WELCOME TO THE KINGDOM OF MARMOTS...
We can accommodate up to 47 people in our dormitories. We offer an evening meal of homemade soup, raclette, fondue Savoyarde, cheese and dessert, and breakfast in the morning.
During the day we serve a selection of meals, drinks and snacks…
Our specialties : blueberry pie, blueberry juice and our selection of beer and french wine.
A little bit of history
🏔 A bit of history… and a lot of soul
The Wills Refuge is named after Alfred Wills (1828–1912), a British magistrate and mountain enthusiast who fell in love with Sixt around 1850. Captivated by the wild beauty of the alpine pastures, he built a leisure chalet in the Fonds alpine area, then tirelessly explored the surrounding peaks and valleys, opening numerous routes and summits with boldness and curiosity.
His descendants continued in his footsteps by building an outbuilding at the Collet d’Anterne, a further testament to the family’s deep attachment to these magnificent landscapes.
The refuge bears his name in tribute, as Alfred Wills was much more than a passionate mountaineer — he was also a benefactor of the village. He contributed generously to the reconstruction of Salvagny after the fire of 1912, which completely destroyed the hamlet. Thanks to him, part of the local history was able to rise again from the ashes.
In the photo above, you can see his descendants visiting the refuge in 2004, including a great-great-grandson… also named Alfred Wills, dressed in red — a touching nod to the passage of time.
“The mountain belongs to no one, but some men belong to the mountain.”
This quote beautifully captures the spirit of Alfred Wills and the legacy he left here in Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval.
Even today, as you step through the refuge door, you can still feel a part of that history, that passion, and that special bond between people and the mountains.
The refuge is open every day from 6 June to 18 September 2026.
🍽️ Information for your evening at the refuge
Dinner is served at 7:00 pm. Please make sure to arrive at the refuge before 5:30 pm.
We recommend arriving in the mid-afternoon to fully enjoy the peaceful alpine pasture, the stunning view of the Fiz mountain range, the deck chairs, and perhaps… take a look at the wine list.
🥣 Breakfast at the refuge
Breakfast is served as a buffet from 7:30 am to 8:15 am.
You will find:
• tea, coffee, or hot chocolate
• bread, crispbread
• butter, jams, chocolate spread
• cereals and muesli
• hot or cold milk
❌ Not available: yogurt, fruit juice
⛰️ Here, you truly disconnect:
• no mobile network
• no possibility to charge electronic devices (remember to bring a power bank — energy is precious in the mountains!)
It’s the perfect opportunity to disconnect from the outside world and enjoy a timeless moment.
🏕️ BIVOUAC INFO at Alfred Wills Refuge
Bivouacking is allowed and free around the refuge, in compliance with the Nature Reserve regulations:
⏰ setup only between 7:00 pm and 7:00 am
(no installation or presence during the day)
❌ no dogs, no fires
🚿 Access to facilities
• Showers and sinks inside the buildings are reserved exclusively for half-board guests
• A public outdoor toilet is available, with a sink
🍽️ Meals, breakfasts, and packed lunches
• Available by reservation only, the day before or the morning of your visit
• Please only book if you are sure you will come 🙏
(many no-shows in the past)
🥣 Cooking & stoves
• No indoor self-catering room
• You may request permission to use the refuge terrace for cooking
(subject to space and weather conditions)
✅ Important reminder
⛰️ Bivouacking does not grant access to the refuge services, which are reserved for half-board guests.
💚 And of course:
Please respect:
• the silence of the mountains
• wildlife and plant life
• the obligation to carry your waste back down
• the spirit of the place
See you soon up there,
Arlette and Guillaume
It is recommended to book in advance.
Located at the foot of Mont Blanc, in Haute-Savoie, in the heart of the beautiful Sixt-Passy Nature Reserve, the refuge awaits you after a pleasant hike of حوالي 2.5 hours from Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval, or via trails coming from Passy or the Fonds alpine pasture.
No illusions here: the refuge is rustic — truly rustic.
A municipal building over 40 years old, solid, simple, authentic — and with no intention of pretending to be a hotel. No carpets, no room service, no minibar… but wooden planks, beams, marmots (sometimes), and a good dose of mountain charm.
You will sleep in dormitories, either in the old dairy building or under the roof frame, with that delightful feeling of stepping back to a time when people knew how to live with less — and when it felt good — lulled by the silence of the mountains… or by the snoring of a stranger, depending on the luck of the draw (earplugs recommended).
Staying here means experiencing something that has become rare:
✨ a night at altitude
✨ far from noise, excess, and…
✨ hold on… without Wi-Fi, no network, and no power outlets to charge your phone
Yes, you read that right.
Here, people talk to each other for real, admire the mountains with their own eyes, and sleep without their phones lighting up.
👉 Remember to bring a power bank — otherwise your phone will also experience a deep digital detox.
But don’t worry, we’ve planned everything you need to survive this break from civilization:
🎲 board games
🎶 a guitar
😂 and sometimes… people who actually know how to play it
In short: at the refuge, Netflix is replaced by laughter, WhatsApp by conviviality, and Google by… someone who might have the answer.
And when the sun begins to set, comes the favorite moment of happy arrivals:
an aperitif in deck chairs, right in front of the stunning Fiz mountain range,
where time stretches out and you feel far, very far from the world.
You will feel privileged to discover a place that has preserved its raw, sincere, and truly alpine character — a refuge that truly lives up to its name.
We wish you a wonderful visit, and perhaps…
a rustic, disconnected, friendly, and unforgettable night. 🏔️🧡
OUR PRICES 2026
Guides and Mountain Leaders (AMM)
Reduced rates are available for certified guides and mountain leaders (AMM). If you are accompanying clients, you can benefit from this discounted rate.
SUMMER CAMPS – SCHOOL TRIPS
Reduced rates for high schools, primary schools, etc. Due to limited capacity, we do not offer accommodation-only stays. Half-board options are available — please contact us for a personalized quote.
Your Text
Accommodation only
20,70 €
Dorm rooms
Wool cover and pillow provided
Bring your own sheet.
Sliping bag prohibited
(tourist tax included)
Half board young ( 6 to 12 years old )
42 €
For kids from 6 to 12 years old.
(+0.70 € tourist tax)
Half board \\\"Trekker\\\" ( since 12 years old )
53 €
Homemade Soup
homemade dish
Cheese and Dessert
Breakfast buffet
and a bed
(+0.70 € tourist tax)
Half board child ( - 6 years old)
32€
half board for kid under 6 years old.
(+0.70 € tourist tax)
Picnic Basket
15 €
Take picnic for the next day .
(Booking required)
Dinner
From
25 €
homemade diner :
Homemade soup, homemade dish, cheese and dessert. (except in special cases)
Shower (hot) : 4 €
Sheet to rent (sheet, pillowcase, cleaning) : 4 € (washable sheet)
NB : NB: Here at the refuge, we do our best to work with short supply chains, using local products and fresh organic vegetables delivered exclusively by helicopter — because in the mountains, even tomatoes take the helicopter! Please let us know in advance about any allergies or food intolerances. This helps us organize things smoothly… and avoid surprises at altitude. The announced menus are prepared as planned, except in exceptional circumstances, as here the mountain sometimes has the final say. Thank you for your understanding and your alpine spirit. Please embrace the refuge mindset: friendliness, simplicity, and respect for the place, the wardens… and the mountains! 🏔️✨
General Conditions of Sale of the Alfred Wills refuge:
General Terms and Conditions of Sale – Alfred Wills Refuge Cancellation policy: In the event of a cancellation less than 2 days before the scheduled arrival date, your deposit will be retained by the establishment. Between 2 and 30 days before arrival, the forfeited deposit may be transferred to a future stay within the same season. For cancellations made more than 31 days before the arrival date, 80% of the deposit will be refunded. Missing persons within a group or family, late arrivals, early departures, or unused services are not eligible for any refund or compensation. Please note: No postponement or refund is possible for cancellations made the day before or on the day of the reservation.
ONLINE BOOKING. CLICK ON YOUR DATE
Click on the date you would like to book.
(RESERVATION PAGE)
(refuges of Moede, Fonts, Wills, Grenairon, Chatelet, Platé)
CONTACT FORM
A question, a thank you or a hello, it’s here : )
Erreur : Formulaire de contact non trouvé !
ACCESS
By plane:
Geneva Airport Switzerland (60 km from Samoëns and 65km from Sixt)
By car:
895km from Calais. Motorway A40 Geneva-Chamonix. Exit Cluses-Scionzier, then Samoëns about 20 mins and Sixt.
By train:
Cluses SNCF station, 20 km from Samoëns
… then take the D907 to Sixt Fer à cheval. Follow the signs the « cascade du Rouget » and further to the « Lignon » carpark (end of the road).
