Le Refuge in Chamonix, the first Lagoped boutique

In the heart of the legendary Chamonix valley, Lagoped takes a further step in its development by opening its first boutique, Le Refuge. This iconic place, full of history and alpine values, is much more than just a point of sale. It’s an invitation to live a warm experience and to share a sustainable vision of the outdoor textile industry. 

This is how we chose to name our first store, nestled in the heart of Chamonix Mont-Blanc. More than just a name, Le Refuge embodies our vision and the values that drive Lagoped: commitment, freedom, and sharing.

A refuge is a living and welcoming place, a space that welcomes everyone, no matter the season, no matter the weather. Here, within the walls of the legendary Hôtel de Paris, we have recreated this atmosphere: a place where you feel good, where you take your time.

But a refuge is also a powerful symbol. Mountain refuges are the first witnesses of climate change that is disrupting our peaks and our planet. These places teach us to live differently, invite us to adapt with limited resources, to invent a more sustainable future, to live with greater sobriety. Like the snowbird whose name we proudly bear.

It is the very essence of Lagoped: committing to creating clothing deeply respectful of nature, designed to last, carefully made from recycled materials and exclusively in the European Union.

Le Refuge Lagoped is much more than a store. It’s an invitation to share our commitments, to explore together another way of experiencing the mountains. A friendly place where our creations mingle with the mountaineers of the Lagoped Family as well as stories of mountaineering and adventure.

Welcome home.

Le Refuge Lagoped opens its doors to you at 29 Dr Paccard Street, an address rooted in the history of Chamonix and mountaineering.

Michel-Gabriel Paccard, a famous doctor and botanist, is known for making, with Jacques Balmat, the first ascent of Mont Blanc in 1786. This street pays tribute to their founding achievement that laid the foundations of modern mountaineering.

Our team welcomes you at the Refuge Lagoped from Monday to Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

By car: several parking lots are available in downtown Chamonix (Saint-Michel Parking, Couttet Parking, Outat Parking). 

By public transport: the Chamonix - Aiguille du Midi stations and the Chamonix SNCF station are just a few minutes' walk away.

By bike or on foot: enjoy the many facilities for gentle travel around Chamonix.

The Refuge Lagoped is housed in an iconic building: the former Hôtel de Paris, built in 1894. This hotel was a true crossroads for climbers, artists, and adventurers of the time. Denis Bernadet, its founder, and his wife, Léocadia Couttet, had envisioned a unique place, with architecture offering a breathtaking view of Mont Blanc.

In the 1950s, under the management of Louis Janin, the Hôtel de Paris became a must-visit meeting point. Its rooms welcomed penniless climbers dreaming of summits and feats. Among them were iconic figures like Gary Hemming, the "hippie of the peaks," and other avant-garde climbers. Lagoped's store is now located in the former hotel restaurant, which, like the hotel bar, was the scene of passionate discussions and legendary anecdotes. It was here that climbing teams were formed and bold projects, like the rescue of the Drus, were conceived.

Today, this place rich in memories is reborn with Lagoped. The Refuge preserves this spirit of welcome and friendliness, while looking towards a sustainable and respectful future for the mountain.

With the opening of the Refuge, Lagoped invites everyone to reinvent their relationship with the mountain. This place is a bridge between the glorious past of Chamonix and the challenges of tomorrow. We invite you to discover our collections, share our values, and experience the spirit of the Refuge: a space where nature, adventure, and sustainability meet.

Photo credit: Corentin Leray