Chalet de la Balme
The place
Unstaffed alpine chalet set at 1895 m on the western slope of the Lauzière massif (Savoie, municipality of Argentine), at the foot of the Aiguille de Balme. Made up of two buildings: the main building fitted with a wood stove, and an open annexe (2 places). Modest comfort, but a base valued by hunters and hikers. Exceptional view over the lower Maurienne, the Bauges massif and the Aiguille de Balme rising directly above. Classic access via the Montchabert forest road (municipality of Argentine) — parking either at the junction with the road leading to the Montartier valley, or at the end of the Balme valley road (currently closed due to a rockslide). Allow about 2 hours of walking. A mineral and forested setting of the Lauzière-Grand Arc massif: larches, subalpine meadows, panorama over the Maurienne and the Bauges. Emblematic wildlife: chamois, marmot, golden eagle, ptarmigan, black grouse.
Getting there
From the Montchabert forest road (Argentine, Savoie), Montartier parking or end of the Balme road (closed, rockslide), 2 h.
The setting
Western slope of the Lauzière (Argentine), foot of the Aiguille de Balme, panorama over Maurienne-Bauges.
