Family history
Five generations, the same values
The Carrier family has made Le Hameau Albert 1er one of the most distinguished addresses in the Alps.
Rooted in the Chamonix Valley, its history, which began in 1903, continues to this day and is carried forward with passion.
Biography of a Hotel
From 1903 to 2023… 120 years that have passed almost as if by magic. The modest Pension du Chemin de Fer has been transformed into an exceptional estate, a place to feel at home: Le Hameau Albert 1er.
Five generations have been dedicated to enriching this remarkable family heritage. Giving meaning to every renovation and creation is undoubtedly the secret behind this exemplary success. Having joined the prestigious Relais & Châteaux association in 1999, Le Hameau Albert 1er — a pioneer in mountain design and interiors — continues to elevate its values to the highest standards of luxury hospitality, earning its fifth star in 2011.
Here, guests are invited to fully enjoy the many charms of this Chamonix icon. At Le Hameau Albert 1er, a variety of accommodation styles are offered, each subtly reflecting its natural surroundings through carefully chosen furniture, objects, artworks, materials and colours. Every suite refines its own interior architecture and atmosphere: warm and authentic in the traditional wood setting of La Ferme; more contemporary at the Albert 1er, where bold and subtle tones come together in harmony, blending high-end design with antique Savoyard furniture, paintings, engravings and handcrafted objects selected with care. Beautiful books displayed on the shelves invite guests to discover the region in greater depth.
Family collections are showcased throughout the property, adding a unique soul to each space and enhancing the visual experience of the stay. The modern elegance of the suites and chalets, along with their originality, results from a delicate balance between a passion for Alpine rural heritage and a love of contemporary design.
Perrine Carrier, an active and committed General Manager
The human adventure of Le Hameau Albert 1er is such that the term biography naturally replaces that of history when speaking of what five passionate generations of the Carrier family have envisioned, transforming a modest small hotel into a magnificent hamlet crowned with five stars. Perrine Carrier indulges our curiosity and takes us deeper into the story of this beautiful family saga. Here’s what she has to say…
“My great-great-grandfather, Joseph Carrier, a grocer and stagecoach operator, witnessed the arrival of the railway in Chamonix in 1902. Faced with this change, he decided in 1903 to build the house where you are now standing, which he named at the time La Pension du Chemin de Fer. A simple, modest hotel located just a stone’s throw from the train station, open only during the summer season.When Chamonix hosted the first Winter Olympic Games in 1924, the hotel was fitted with heating to embrace the growing appeal of winter tourism in the mountains. Albert I, King of Belgium and an experienced mountaineer, became a regular visitor to Chamonix. After his death in 1934, and following a brief period under the care of a Milanese acting manager during the Moroccan War, my great-grandfather François-Joseph renamed the establishment Hôtel Albert 1er et de Milan.
A generation later, it was my grandparents, Marcel and Andrée Carrier, who took over the running of the hotel. Marcel took charge of the kitchen. In 1979, together with his son Pierre Carrier, they built three traditional timber farmhouses, comprising twelve rooms, a wellness area with swimming pool and spa, and La Maison Carrier, a traditional restaurant. This marked the birth of Le Hameau Albert 1er. In 1999, Pierre Carrier was awarded his second Michelin star, and Le Hameau Albert 1er joined the prestigious Relais & Châteaux association. In 2011, the hotel was awarded its five-star classification. Pierre Maillet succeeded my father as head chef of the gastronomic restaurant until autumn 2018. Today, Damien Leveau, formerly his sous-chef, is at the helm of the kitchen, offering a creative universe that honours his Michelin star.
As for me, Perrine, representing the fifth generation, I joined the family venture in 2002 and am delighted to continue writing the beautiful story of Le Hameau Albert 1er. Constantly evolving, this family saga more than ever embodies the Carrier family’s values, which for over 120 years have drawn their strength from continually challenging themselves in pursuit of ever higher standards and an ever broader vision.”
Perrine Carrier, General Manager of Le Hameau Albert 1er.
