General terms and conditions
hutS ON THE MONT BLANC NORMAL ROUTE
GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR BOOKING ACCOMMODATION SERVICES
PREAMBULE
The French Federation of Alpine and Mountain Clubs (FFCAM), a public utility association under a 1901 law, with registered office at 24 avenue de Laumière 75019 PARIS, SIRET no. 775 671 316 00260 (Civil liability insurance, AXA policy no. 4706458904) operates an electronic remote selling system for hut accommodation services along the Mont Blanc normal route.
Two booking channels are available: one for “professional” customers and one for “general public” customers.
Any booking through this system implies the consultation and full and unreserved acceptance of these general conditions of sale.
The customer's consent to these general terms and conditions of sale occurs at the time of booking before final validation of the booking.
The customer has the possibility of saving and printing these terms and conditions using his browser or PC's standard features.
All reservation information accessible via the remote reservation system is shown in French, as well as in a number of other languages. Only the French version is authentic; automatic translations do not incur the responsibility of the FFCAM.
ARTICLE 1 : OBJECT
These terms and conditions of sale determine the rights and responsibilities of the parties relating to bookings made through this site in the huts located along the normal access route to the Mont Blanc.
The accommodation services are sold by FFCAM. They are subject to a reservation with payment of a deposit on line at the time of reservation.
The term “customer” refers to the person buying accommodation in the hut on-line, whether a professional or a private individual.
The customer declares being legally entitled to enter into these terms and conditions.
ARTICLE 2 :TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR BOOKING ACCOMMODATION SERVICES
2.1 Définitions
The term “stay” refers to one or more consecutive nights in the same accommodation, whether or not combined with catering services. No stay may exceed 2 consecutive nights
Bookings can be made for a maximum of 12 people per date chosen, including guide(s).
A “basket” refers to a reservation for one or more stays. It may consist of consecutive stays in different huts on the Mont Blanc normal route.
It is bookable by payment of a deposit in a single instalment.
2.2 Procedures for booking non-professional customers
On-line booking requests are made in two distinct stages: pre-booking and finalisation of the booking.
Step 1: on-line pre-booking:
On-line pre-booking requests are made by selecting a date(s) and a number of participants for the stay.
The on-line booking procedure is composed of the following steps:
- Login to the customer account: connection to an existing account or creation of a customer account (contact details of the customer and password to be entered).
- Display of availability
- Choice of date(s) and number of participants.
After validation of this step by the customer, an automatic registration email is generated. The spots are blocked in the accommodation(s) concerned.
The FFCAM validates the pre-booking and sends the customer an email enabling the booking to be finalised.
The customer has 48 hours from the date of this e-mail to finalise the booking: failure to take action on the customer’s part after this period will result in loss of the booking.
Step 2: finalisation of booking:
The finalisation e-mail contains an automatic link to log-in directly to the pre-booking, via the customer account.
The customer fills in the following information: information regarding the stay, customer identification form, and sends a copy of the documents justifying the identity of each participant in the stay. The following supporting documents are accepted: identity card, passport, driving licence. The computer formats accepted are .jpeg and .pdf. The customer certifies that the information provided is truthful, in particular as regards his/her surname, first name, date of birth, nationality and capacity (guide, aspiring guide with professional card number, private individual). This information is mandatory for the booking to be validated. The FFCAM reserves the right to cancel a stay containing manifestly false information.
Summary and verification of the details of the order, the amount of the deposit, the estimated total price, correction of any errors and viewing of the terms and conditions of sale.
Upon clicking on the “VALIDATE AND ACCESS PAYMENT” button, the customer validates and confirms the order and information provided, declares having read and accepted the terms and conditions of sale, and is irrevocably bound to the order.
On-line payment of the deposit and booking fees, in order to confirm the reservation.
Automatic sending of an e-mail to the customer’s e-mail address, with a personal booking slip.
It is up to the customer to ensure successful completion of an order.
The customer acknowledges that the data recorded on the site are proof of the transaction (date, services booked), and the data recorded by the payment system described below are proof of the financial transaction.
2.3 Booking procedures for professional customers
On-line booking requests are made in two distinct stages: pre-booking and finalisation of the booking.
Step 1: pre-booking:
Pre-booking requests may be made either on-line or by telephone.
- The on-line booking procedure is composed of the following steps:
- Login to the customer account: connection to an existing account or creation of a customer account (contact details of the customer and password to be entered).
- Display of availability
- Choice of date(s) and number of participants.
After validation of this step by the customer, an automatic registration email is generated. The spots are blocked in the accommodation(s) concerned.
- The on-line booking procedure is composed of the following steps:
- Login to the customer account: connection to an existing account or creation of a customer account (entering the customer’s contact details and password): the telephone number of the dedicated FFCAM operator is displayed.
- Choice of date(s) and number of participants, depending on availability announced by the operator on the dates requested.
The spots are blocked in the accommodation(s) concerned.
In both cases, the FFCAM validates the pre-booking and sends the customer an email through which the booking can be finalised. The customer has 48 hours from the date of this e-mail to finalise the booking: failure to take action on the customer’s part after this period will result in loss of the booking.
Step 2: finalisation of booking:
The finalisation e-mail contains an automatic link to automatically log-in to its pre-booking via the customer account.
The customer fills in the following information: information about the stay and customer identification form, and sends a copy of the documents proving the identity of each customer on-line. The following supporting documents are accepted: identity card, passport, driving licence. The computer formats accepted are .jpeg and .pdf. The customer certifies that the information provided is truthful, in particular as regards his/her surname, first name, date of birth, nationality and capacity (guide, aspiring guide with professional card number, private individual). This information is mandatory for the booking to be validated. The FFCAM reserves the right to cancel a stay containing manifestly false information.
Summary and verification of the details of the order, the amount of the deposit, the estimated total price, correction of any errors and viewing of the terms and conditions of sale.
Upon clicking on the “VALIDATE AND ACCESS PAYMENT” button, the customer validates and confirms the order and information provided, declares having read and accepted the terms and conditions of sale, and is irrevocably bound to the order.
Online payment of the deposit and booking fees, in order to confirm the reservation.
Automatic sending of an e-mail to the customer’s e-mail address, with a personal booking slip.
It is up to the customer to ensure successful completion of an order.
The customer acknowledges that the data recorded on the site are proof of the transaction (date, services booked), and the data recorded by the payment system described below are proof of the financial transaction.
2.4 Special conditions for booking by telephone with the hut keeper
The conditions of sale for stays reserved with the caretaker will be updated by the time the refuges open. Stays booked online are not affected by these upcoming changes.
The term "LAST MINUTE STAY" refers to a "STAY" within the meaning of these GCS whose start date is less than 10 days from the time of booking. Only last minute stays can be booked by telephone directly with the hut keeper.
Step 1: Pre-booking by phone:
On telephone call from the client (professional or non-professional) directly to the hut keeper at the telephone numbers:
For the hut du Goûter, by dialing +33 (0) 4 50 54 40 93 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For the Tête Rousse hut, by dialing +33 (0) 4 81 91 86 56 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For the Nid d'Aigle hut, by dialing +33 (0) 4 50 58 05 78 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Places are blocked in the accommodation(s) concerned. The hut keeper generates a pre-booking of a stay in the customer account.
Step 2: Finalization of the reservation
The finalisation email contains an automatic link to automatically log-in to its pre-booking via the customer account.
The customer fills in the following information: information about the stay and customer identification form. The customer certifies that the information provided is truthful, in particular as regards his/her surname, first name, date of birth, nationality and capacity (guide, aspiring guide with professional card number, private individual). This information is mandatory for the booking to be validated. The FFCAM reserves the right to cancel a stay containing manifestly false information.
Summary and verification of the details of the order, the amount of the deposit, the estimated total price, correction of any errors and viewing of the terms and conditions of sale.
Upon clicking on the “VALIDATE AND ACCESS PAYMENT” button, the customer validates and confirms the order and information provided, declares having read and accepted the terms and conditions of sale, and is irrevocably bound to the order.
Online payment of the deposit and booking fees, in order to confirm the reservation. Automatic sending of an e-mail to the customer’s e-mail address, with a personal booking slip.
It is up to the customer to ensure successful completion of an order.
The customer acknowledges that the data recorded on the site are proof of the transaction (date, services booked), and the data recorded by the payment system described below are proof of the financial transaction.
ARTICLE 3 : PRICE
The prices indicated in the price schedule specific to each hut are in euros, per person and are those in force at the time the order is placed.
Reduced rates are valid only upon presentation at the hut of the specific valid documents requested by the FFCAM (see article 6).
The amount indicated at the time the order is placed does not include the taxes in effect, applied in each building (the amount of the tourist tax is listed for information purposes, it will be collected by the hut keeper).
A non-recoverable reservation fee of €5 is applied to each reservation basket.
In case of non-booking, an increase of €30 on the price of the night will be applied on arrival at the refuge (if places are available).
ARTICLE 4: PAYMENT AT TIME OF BOOKING
In order to validate the reservation, the customer pays on-line the amount of the deposit for the stay(s) booked and the reservation fee of €5 on each basket.
This amount is automatically calculated during the on-line booking procedure.
Payment is made by credit card, through secure internet pages. Details of the bank card are encrypted with SSL (Secured Socket Layer).
Electronic cards or E-cards are not accepted by the system for technical reasons.
All invoices are made available to customers in the on-line customer space.
ARTICLE 5 : PAYMENT OF BALANCE OF STAY
The balance of services booked must be paid at the hut, on arrival, according to the procedures in place at each building.
At the time of booking, the client’s attention is drawn to the methods of payment accepted by the hut.
Accommodation may be refused to any customer failing to pay upon arrival.
Reduced rates will be granted only upon presentation of the corresponding valid documents (FFCAM license, reciprocal association card, professional card, etc.) to the hut hut keeper.
The customer must be in possession of the corresponding supporting document. Failing this, the normal rate will be charged.
In the case of an arrival without booking, an increase in the rate will be applied to the Goûter hut insofar as it is not a question of a return from a "Grande Course". You will be welcomed subject to availability of places.
ARTICLE 6 : DEADLINE FOR BOOKINGS
In accordance with Article 2-2 et 2-3, bookings are possible up to 11 days before the day of arrival, subject to availability.
After this time, bookings may be made by telephone with the hut keeper for stays taking place within the next 10 days (article 2-4), subject to availability and the special conditions provided by the guardian, in particular the non-reimbursement of booking fees and the deposit (article 8.6).
Example: for a stay starting on the night of 25 to 26 July, bookings are possible on-line until 14 July at 23:59. From 15 July to 25 July, bookings can be made by telephone.
ARTICLE 7 : DURATION OF VALIDITY OF BOOKINGS
The client’s booking is maintained until the time of arrival at the hut listed on the reservation form (maximum 5pm). Beyond this time, the client's booking will be cancelled and the deposit will be kept.
ARTICLE 8 : MODIFICATION OR CANCELLATION OF A RESERVATION BY THE CUSTOMER
8.1 Change in identities
Only the identity of the guide (or aspiring guide) leading a group may be modified until the day before the stay.
The identity of each of the other participants in the stay cannot be changed. In the event of a change in the identity of a participant other than the guide or aspiring guide, a cancellation must be made on-line and a new booking made in the name of the new participant, subject to the availability of spots at that time.
8.2 Decrease in the number of participants on a booking
In the event that a participant can no longer take part in the stay, the customer must cancel the booking of the participant concerned via the customer account, entering the identity of the participant to be cancelled.
Cancelling a participant does not change the booking of other participants in the stay.
The rules for reimbursement of the deposit connected with the cancelled overnight stay(s) are the same as for complete cancellation.
8.3 Increase in number of participants
An increase in the number of participants or length of stay must give rise to a new additional on-line booking on the FFCAM website in the customer area.
8.4 Complete cancellation of a booking.
Customers are free to cancel their reservation, subject to the following conditions:
Cancellation must be made on-line, exclusively by logging into the Customer account.
The deposit paid by the customer is refundable subject to the following conditions:
In the event of cancellation more than 24 hours before the first day of the stay at 00:00 French time (GMT+2 in summer time, GMT+1 in winter time), the deposit will be reimbursed after deduction of:
• €15/night/person cancelled for the Goûter and Tête Rousse huts.
• €2/night/person cancelled for the Nid d’Aigle hut.
In the event of cancellation less than 24 hours before the first day of the stay at 0:00 French time: the deposit will not be refunded and will be kept by the FFCAM.
For example, for a reservation for the night of 25 to 26 July (date of stay: 25 July 0:00), the customer may cancel after deduction of the above amounts until 23 July (D-1) at 23:59.
The balance will be refunded automatically.
8.5 Change of date or hut for a booked stay
It is not possible to modify the date or the hut concerned for a stay already booked.
In the event of a change of date or of the hut concerned by your stay, your first reservation must be cancelled. The rules for refunding the deposit associated with the canceled night(s) are those specified in article 8.4. Then you must book a new stay, subject to availability, on the desired date or in the new hut concerned.
No deposit already paid can be transferred from one stay to another.
8.6 Stays booked with the hut keeper
For stays booked by telephone with the hut keeper (Article 6: stays booked less than 10 days from their effective date), cancellation must be made by telephone with the hut keeper. The deposit as well as the booking fees will be non-refundable.
ARTICLE 9 :INTERRUPTION OF STAY
Guests are free to terminate their stay at any time.
In the event of termination of the stay by the customer, no refund will be made on the deposit paid by the customer at the time of booking for the remaining accommodation services.
ARTICLE 10 :CANCELLATION OF A RESERVATION BY THE FFCAM
The FFCAM may cancel the booking before the start of the stay:
- If it is prevented from providing the service due to exceptional and insurmountable circumstances, in particular due to snow and weather conditions or safety measures required by the authorities. In this event, the booking fee will also be refunded to the client.
- In the event of manifestly false information provided at the time of booking, particularly concerning the identity of the participants.In this case, the booking fee of €5 and the administration fee of €15 per person and per night are retained by the FFCAM.
The FFCAM shall inform the customer of this cancellation as soon as possible before the date of the stay.
The customer shall not be entitled to claim any additional compensation for any loss suffered.
ARTICLE 11 : ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS SPECIFIC TO THE NORMAL ACCESS ROUTE TO MONT-BLANC (NID D'AIGLE, TÊTE ROUSSE AND GOÛTER)
Customers are informed that, by decision of the Haute-Savoie prefecture, all candidates for the ascent of Mont Blanc must produce proof of a booking at a hut, and that police checks may be carried out on the entire route.
As a result, bookings in one of the huts of the normal route are subject to provision by the customer of the following information: name, first name, date of birth, nationality and capacity (guide, trainee guide, including professional card number, individual). This information is justified by sending a copy of the participants’ identity documents. The following are accepted: identity card, passport, driving licence. Accepted formats are .jpeg. and .pdf. These justifications are automatically deleted from the system no later than two months after they are uploaded.
A reservation voucher, with the customer's name, is generated at the end of the booking process. This voucher is sent by email to the customer. It is also present in the customer's account.
Where direct booking by telephone with the hut hut keeper is possible, the customer will be invited by email to fill in the identification form within a maximum of 48 hours and receive the name-bearing documents by email.
Customers are advised to print their booking confirmation email and the name-bearing voucher which they may be asked to show upon arrival at the hut.
Under no circumstances may the FFCAM be held liable for errors affecting the identity or quality of the customer or for failure to justify the reservation in the event of an inspection.
ARTICLE 12 : ABSENCE OF RIGHT OF WITHDRAWAL
In application of the provisions of articles L221-2, 5° and L221-28, 12° of the French Consumer Code, bookings made on the FFCAM website are not subject to the application of the right of withdrawal provided for in articles L221-18 et seq. of the same Code in respect of distance selling.
Consequently, bookings made on the site are exclusively subject to the cancellation and modification conditions provided for in these General Terms and Conditions of Sale and the customer may not invoke the right of withdrawal.
ARTICLE 13 : RESPONSIBILITY OF THE FFCAM REGARDING THE online BOOKING PROCEDURE
The purpose of the reservation system is to facilitate the establishment and management of reservations for accommodation in the huts of the Mont Blanc Normal Route.
Where food and beverage services are concerned, it is specified that they are carried out by hut keepers solely for their own benefit and at their own risk. The box for booking catering services which appears at the end of the booking form is intended for the information of the hut hut keeper and cannot engage the FFCAM's liability.
Accommodation and food & beverage services are the sole responsibility of the hut keeper of the hut concerned.
The FFCAM is not involved in the management and operating procedures of the hut and has no jurisdiction to intervene in any dispute between a customer and the hut hut keeper.
ARTICLE 14 : CLAIMS
Complaints must be sent by the customer by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt or by email with acknowledgement of receipt within 30 days of the end date of the stay:
At the Head Office of FFCAM, 24 avenue de Laumière 75019 Paris
By email: montblanc.resas@ffcam.fr
Complaints relating to last-minute reservations by telephone with the Goûter and Tête Rousse hutwardens must be sent by the customer by registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt or by email with acknowledgment of receipt within 30 days of the end date of the stay:
At the headquarters of EURL LE GOUTER, 627 route des Jourdils 74130 MONT-SAXONNEX
By email: reclamationVNMB@gmail.com
Complaints relating to last-minute reservations by telephone with the Nid d’Aigle hutwarden must be sent by the customer by registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt or by email with acknowledgment of receipt within 30 days of the end date of the stay:
At the Head Office of FFCAM, 24 avenue de Laumière 75019 Paris
By email: refugeniddaigle@ffcam.fr
ARTICLE 15 : DISPUTES
This contract is subject to French law and its execution shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the French courts.
ARTICLE 16 : PERSONAL DATA
Creation of a customer account on the on-line booking site requires the customer to communicate a certain amount of personal data.
Pursuant to the provisions of the French Data Processing law of 6/01/1978, customers are informed that the information provided through forms on the site is necessary for processing of their reservation and is intended for FFCAM or its partners for management purposes. In particular, it will be communicated to the hut keeper of the hut in which the reservation is made.
These data, which are necessary for processing the order and managing bookings, are secure, kept confidential and, without consent, will not be used for any commercial use by third parties other than the hut hut keeper.
Where the customer agrees to receive offers from the FFCAM, its affiliated clubs or their partners, by ticking the boxes provided for this purpose, the FFCAM may use the personal data provided, either directly or through its contractual partners, for the purposes of providing information on the activities of the federation and the clubs or their partners.
The FFCAM declares it has completed the required formalities with the CNIL (CNIL declaration No. 142 4403 dated 15/04/2010).
Customers have the right to access and rectify data concerning them by applying to the FFCAM, Data Protection Officer, 24 avenue de Laumière, 75019 Paris.
This right may be exercised by email to the following address: vosdonnees@ffcam.fr.
ARTICLE 17 : FFCAM RESERVATION CONTACTS
Customers may contact FFCAM’s customer service department by email.
For professional customers, please use the following email address: montblanc.gestion@ffcam.fr
For non-professional customers, please use the following email address: montblanc.resas@ffcam.fr
For last-minute reservations by telephone: please contact the hutwarden by telephone at the numbers specified in article 2.4.