Bergerie du Lauzanier
1.2
Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, France
About
Bergerie du Lauzanier sits at 2,411m in the Parc National du Mercantour, above the Vallée de la Roya in Alpes-de-Haute-Provence. Reach it from the village of Saint-Dalmas-le-Selvage: take the GR52 trail northeast for roughly 4 hours. The path climbs steadily through larch forests and alpine pasture. In winter, snow makes the route inaccessible. Summer access (June to September) requires a good fitness level and standard hiking boots.
This is a working shepherd's refuge, not a mountain hut in the conventional sense. It operates seasonally when herds occupy the pasture. Only 2 beds are available, making it extremely limited. No prepared meals are served—bring all food and cooking equipment. Water comes from a spring nearby. The refuge offers basic shelter: a stone building with a fireplace and minimal comfort. Toilet facilities are outside. The site suits self-sufficient hikers and mountaineers who understand they're staying in a functional pastoral building, not a staffed establishment.
Contact the Parc National du Mercantour or the village mairie in Saint-Dalmas-le-Selvage before attempting to visit. Access depends entirely on whether the shepherd is present and grazing. Do not assume availability. There is no formal booking system. Bring sleeping bags, food, and water treatment tablets. This is a destination for experienced backcountry users comfortable with genuine alpine isolation and minimal infrastructure.
This is a working shepherd's refuge, not a mountain hut in the conventional sense. It operates seasonally when herds occupy the pasture. Only 2 beds are available, making it extremely limited. No prepared meals are served—bring all food and cooking equipment. Water comes from a spring nearby. The refuge offers basic shelter: a stone building with a fireplace and minimal comfort. Toilet facilities are outside. The site suits self-sufficient hikers and mountaineers who understand they're staying in a functional pastoral building, not a staffed establishment.
Contact the Parc National du Mercantour or the village mairie in Saint-Dalmas-le-Selvage before attempting to visit. Access depends entirely on whether the shepherd is present and grazing. Do not assume availability. There is no formal booking system. Bring sleeping bags, food, and water treatment tablets. This is a destination for experienced backcountry users comfortable with genuine alpine isolation and minimal infrastructure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Contact the shepherd directly well ahead—this is a working bergerie with only 2 beds, so availability is extremely limited and informal.
June to September only; snow closes the access route in winter.
Start from Saint-Dalmas-le-Selvage village and follow the GR52 northeast for roughly 4 hours through larch forest and alpine pasture to 2,411m.
As a working shepherd's refuge, expect basic accommodation (2 beds) and minimal services—bring your own food and water, and don't expect meals or showers.
No—the 4-hour ascent demands good fitness and solid boots, and this is a remote working site, not a staffed mountain hut.
Quick Facts
- Managing club
- PNF
- Season
- –
- Total
- 2
- Dormitory
- Emergency
- Private rooms
Facilities
Meals served
Contact & Booking
- Phone
- Website