. It seems that the management of the hut tries to prevent any slightly unwanted situation with an additional prohibition sign or rule. Probably they had many problems with the expectations of hikers on one side, and the situation of the hut on the other. Examples: - if you come to the hut, every door is marked as „access prohibited - private“. But you must enter to find someone for the checkin - reservation is prepaid, but checkin is just possible between 4 and 6 pm. - everybody has to leave the dining room for the staff to „prepare the dinner“ - just to wipe the tables (suggestion: if no others are allowed inside during the day, you could just write the seating plan earlier) - You get the bill for the drinks right after dinner. For us there was no more chance to order drinks after 8.15pm - toilets: a few unisex cabins, not a single urinal - Breakfast is three small half slices of bread, served as individual portions per group. I don‘t expect cheese or sausage, but I’d need energy for the day. What you should know, and is no big issue for me: - no showers - no free drinking water - just a small kitchen. Expect no big food selection - 10€ for 0.5 liters of beer - backpacks not allowed inside the rooms, storage space is available - night‘s rest at 9pm, but breakfast at 7:30 Definetly will come back for the view, but not for Refuge du Lac Blanc.

I mean.. I liked it. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Yes, for whatever reason they can't provide free water. Yes their bathroom facilities are not as good as the valley's, yes they only take cash. As long as you know those things and are understanding of the fact that this is a MOUNTAIN hut, you'll enjoy your visit here. In regards to the water, if you hike to La Téléphérique/cable car Flégère (it's about 2mi/3km) they do have drinks, snacks and sandwiches which can be bought via credit card. I believe a little farther on Téléphérique du Brévent also has free water and places to buy food. Also the manager was kind enough to point out good spots to filter water- which most hiking requires you to do. The hut itself is very scenic and cozy, if you're staying overnight the rooms are small, clean and fresh-airy when I was there, the temp despite being June was very comfortable. The views were great and the food didn't disappoint. Nothing like a piece of pie after a long hike while you stare at mountains. The staff are very busy but despite that would take time to help, be polite and overall try to ensure the guests were having a good time. Ibex also showed up in the evening so that was cool!

An excellent experience for those desiring a hiker experience. Good but basic food. Good service. Bring sheets, pillowcases and towels.