It's not often you can say you’ve stayed on the top of the world. But that’s what you get at La Haut, a “refuge” 1,830 metres up the French Alps.
This quirky collection of 1960s polar exploration shelters in the beautiful Massif des Bauges UNESCO Geopark strips things down to the essentials in epic fashion.
Bed and breakfast with 360-degree views of Mont Blanc, Lake Annecy and Tignes is served here, but this is no hotel.
The five metal shelters were airlifted, one by one, by helicopter and dropped on top of La Sambuy Mountain.
The renovated rooms have a single or double bed, blankets, kettle, water, candles, some books (in French) and a first aid kit.
Lifted off the ground and suspended by metal posts means the footprint of each shelter doesn’t affect the wildlife – the only way they were allowed in this UNESCO geopark.
Bespoke tours, hiking or skiing can be arranged in advance, the location offering one red and two black ski slopes.