CSR commitments
Conscious & responsible luxury
In harmony with nature
Nestled between the majestic Mont Blanc and Aiguilles Rouges mountain ranges, the Chamonix Valley lies at the heart of an exceptional natural environment, where the tradition of alpinism has been recognised by UNESCO. A world-renowned destination for mountain sports, as well as for discovery and reconnecting with nature, it leaves a lasting impression on all who visit. The valley is also home to exceptional biodiversity, which has inspired generation after generation.
The Carrier family has deep roots in this region, and the history of Le Hameau Albert 1er is closely tied to it. As witnesses to the effects of global warming, we are committed to playing an active role in protecting our environment.
Concerned about the future of our local natural heritage in the face of climate change, we are more committed than ever to affirming our environmental commitments. Through our hospitality, our expertise and the art of living we share with you every day, we have devised countless ways to reduce our impact, so that the magic of our region may endure.
Vegetable garden and respect for biodiversity
To preserve this green, flower-filled space, while enjoying fresh vegetables and aromatic herbs close at hand, the Carrier family devotes particular care to the garden.
In order to maintain our kitchen garden in an environmentally responsible way, we have chosen to use only natural fertilisers, as well as gardening techniques such as mulching, which helps limit the growth of weeds, thereby reducing the use of weedkillers and soil leaching (erosion or compaction caused by heavy rainfall), while naturally enriching the soil. We experimented with permaculture-based vegetable growing in summer 2025.
As soon as the warmer days arrive, our kitchen teams draw inspiration from our aromatic kitchen garden and create dishes that highlight the beauty of mountain plants and flowers. Our sommeliers also incorporate herbs and flowers from our garden, such as mint, verbena and lemon balm, into their cocktails and infusions, offering refined recipes with a springtime spirit.
Our teams incorporate flowers from our grounds into the décor of the hotel and gastronomic restaurant, adding subtle, natural touches throughout. With sustainability in mind, we have also chosen to reduce the use of annual plants and favour perennial species, in order to limit the need for replanting each season.
Le Hameau’s grounds are also home to our beehives, managed in collaboration with the association “Un Rêve d’Abeilles”, and whose honey inspires our Pastry Chef, Jordan Pedat. This partnership reflects our commitment to biodiversity and environmental preservation.
People at the heart of excellence
With the aim of offering an environmental approach that is as comprehensive and effective as possible, the teams at Le Hameau Albert 1er are involved in this commitment on a daily basis. They are regularly informed about the actions being carried out and the projects underway, enabling them to share our environmental philosophy with you.
Each department manager has developed an environmental protocol for their team. At the beginning of each season, training is provided on the simple actions to adopt in their respective areas.
In 2024, we carried out a carbon assessment to evaluate our greenhouse gas emissions and identify areas for action to reduce our environmental impact. To achieve this, we involved all our teams in the process. Each department manager implemented strategies to collect the data required to calculate our emissions. This assessment highlighted important areas for consideration, after which we defined a concrete action plan for the short, medium and long term.
This carbon assessment will be renewed in 2026/2027 in order to monitor our progress. At the same time, we plan to carry out a comprehensive energy audit of the building and schedule refurbishment work in line with our environmental approach.
Sustainable architecture and renovation
In 1997, in order to build the chalets of Hameau Albert 1er, we carefully dismantled and reassembled around fifteen alpine farm buildings from the region, which were due to be abandoned. Reusing this old timber gave these ancestral farms a second life, without drawing further resources from nature. We are committed to selecting the most durable materials, while favouring quality and natural local products. Wool, leather, linen, horsehair, Mont Blanc granite, and solid wood feature throughout the QuartzBar, the entrance hall, and the lounges of the Albert 1er hotel. The rooms are regularly refurbished to ensure optimum comfort and design while incorporating increasingly sustainable solutions, progressively replacing worn elements with more environmentally friendly equipment.
In autumn 2021, works were carried out to improve both the ergonomics and the environmental performance of our premises.
In 2023, the furnishings of the QuartzBar were completely redesigned to better reflect the emblematic colours of the Chamonix Valley: the luminous yellow of autumn pastures, the clear blue of mountain streams, and the deep green of rhododendrons, in the subalpine zone. This change also provided an opportunity to modernise the lighting, now fitted with low-energy LED bulbs, combining design and efficiency.
In autumn 2024, the basement and kitchen of La Maison Carrier restaurant were fully renovated to adapt to the evolution of our business, whose visitor numbers have doubled over the past 20 years, and to better meet our guests’ expectations. A bespoke kitchen was designed to provide optimal working conditions and protect the health of the teams. The spaces were redesigned to improve organisation and workflow. Finally, high-performance, energy-efficient equipment was installed to combine efficiency with environmental responsibility. This project was recognised for its relevance and supported by CARSAT and Bpifrance as part of the “France Nation Verte” initiative.
Cuisine with a purpose
Damien Leveau, Chef of our gastronomic restaurant, offers his vision of Alpine cuisine, celebrating produce from Savoie, Switzerland and Northern Italy. With the rhythm of the seasons, he draws inspiration from our kitchen garden, adapts his cooking, plays with textures, and presents ingredients in different ways. Behind this essential approach to cuisine lies a genuine pursuit of bold flavours and a deep respect for high-quality, local and seasonal produce.
Grégoire Fracassetti, Chef of La Maison Carrier, reinterprets mountain cuisine by enhancing traditional recipes with local, seasonal produce. Inspired by Le Hameau’s kitchen garden, he creates authentic and generous dishes, in respect of the Alpine terroir.
Since 2008, our gastronomic restaurant and La Maison Carrier have been offering water sourced from the Mont Blanc mountain range, micro-filtered and treated on site using the Aqua Chiara system. Served still or sparkling, it allows us to reduce our consumption of bottled mineral water by 90%, thereby limiting the road transport associated with deliveries.
Our restaurants are mainly supplied by local producers: supporting regional suppliers and short supply chains is central to our philosophy. By working closely with these partners, we reduce our environmental footprint while promoting their expertise. This approach allows us to offer our guests authentic, environmentally responsible cuisine, while highlighting the richness of our region.
Local craftsmanship lies at the heart of our dining experience, showcasing the expertise of artisans from the valley. Cécile Ballauri handcrafts our plates and vases in Servoz, while Jérôme Leprêtre designs our knives in Passy, using exclusively wood from local forests.
Towards zero waste
Our teams are trained by department managers and in collaboration with SITOM in waste sorting and recycling techniques. In 2024, we acquired a GEB Solutions unit for the treatment of organic waste. This machine dehydrates waste from our two kitchens, reducing its volume by up to five times. The resulting powder is partly used as compost in our kitchen garden. As part of our ongoing commitment to sustainable waste management, all non-organic waste is collected or voluntarily taken to dedicated recycling centres in the Chamonix Valley.
In addition, local forest rangers work with us to help feed deer in the valley’s forests. As such, we contribute a portion of our food waste to support the local wildlife.
Secure, free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel. In order to reduce paper waste, newspapers are offered in digital format through our subscription service. All menus, service information and details of activities in the Chamonix Valley are also available on our website, helping to limit unnecessary printing.
Our bed, bath and table linen is also recycled internally whenever possible, or donated to various charitable and non-profit organisations.
Finally, we regularly donate small pieces of furniture, crockery and other items to the Chamonix recycling and reuse centre, giving them a second life. Outdated paper documents and brochures are also made available to local primary schools to support children’s creative activities.
Energy under control
We are committed to phasing out fuel in favour of mains gas, which is cleaner and less polluting, to supply our boilers.
The most recent buildings are equipped with Canadian wells (ground-to-air heat exchangers) and heat pumps instead of traditional heating and air-conditioning systems. The property is set by default to use energy-saving programmes on its machines and equipment, optimising water, electricity and detergent consumption. In addition, since 2021, the entire hotel has been fitted with low-energy LED lighting.
We closely monitor our energy consumption in order to better manage and reduce our environmental impact. As part of this approach, we favour sustainable solutions such as low-energy equipment, waste recovery, and the adoption of environmentally responsible practices in our daily operations.
The association “Toits des Cimes” is conducting a feasibility study for the installation of photovoltaic panels on the roofs of Le Hameau. Founded in 2021 in the Chamonix Valley, the association uses its expertise to promote the energy transition by facilitating the installation of solar panels, an initiative we are proud to support.
Water, a precious resource
La piscine et le spa sont des facteurs importants de consommation d’eau. Pour vous faire profiter de cet espace tout en limitant notre impact environnemental, voici le compromis auquel nous avons abouti : depuis 2011, notre hauteur de bassin est raisonnée (1,50 m), permettant ainsi de limiter la quantité d’eau pour son alimentation, et par conséquent le traitement ou encore la consommation énergétique. Également, la nuit, ou lorsque la piscine est inutilisée par temps frais, nous couvrons la partie extérieure, afin de limiter les déperditions de chaleur inutiles.
Another significant source of water consumption in our establishment is the washing of bath and bed linen. To address this, we have developed specific machine-washing programmes for each type of linen, designed to reduce water and detergent use. Our investment in new, higher-performance machines in 2025 enables us to further optimise our water and electricity consumption.
To go further, we rely on you, dear guests, to help us reduce our consumption. We are committed to washing your bath linen only upon request. If you would like your towels to be washed and replaced, please place them in the bathtub; if you wish to reuse them, you may leave them on the towel rail. For bed linen, please place the card provided on your bedside table on your bed to let us know that you would like to reduce the frequency of linen changes. In this way, your sheets will be changed every four days rather than every other day, helping to significantly reduce water and detergent consumption!
Two streams run through the heart of Le Hameau, fed by a continuous recycling system that ensures responsible and controlled water management.
Irrigation is mainly carried out manually, allowing us to better adjust water use according to weather conditions and adapt on a daily basis.
Sustainable transport
We provide electric vehicle charging points, including two compatible with Tesla vehicles and two others suitable for all types of electric vehicles.
Information on public transport in the Chamonix Valley (maps and timetables) is available at reception. A large part of the transport network is free of charge and runs on electric power. This includes the Mulet, the fast electric shuttle serving Chamonix and the surrounding area. The guest card (carte d’hôte), available at reception, gives you free access to the Chamonix Valley train, between the stations of Servoz and Vallorcine. More than just a journey, enjoy the panoramic views from this iconic red and white Chamonix train.
Our central location in Chamonix allows you to reach many points of interest on foot, thereby reducing the need for motorised transport. Traditional and electric bicycles are also available free of charge (subject to availability).
We encourage our staff to travel on foot or by bicycle, supported by the proximity of our accommodation, most of which is located within a 30-minute walk of the hotel. Our central location in the heart of Chamonix is an advantage in promoting active travel and helping to reduce our carbon footprint.
Since summer 2026, we have been working with a provider offering fully electric transfers between Geneva Airport and Chamonix, supporting more sustainable travel to Le Hameau Albert 1er.
Our careful efforts
For the comfort and well-being of all, Le Hameau Albert 1er is committed to using cleaning products and equipment selected not only for their quality, but also for their composition and environmental impact. A large proportion of these products are eco-labelled and ergonomically designed for our teams. Our staff are trained to use the correct dosage for each product, helping to reduce consumption and minimise waste. We limit the use of chemical and/or hazardous products as much as possible and follow strict safety procedures to avoid unnecessary handling.
Since 2009, we have replaced the traditional chlorine treatment used for the swimming pool and spa with a mixed Bio-UV system, reducing chlorine to the minimum level required. This treatment ensures pure, crystal-clear water that is odourless and gentle on the skin and eyes.
We are committed to reducing our paper consumption even further. To achieve this, we have already introduced several initiatives. All our hotel services and menus can be accessed via the TVs in our guest rooms, significantly reducing the need for printed materials. Our reception team is also trained to assist guests using the tablet available at the front desk and encourages them to download the “Chamonix” app for additional information.
To continue with this approach, we will be digitising our reception procedures. The acquisition of a new hotel management system will enable us, from December 2026 onwards, to provide hotel and restaurant guests with a digital presentation of their bills on a tablet when they check out. Hotel and restaurant reservation management will be optimised and streamlined, while the interaction between the various schedules for the hotel, restaurant, spa, bike hire and seminars will be managed digitally, avoiding the need for paper printing.
Finally, from September 2026 onwards, supplier invoices will be processed digitally.
Inspiring initiatives
We are involved in several social and environmental initiatives, both in the Chamonix Valley and internationally.
At a local level, we support the Chamonix ice hockey team, Les Pionniers, which proudly represents one of the region’s sporting disciplines. In another field, we highlight the work of local artists, as well as those who draw inspiration from the landscapes of Chamonix through their creations. Our exhibitions change regularly, presenting an ever-growing variety of original and diverse artistic styles.
We also support the association À Chacun son Everest, founded by Christine Janin, which organises sponsored running events every summer where each kilometre covered is converted into a donation. These donations help fund sports-based stays for children and women affected by cancer.
We are also members of the G.R.E.En Network (a network of committed businesses), which brings together more than 60 businesses in the valley as part of a collective approach to reducing carbon emissions and preserving biodiversity.
As partners of the Chamonix Photo Festival, we support an exhibition that combines beauty with reflection on environmental issues.
At a national level, we collaborate with the association Un Rêve d’Abeilles, with whom we jointly manage our beehives. This association works to raise awareness of bee protection by providing educational activities in schools, community centres and businesses. It also contributes to restoring the natural habitats of wild and domestic bees by creating beehives, shelters and wildflower meadows.
At an international level, we collect champagne and sparkling wine capsules, which are then donated to the association Pérou Peuples Jeunes, which supports projects in disadvantaged communities in Peru. These projects include construction, urban development, healthcare, sport, violence prevention and support for the local artisan economy. For every 700 capsules collected, a child’s sponsorship is funded for one year.
Roots and heritage
Within the hotel, we offer a range of activities to help you discover the natural surroundings of our establishment. Our reception and concierge team will be happy to provide information about the local hiking trails. You can also make use of our mountain bike loan service (both traditional and electric bikes) for your sporting excursions. In addition, we offer the opportunity to explore our vegetable garden and beehives during a visit combining expertise, the environment and gastronomy. You are also welcome to take part in honey harvesting with our beekeepers during the season (in summer, preferably at the end of a sunny day). Finally, for a moment of relaxation and harmony with nature, enjoy a visit to Le Bachal swimming pool and spa, overlooking Mont Blanc.
To offer you a Chamonix experience that is as unique as it is authentic, we work in collaboration with local guides who can accompany you on ski touring, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, mountaineering, dog sledding and many other activities. Experts in the region’s flora and fauna, they can also share their knowledge of the best practices for preserving our mountains, should you wish to learn more during your excursion. Our guides are native to the region, allowing you to support the local economy while benefiting from the extensive knowledge of our partner mountain guides. Some are specialised and qualified in glaciology and heritage tours, offering far more than a simple hike. Raising awareness among our guests is a way of contributing to the preservation of our beautiful valley.
Clé Verte: our commitment to the future
“Clef Verte” is the leading sustainable tourism certification for tourist accommodation and restaurants worldwide. We are proud to be part of this certification, which recognises establishments committed to environmentally responsible and socially responsible practices.
This certification is particularly important for Le Hameau Albert 1er, as it enables us to highlight our actions while encouraging us to continually improve our environmental performance.
We are strongly committed to adopting sustainable practices in order to reduce our impact in the Chamonix Valley and promote ethical and sustainable tourism.
We involve our teams in this approach, convinced that it is together that we will achieve our objectives of reducing our ecological footprint. Each and every one of us has a role to play and actively contributes to this commitment.
By staying at Le Hameau Albert 1er, you become an active participant in responsible and sustainable tourism, committed to preserving the environment for future generations.
Preserving the Alpine region
Through its environmental commitment, Le Hameau Albert 1er contributes to a wider collective effort to protect the natural environment by supporting and complementing regional initiatives. On our own scale, we strive to provide practical solutions to an issue that concerns us all. Indeed, the Chamonix region and valley are taking action to combat climate change. In 2025, the focus is on glacier preservation, a crucial issue for the valley, with concrete initiatives to raise awareness and take action.
The Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region has introduced several projects to develop more responsible tourism: a sustainable tourism manifesto, the ESSENTIEM endowment fund (established in 2020, including an initiative to fund mountain stays for healthcare workers and their families following the increased workload caused by coronavirus), as well as a report and performance indicators. The valley is committed to awareness-raising initiatives, such as the organisation of the “Summit for Sustainable Mountain Development”, an event bringing together experts and citizens to develop strategies that strengthen the resilience of Alpine regions in the face of climate change. At the same time, Chamonix is committed to expanding its soft mobility network by providing a train service every 30 minutes on the Mont-Blanc Express line, an enhanced bus network and an expanding network of cycle paths, offering practical alternatives to individual motorised transport.
Since 2025, the Chamonix Valley has been actively encouraging tourism professionals and local stakeholders to adopt the Flocon Vert certification, which recognises sustainable and responsible initiatives. This collective approach aims to reduce the environmental impact of activities throughout the valley, while preserving its exceptional landscapes and supporting sustainable tourism.
