Refuge de Rochassac

The place

Planned sleeping places: 7. Places on mattresses: 7. Two buildings: the first, further west, is always closed - it is actually used by shepherds and ONF (forestry service) staff. The other shelter was renovated starting in early May 2016, reopened in July 2016 - see the comments. It has two levels: - A ground floor with a table, benches, and a latest-generation stove. - An upper floor used for sleeping, with mattresses. The floor is entirely covered with a thick foam layer. Excellent insulation. It was carefully finished and a ventilation duct (which can be closed off with a sliding shutter) was fitted into the north gable. It's a safe bet that the stove's heat (as well as body heat from sleepers), even in winter, will quickly make the sleeping floor more than comfortable, to the point you might not even need a sleeping bag. A few blankets are available. - The shelter is very well insulated and the stove doesn't need much fuel to easily reach over 20°C upstairs! A good spring flows just nearby. The water is ice-cold, even at present (August 2016). Dry toilets are accessible via a path behind the shelter. Firewood is not close by, since the forest ends 100 m of elevation further down. Mobile signal: good (3G reception - Orange). From the hamlet of Longueville (commune of Saint-Baudille-et-Pipet, near Mens), follow the well-marked and maintained (yellow) trail, which crosses many other paths and tracks. You can also take the Sentier de l'Hirondelle, which also starts from Longueville but a bit further north; it's a little steeper, with some sections that may unsettle those more sensitive to exposure. Winter: most slopes in this area are highly avalanche-prone, and even the main access route can be dangerous on its upper section. For any questions, you can contact Flavien by email at flavien.pays@onf.fr. Saint-Baudille-et-Pipet town hall - 04 76 34 64 97 - mairiesbp@orange.fr