Discover Oisans in VIDEOS and WEBCAMS

Oisans, vast and captivating, is an alpine region that evokes the immensity and grandeur of the mountains. Nestled between Isère and the Hautes-Alpes, it stands out as a true natural setting dominated by the mythical peaks of the Écrins, some of which reach over 4 metres. This territory, sculpted by glaciers and torrents, is an ode to the raw power of nature. Its hilltop villages, steep valleys and dizzying passes embody the very spirit of mountain authenticity.

A welcoming land for sports, hiking and contemplation enthusiasts, Oisans is also a haven of serenity for those in search of escape. Every turn reveals a breathtaking panorama, changing light and landscapes of rare diversity. Far from the crowds, this preserved alpine territory invites you to immerse yourself in its unique universe, both wild and soothing.

You may not know that this region is called Oisans, but you certainly know L'Alpe d'Huez or Les Deux Alpes? These are the two most famous resorts in this region. But visiting Oisans is not just about coming to ski.

Are you looking for the intoxication of the peaks and the sweetness of the authentic? Oisans opens its doors wide to you.

Go from Grenoble to Bourg d'Oisans

The exit from Grenoble is via Vizille, towards the Col du Lautaret and Briançon. In Vizille, you can stop at the castle, home to the very interesting museum of the French Revolution, and stroll through its very large park.

The visitor then continues on his way towards Bourg d'Oisans.

The entrance to this region is not inviting. First we cross narrow gorges in which old power plants abound.

We can well imagine the dangers of this road in the Middle Ages when peddlers or pilgrims set off towards Briançon to join the road towards Rome.

These few kilometers ultimately serve as an airlock between the Grenoble urban basin and the wild nature of Oisans.

This is how we then arrive at a vast plain surrounded by cliffs. The site is occupied by the main village of Oisans: Bourg d'Oisans.

The village of Bourg d'Oisans is not just a simple point of passage to the surrounding mountains: it is a small town rich in history and traditions. Its heritage can be discovered through its Saint-Laurent church, Gothic in which you can discover a magnificent organ. You will also visit the Gagnière castle built on the site of the old dolphin castle. As for the Grand Hotel, which has become a retirement home, it takes up the typical architecture of the large Alpine hotels of the end of the 19th century. Daily life in Bourg d'Oisans is punctuated by its famous weekly market on Saturday morning (in summer there is also a market on Wednesday), an unmissable event where local flavors, crafts and a warm atmosphere mingle. In Bourg d'Oisans, you can also discover a museum on Minerals and Alpine Fauna.

Discovery of Oisans

From the steep plain of Bourg d'Oisans, at an altitude of around 700 metres, several roads radiate towards the Oisans valleys.

You can go back up north towards Savoie via the Glandon and Croix de Fer passes and land in Maurienne. If you follow this path, you will discover the Vernay lake first and then the Grand-Maison lake, two very beautiful artificial bodies of water created by the construction of hydroelectric dams. The mountain pass road is only open in summer. In winter, you can take it, generally up to the resorts of Vaujany or Oz en Oisans, the gateway to the Alpe d'Huez ski area.

The Alpe d'Huez resort is directly accessible from Bourg d'Oisans via a series of hairpin bends well known to amateur cyclists and Tour de France cyclists. To complete the resorts in the ski area, from Bourg d'Oisans you can also reach Auris en Oisans.

Continuing in the direction of the Col du Lautaret, to the south we find the access road to the resort of Les Deux Alpes, then the very wild Lac du Chambon, and finally the glacial landscapes of La Meije are revealed as we approach La Grave. Here we have left Isère and are already in the Hautes Alpes. This does not prevent us from seeking out the most beautiful landscapes near the hamlets above La Grave or on the Emparis plateau. In winter, this is the land of freeriders who surf or slide in the powder on the side of La Meije, one of the most beautiful peaks in the Ecrins massif. In summer, La Grave is the rear base for mountaineers who measure themselves against the difficulties of this high massif.

Let's return to the Bourg d'Oisans plain and explore the roads that head south. First, we come across the Col d'Ornon road, which, going back down, crosses the Valbonnais and joins the road between Grenoble and Gap.

But it is above all the Vénéon valley which will hold our interest.

This valley penetrates the heart of the Ecrins massif, the glacial heart of Oisans. Rough and harsh valleys unfortunately subject to the whims of the watercourses which swell when the snow melts and during storm rains. In 2024, the village of Bérarde, one of the wildest mountain villages in France, was almost wiped off the map. In summer, it was the starting point and rear base for magnificent races to the high peaks of the Ecrins.

Between Bourg d'Oisans and La Bérarde, at the bottom of the Vénéon valley, we pass through two important centres. First, Venosc, a small village that has strengthened its alpine tourism vocation with a direct teleport link to the Deux Alpes resort. Then Saint Christophe en Oisans, which is a village populated by mountaineers who come to prepare for and undertake beautiful mountain races in the heart of the Ecrins, between the Muzelle, the Olan, the Bans, the Barre des Ecrins and the Meije. Many hikers also explore the trails on this side of the Oisans, particularly around the Lac du Lauvitel or the Muzelle. Whitewater sports enthusiasts also set up camp in this region.

The ski resorts of Oisans: Alpe d'Huez and Les Deux Alpes

The Alpe d'Huez area is made up of several resorts, including Auris en Oisans, Oz en Oisans and Vaujany, which are all gateways. Each of them has its own specificity. You can therefore choose your starting point for your day of skiing, depending on the type of village in which you prefer to stay for reasons of budget or accessibility. In any case, you will find yourself at some point on the Alpe d'Huez plateau... the sky will seem very close to you. In front of you, towards the South, very jagged mountain silhouettes draw the horizon, above you, but in fact far enough away so that you do not feel its oppressive presence, the Pic Blanc. From up there start two of the most famous black runs in the French Alps: Tunnel and Sarenne. The first known for its verticality, the second known for its crossing of totally untouched spaces. Good skiers will appreciate it.

In summer, it is not only hikers who enjoy reaching the various viewpoints surrounding the resort, cyclists also appreciate the climb to Alpe d'Huez from Bourg d'Oisans. This is part of the myth of the Tour de France.

Les Deux Alpes is a very sporty resort, both in winter and summer. Rather concreted and with excessive urbanization, it nevertheless allows you to practice a good number of mountain sports in the company of a very young clientele. You will appreciate it if you like a dynamic, musical and sporty atmosphere. The evenings are very lively, we have lost count of the number of bars. Despite this, the natural environment is magnificent, in the heart of Oisans, with a highest point of the ski area which is also the highest point of the ski areas in France: 3560 meters.

A paradise for skiing and mountain sports, in the Oisans resorts, snow and sun accompany you throughout the winter. Spring skiing is also extraordinary on the high slopes of Les Deux Alpes.

Let's end on an important note for visitors who are unfamiliar with the Alpine landscapes and who are wondering whether a stay in these resorts would appeal to them. The resorts in the Huez and Deux Alpes ski areas are very modern and offer a breath of fresh air at altitude, but were not designed to offer a "chalet and forest" experience. It's worth knowing.

When you return to Oisans, you quickly understand that if you don't gain a little altitude you will miss out on its natural beauty.

And indeed, as soon as you go up the sides of the Romanche valley, above Bourg d'Oisans, the landscapes widen, take on depth and you can admire the tangle of snow-capped peaks of the surrounding massifs.

However, in Oisans, with the exception of the glacial landscapes of the Ecrins, the atmosphere is already reminiscent of the Southern Alps. Sun, stone, forests which are rare at altitude, and a harsh and wild nature. The massif of Cases forms the last massif that is still very wild and sparsely inhabited. It appeals to summer or winter hikers who seek the solitude of altitude, preserved by its status as a natural park.

Activities not to be missed at your destination

Visit Bourg d'Oisans, the Museum of Fauna and Minerals, to find out everything about Oisans.
visit Hydrelec museum at the Verney dam near Oz en Oisans to understand everything about hydroelectricity in France.
Set off on a bike conquest of the Alpe d'Huez laces
La climb to Pic Blanc over 3000m by cable car from Alpe d'Huez
Le Mountaineering Museum in Saint Christophe en Oisans, dedicated to the conquest of the summits of the Ecrins.
Admire the dry and rocky landscape that awaits mountaineers at La Bérarde, at the bottom of the Vénéon valley.
Indulge in white water sports (rafting, kayaking, etc.) in Saint Christophe en Oisans.
Du summer skiing? Not very eco-friendly, but for those who like it, Les Deux Alpes offers the possibility on the largest ski area in Europe.
Le Meije cable car, from La Grave. A foray into the world of glaciers.
A hiking around the hamlets and the oratory of Chazelet, facing the Meije, from La Grave
A cultural break at Grenoble et Vizille.

The best webcams in Oisans

(click on the name of the village)

Les Alpes 2 : The Glacier at 3200m. Summer skiing, magnificent sunsets, a must see!
Les Alpes 2: Bird's eye view of the station with this webcam
L'Alpe d'Huez: very beautiful view of the resort plateau from the heights of Auris en Oisans
Alpe d'Huez, Pic Blanc: Do you want a glimpse of the Oisans mountains? This webcam will please you, at 3200m it dominates the Alpe d'Huez and Les 2 Alpes resorts, as well as all the Oisans massifs with a beautiful view of the Meije.
Villar d'Arene: the landscape of the upper Romanche valley on the Lautaret road, in the heart of the Ecrins massif, between Oisans and Briançonnais.
La Berarde: the landscapes of the upper Vénéon valley