Bivouac
Bivouac rules
Bivouacking is permitted on the massif. As part of the massif is classified as a “Natura 2000” site, certain rules must be respected.
Page updated on August 22, 2026
The essential rules
By living alongside one another, let us prevent damage to the flora and natural habitats and disturbance to the wildlife.
Choosing your spot
Ask for advice and introduce yourself to the refuge team. Settle on ground that is already used, such as places where the grass is already flattened by frequent hikers.
When can I pitch my tent?
You can pitch your tent from 19:00 and take it down before 9:00. You may only stay one night in the same place; remember that bivouacking is meant to be a temporary, discreet and self-sufficient activity.
Can I light a campfire?
No, it is forbidden, even when surrounded by stones. DO NOT MOVE THE SURROUNDING STONES
Can I use the refuge's services?
The refuge team counts on you to limit movement inside the building (evening service, toilets in the morning during cleaning). In bad weather, the common areas can be almost full. In this exceptional case, we may not be able to shelter everyone.
What should I do with my waste?
Take everything back down to the valley, where bins are available. Do not leave your waste behind, even natural waste such as food scraps (apple cores, banana skins, eggshells, fruit stones, etc.), paper or packaging. Do not leave toilet paper lying around.
Can I swim, do my washing-up or wash in the lakes?
No, all swimming and water activities are forbidden in the lakes. Opt for a quick wash 200 m away from any drinking water source.
I leave no trace of my visit. Bivouacking is an activity directly connected with NATURE.
HELP US keep bivouacking permitted on our massif by respecting the regulations :)
Services by hut
The services offered by each hut:
- Refuge du ThaborModane
- Bivouac
- permitted
- Pitches
- around the Ste Marguerite lakes (Lac rond and Lac Long)
For people bivouacking
- Evening meal
- no
- Breakfast
- no
- Packed lunch
- no
- Gas / picnic room
- no
- Toilets
- yes
- Showers
- yes, for a fee of €3
- Refuge des MarchesOrelle
- Bivouac
- permitted provided you buy something at the refuge
- Pitches
- near the refuge
For people bivouacking
- Evening meal
- yes (booking is preferable)
- Breakfast
- yes
- Packed lunch
- yes (booking required)
- Gas / picnic room
- no
- Toilets
- yes, dry toilets
- Showers
- yes, for a fee of €4
- Refuge I Re MagiNévache
- Bivouac
- permitted, for a fee of €5
- Pitches
- on private land near the refuge
For people bivouacking
- Evening meal
- yes (booking required)
- Breakfast
- yes (booking required)
- Packed lunch
- yes (booking required)
- Gas / picnic room
- no
- Toilets
- yes
- Showers
- yes
- Refuge de RicouNévache
- Bivouac
- not permitted between 01/07 and 31/08
- Pitches
- go to the Fontcouverte campsite, 25 min away on foot
For people bivouacking
- Evening meal
- no
- Breakfast
- no
- Packed lunch
- no
- Gas / picnic room
- no
- Toilets
- no
- Showers
- no
- Refuge LavalNévache
- Bivouac
- not permitted
- Pitches
- tent pitching possible 1 hour's walk from any road access / Go to the campsite in the Névache valley
For people bivouacking
- Evening meal
- no
- Breakfast
- no
- Packed lunch
- no
- Gas / picnic room
- no
- Toilets
- no
- Showers
- no
- Refuge BuffèreNévache
- Bivouac
- not permitted in the immediate vicinity of the refuge
- Pitches
- tent pitching possible 1 hour's walk from any road access / or outside our park. You can also go to the Fontcouverte campsite in the Névache valley
For people bivouacking
- Evening meal
- no
- Breakfast
- no
- Packed lunch
- no
- Gas / picnic room
- no
- Toilets
- no
- Showers
- solar showers after the refuge's overnight guests, from 19:00
- Refuge Terre RougeValmeinier
- Bivouac
- permitted
- Pitches
- in the small valley, near the refuge In July/August: pitches in the immediate vicinity reserved for bivouackers who have their evening meal at the refuge
For people bivouacking
- Evening meal
- yes (booking required) with a limit of 15-20 evening meals for bivouackers, in addition to the refuge's overnight guests
- Breakfast
- yes (booking required)
- Packed lunch
- yes (booking required)
- Gas / picnic room
- no
- Toilets
- yes
- Showers
- hot, for a fee of €4 (ask on site)
- Refuge Terzo AlpiniNévache
- Bivouac
- permitted provided you have the evening meal and breakfast at the refuge
- Pitches
- in the refuge's meadow
For people bivouacking
- Evening meal
- yes
- Breakfast
- yes
- Packed lunch
- yes
- Gas / picnic room
- Not stated
- Toilets
- yes
- Showers
- yes, for a fee of €1
- Refuge du Clot des VachesLe Monêtier-les-Bains
- Bivouac
- permitted provided you have the evening meal and breakfast at the refuge
- Pitches
- near the refuge
For people bivouacking
- Evening meal
- yes
- Breakfast
- yes
- Packed lunch
- yes
- Gas / picnic room
- no
- Toilets
- yes, dry toilets
- Showers
- yes, for a fee of €3
- Refuge Guido ReyOulx
- Bivouac
- permitted
- Pitches
- near the refuge
For people bivouacking
- Evening meal
- yes (booking required)
- Breakfast
- yes (booking required)
- Packed lunch
- yes (booking required)
- Gas / picnic room
- no
- Toilets
- yes
- Showers
- yes, for a fee of €2
- Refuge des DrayèresNévache
- Bivouac
- not permitted
- Pitches
- forbidden within a 500 m radius of the refuge
For people bivouacking
- Evening meal
- no
- Breakfast
- no
- Packed lunch
- no
- Gas / picnic room
- no
- Toilets
- yes
- Showers
- no
- Refuge du ChardonnetNévache
- Bivouac
- Not stated
- Pitches
- Not stated
For people bivouacking
- Evening meal
- Not stated
- Breakfast
- Not stated
- Packed lunch
- Not stated
- Gas / picnic room
- Not stated
- Toilets
- Not stated
- Showers
- Not stated
More information
Together, let us avoid any contamination of the water, whether by chemicals, sun cream, soaps, industrial shampoos or waste in aquatic ecosystems. Areas close to springs or drinking water reservoirs are therefore places to avoid for any bivouac activity.
For more information, see the Clarée regulations for the preservation of natural environments, including the ban on swimming in the lakes - Névache town hall