Abri de la Chaille

Abri de la Chaille is a free, unattended mountain shelter (cabane non gardée) in the Bornes-Aravis massif of France, used for emergency stopovers rather than staffed overnight accommodation. It sits at about 1,440 m and is a simple, closed-in structure: a dirt floor and just a closing door, with two empty rooms, partially built into the middle of other alpine chalets.

It’s designed for practical sheltering, not comfort: there are no bedding furnishings (no mattresses and no blankets). Plan to carry your sleeping bag and all supplies, and sleep on your own gear on the bare ground if you use it. Use is open year-round on a first-come, first-served basis, with no booking system and no official fee tied to staying inside.