Chalet du Plain du Canon

The Chalet du Plain du Canon is a small, simple chalet run by the French Alpine Club FFCAM above Saint-Maurice-sur-Moselle in the Vosges department. It is located at an altitude of around 819 m on the north-western slope of the Ballon d'Alsace, on the edge of a clearing in the middle of the state forest, and is managed by the Club Alpin Français Nancy. The wooden building dates back to 1938 and is one of the more unusual, very quiet accommodations in the Parc naturel régional des Ballons des Vosges. The chalet is not maintained and is completely self-managed: after booking online, guests receive a code for the key box at the chalet and share the house rules, cleaning and waste disposal. Inside, there are a total of 12 beds available, ten on an open mezzanine and two beds on the entrance level, combined in a single bedroom. There is electricity with sockets, a wood-burning stove for heating, a simple kitchen with crockery, cookware, fridge, oven and microwave as well as dry toilets. There is a well in front of the house; the water is not controlled and should be treated accordingly. Blankets are provided, a sleeping bag is obligatory, pets are not allowed. Catering is not offered, the chalet is expressly designed as a self-catering chalet, shopping is done in the village of Saint-Maurice-sur-Moselle. Thanks to its location close to the road to the Ballon d'Alsace, access is easy: From Saint-Maurice-sur-Moselle, follow the D465 towards Ballon d'Alsace to around kilometer 4 and turn off at the access road signposted "sauf CAF et ONF"; there is a small parking lot around 50 m from the house, from where it is only a few minutes' walk. In winter, the chalet is a good base for tours in the Ballon d'Alsace ski area and snowshoe hikes; in the snow-free season, the GR7, GR 533 and the GR5 pass close by; a signposted mountain bike trail also runs past the chalet, and the via ferrata of Bussang is easily accessible. The chalet is used by training groups and families looking for simple accommodation in peaceful surroundings. As with all activities in the mountains, current conditions, any trail or road closures and the weather forecast should always be checked before arrival.