Overview: The A Neuve hut and the scope of the project
Perched on a rocky spur at 2,735 meters, the cabane de l’A Neuve has watched over the Val Ferret since 1926. This summer, a major renovation is underway to strengthen the timber frame and floor and to repair the hut’s original roof. The aim is to preserve the shelter’s character while enhancing safety for future visitors, as it prepares to weather its 99th winter.
Access and on-site life
Because the hike to the hut starts about three and a half hours from the first village, the work relies on aerial logistics. During the project, craftsmen will live on site in complete autarky. “We owe thanks to the helicopters — without them, the old way would be the only way,” says carpenter Guillaume Copt, noting the change from the century-old era when materials were carried by hand. Morisod adds: “We have to bring winter gear, meat sacks and sleeping bags—things you wouldn’t normally bring to a hut.”
Safety upgrades and signature repairs
To meet avalanche safety standards, the structural frame and the floor require reinforcement, and the roof—still the original—needs essential repairs. The hut’s keeper, who has tended the place for more than two decades, recalls that “the roof leaked and the dormitory mattresses sometimes stayed damp.”
Authenticity intact: a deliberate choice
The project carries a CHF 400,000 price tag, but organizers vow not to modernize the hut beyond its historical core. “It will stay authentic,” says Gabioud. “Authentic huts are rare; visitors arrive and say, ‘this is a real hut!’”
Timeline and outlook
Work began on August 18 and is scheduled to run through October 3, concluding just before the hut’s 99th winter season. Once finished, A Neuve will stand ready to welcome hikers and mountaineers while preserving the ethos of a traditional alpine refuge.
Why this matters for alpine heritage
In a region where modern infrastructure climbs higher and higher, protecting a genuine, time-honored mountain shelter matters for cultural memory and local identity. The renovation at A Neuve demonstrates that high-altitude craft—carpentry, timberwork, and traditional roofing—can continue to flourish without erasing history, ensuring that future generations experience the same uniqueness that drew visitors to the hut in 1926.
