Chalet des Pyramides

Chalet des Pyramides was a mountain refreshment hut in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, perched at 1,895 m above the Bossons Glacier. For over a century it served as a resting point on the historic routes toward Mont Blanc, and while the building itself is gone, the hike up to its former site remains one of the valley's most rewarding short excursions.

What is the story behind this place?

The chalet was built in 1904 and quickly became a stopping point for climbers heading toward Mont Blanc in the early days of alpinism. For decades it operated as a simple buvette, serving basic fare such as omelets, with bread carried up on foot almost daily throughout the summer since no vehicle could reach the site. In 2021 its terrace was renovated and enlarged to accommodate more hikers taking in the view.

In spring 2025, the municipality of Chamonix-Mont-Blanc decided to demolish the structure. The retreat of the Bossons Glacier had exposed increasingly unstable rock beneath the ice, and repeated rockfalls threatened the building's foundations. Demolition was completed by early June 2025. Since then, there is no shelter, food, water, or toilet facilities anywhere along the route, so hikers need to come fully self-sufficient.

How do you get there?

Two main hiking routes lead to the former chalet site. The first starts in Les Bossons and climbs about 700 m in elevation, typically taking around 2 hours 10 minutes. The second and shorter option begins at the top station of the Bossons Glacier chairlift, covering roughly 500 m of elevation gain in about 1.5 hours. Both routes cross high-mountain terrain, so good weather and proper trekking footwear are essential before setting out.

What will you actually see, now that the building is gone?

Even without the chalet, the destination itself remains dramatic. The Plateau des Pyramides is a broad, flat section of the Bossons Glacier, sitting just above the point where the slope breaks away — a spot the glacier's tongue once reached as low as around 1,400 m elevation. From the viewpoint, hikers look out over the glacier's dramatic drop, its seracs, and the distinctive ice formations known as "pyramids," which gave the site its name. These formations are now the main draw of the hike: strikingly beautiful, but also visible evidence of how fast the glacier has changed over the past decade.

When is the best time to visit?

Summer is the ideal season, when the trail is free of snow and at its safest. That said, conditions around the glacier shift from year to year — melting ice and rockfalls can affect both the route and its safety — so it's worth checking current trail conditions with a local guide office or mountain rescue service in Chamonix before heading out.

Frequently asked questions

Is Chalet des Pyramides still open as a snack bar? No. The building was demolished in spring 2025 due to rockfall risk linked to the retreating Bossons Glacier. There is no longer any supply point along the trail.

Can you still hike to the site without the chalet? Yes, the trail remains open and leads to a viewpoint over the Bossons Glacier, where you can admire its ice pyramids and seracs.

How long does the hike take? About 2 hours 10 minutes from Les Bossons (700 m elevation gain), or roughly 1.5 hours from the top of the chairlift (500 m elevation gain).

Do I need to bring my own water and food? Yes — since the chalet's demolition there is no food, water, or toilet facilities anywhere on the route, so you must come fully prepared.