Hautes Alpes, the mountains in their wild state

The High mountains, a department nestled in the heart of the French Alps, offers a diversity of breathtaking landscapes, ranging from snow-capped peaks to lush green valleys. This territory attracts nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts, thanks to its preserved natural parks, renowned ski resorts and picturesque villages. Rich in cultural and historical heritage, the Hautes-Alpes invite you to discover emblematic sites such as the citadel of Briançon, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, or the lake of Serre-Ponçon, a true inland sea ideal for water activities. Whether for a sporting getaway, a cultural immersion or a relaxing stay, the Hautes-Alpes promise an unforgettable experience in the heart of authentic and unspoiled nature.

From La Grave to Serre Chevalier: a magnificent itinerary in the Hautes Alpes at the foot of the Ecrins

Severe, a village listed among the "Most Beautiful Villages of France", is a true haven of peace for mountain lovers. Nestled at an altitude of 1 meters, this hamlet retains an authentic atmosphere thanks to its stone houses, its cobbled streets and its Romanesque church of Saint-André. A visit to the hamlet of Chazelet located at altitude on the way to Emparis plateau reinforces this feeling of authenticity and pause in time. But what makes La Grave famous above all is its position at the foot of the Meije massif.

The Meije massif, nicknamed the "Queen Meije", is one of the most emblematic peaks in the Alps, culminating at 3 metres. Its glaciers and vertiginous ridges attract mountaineers looking for technical challenges and off-piste skiers from all over the world. Routes such as the "Vallée Blanche de la Meije" or the descent via the Girose glacier are unforgettable experiences.

The Glaciers de la Meije cable car, a true technical feat, provides rapid access to the heights of the mountain. At an altitude of over 3 metres, the panoramic terraces offer spectacular views of the glaciers, the surrounding peaks and, on a clear day, as far as Mont Blanc. In summer, this cable car becomes the starting point for many high-altitude hikes, allowing you to explore glacial landscapes and discover unique alpine flora and fauna.

Leaving La Grave on the D1091, the road winds through breathtaking landscapes towards the Lautaret pass. At an altitude of 2 metres, this pass is a natural gateway between Oisans and the Guisane Valley. It is renowned for its panoramic views of the Écrins massif and for its alpine garden, where more than 058 species of alpine plants are carefully preserved. A break at the pass is ideal for admiring these botanical wonders and contemplating the view before continuing towards Serre Chevalier.

Coming down from the pass, we enter the Guisane valley, which extends from Briançon to Monêtier-les-Bains, the heart of the famous resort of Serre Chevalier. With over 250 kilometres of ski slopes, Serre Chevalier is one of the largest ski areas in Europe. Ski enthusiasts will find a variety of routes suited to all levels, from larch forests to high-altitude areas offering quality snow.

Besides skiing, Serre Chevalier offers a range of activities: paragliding, snowmobiling, ice climbing, and even outdoor Nordic baths for a relaxing experience in the heart of winter. Les Grands Bains du Monetier, with their naturally warm thermal waters, invite you to relax after a day on the slopes.

In summer, the Guisane Valley becomes a true paradise for hikers and mountain bikers. Marked trails, such as the Cristol Lakes circuit or the one leading to the Granon pass, reveal spectacular landscapes on the surrounding peaks. Cyclists, for their part, appreciate the legendary climbs of the Tour de France, in particular the nearby Galibier pass.

Le village of Monêtier-les-Bains, with its mountain atmosphere and rich heritage, is also worth a visit. Its ancient churches, traditional chalets and local markets reflect the authenticity of this unspoilt valley.

The road from La Grave to Serre Chevalier is much more than just a journey: it is an immersion in magnificent alpine landscapes and an encounter with mountain history and culture. This route remains an unforgettable experience in the Hautes-Alpes.

The High Valleys around Briançon

Briançon, perched at an altitude of 1 metres, is the highest city in France. Its status as a strategic crossroads between France and Italy has shaped its history and architecture. The fortifications designed by Vauban in the 326th century, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, illustrate the ingenuity of military architecture adapted to the mountainous terrain. Among these works, the Asfeld Bridge, an impressive arch spanning the Durance, bears witness to the audacity of the engineers of the time.

The Vauban city, the historic heart of Briançon, seduces with its narrow streets, colorful houses and old fountains. Sundials adorn many facades, recalling the importance of sunshine in this alpine region. Churches, such as the Notre-Dame-et-Saint-Nicolas collegiate church, reflect mountain baroque art. The ramparts offer panoramic walks with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.

The surrounding valleys of Clarée, Guisane and Durance, which make up the region of Brianconnais are havens of unspoiled nature. The Clarée Valley, classified as a natural site, is renowned for its idyllic landscapes, its high-altitude lakes and its hiking trails accessible to all levels. In winter, it becomes a privileged terrain for Nordic ski touring, offering varied routes in the heart of snowy landscapes.

Nevache, a charming village in the Clarée Valley, seduces with its traditional architecture with its stone houses and slate roofs. Labeled "Station Village des Alpes du Sud", Névache is made up of several hamlets, each with its own character. The village is animated all year round by traditions and events, such as the transhumance in June and the village festival in August, offering visitors an authentic immersion in local life.

Montgenevre, located on the Italian border, is one of the oldest French ski resorts. With its wooden chalets and warm atmosphere, it offers an ideal setting for winter sports and summer activities. The ski area, connected to the Italian Milky Way, offers a wide variety of slopes suitable for all levels. In summer, hiking trails and golf courses attract outdoor enthusiasts.

The surroundings of Briançon are also rich in climbing sites, with cliffs equipped for all levels, and in Nordic skiing courses, offering kilometers of marked trails in the heart of preserved alpine landscapes. Heritage lovers can visit the many forts and military works scattered throughout the region, witnesses to the strategic history of this border area.

In short, Briançon and its surrounding valleys offer a unique combination of historical heritage, natural riches and outdoor activities, making this region an essential destination for travelers in search of authenticity and a change of scenery.

La Vallouise and Pelvoux, the Hautes Alpes in the heart of the Ecrins

La Vallouise, nestled in the heart of the Écrins National Park, is a preserved valley that seduces with its natural beauty and authenticity. The village of Vallouise, with its stone houses decorated with sundials and its slate roofs, reflects traditional Alpine architecture. The picturesque alleys invite you to stroll, while local artisans perpetuate ancestral know-how, offering visitors a living insight into the cultural heritage of the region.

Dominating the valley, the Pelvoux massif rises to 3 metres, making it one of the most iconic peaks in the French Alps. This massif is a mecca for mountaineering, attracting climbers from all over the world who come to challenge its walls and glaciers. Routes, such as the Pelvoux normal route, offer technical and spectacular climbs, rewarded with breathtaking panoramas of the surrounding peaks.

For hikers, the Vallouise is crossed by the famous GR® 54, also known as the Tour de l'Oisans et des Écrins. Considered one of the most demanding long-distance hiking trails in Europe, it stretches for around 189 kilometres and goes around the Écrins massif in around twelve days. The landscapes are very varied, ranging from green forests to flowering alpine pastures, passing by sparkling glaciers. Hikers cross high passes offering breathtaking views and discover picturesque villages and hamlets that enrich the trekker's experience.

In winter, the valley turns into a paradise for snow sports enthusiasts. The village resort of Pelvoux-Vallouise, located on the edge of the Écrins National Park, is ideal for families and nature lovers. It offers a ski area on a human scale, with slopes suitable for all levels and an optimal snow front for learning to ski. Thrill seekers can indulge in free-riding on secure off-piste routes.

Nearby, the Puy-Saint-Vincent resort also offers a wide range of slopes and winter activities, guaranteeing a memorable experience for all ages. Both resorts, integrated into the Pays des Écrins, benefit from quality snow and generous sunshine, characteristic of the Southern Alps.

La Vallouise is also the starting point for many other mountain activities, such as climbing, paragliding and mountain biking. Local guides offer excursions suitable for beginners and experts alike, allowing everyone to discover the region's natural riches in complete safety. Festivals and cultural events punctuate village life throughout the year, offering visitors a complete immersion in Alpine culture.

Queyras

Le Queyras, a regional natural park nestled in the High mountains, is a region where authenticity and preservation of heritage are at the heart of daily life. Villages such as Saint-Veran and Abriès perfectly illustrate this harmony between man and nature.

Perched at 2 meters above sea level, Saint-Veran is recognized as the highest permanently inhabited commune in Europe. This village, classified among the "Most Beautiful Villages of France", seduces with its traditional houses made of wood and stone, decorated with flowered balconies and sundials, witnesses of ancestral know-how. The "fustes", dwellings made of larch logs, reflect the typical architecture of the QueyrasStrolling through the alleys, visitors discover wooden fountains, communal bread ovens and the richly decorated Saint-Véran church, which tell the centuries-old history of the village.

Located at the confluence of the Guil and Bouchet valleys, Abries is a village that has retained its old-world charm. The houses have wooden facades and slate roofs, characteristic of the local architecture. Sundials, the work of local craftsmen, adorn the walls and remind us of the importance of the sun in this region that benefits from generous sunshine. The inhabitants perpetuate artisanal traditions, including wood carving and the manufacture of wool textiles, offering visitors authentic and quality products.

Le Queyras is a hiker's paradise, offering a multitude of marked trails suitable for all levels. The GR® 58, known as the Tour du Queyras, is an iconic route that allows you to discover the diversity of landscapes, from larch forests to green alpine pastures, passing by high-altitude lakes with crystal-clear waters. The Malrif lakes, located at an altitude of over 2 metres, offer a striking natural spectacle, reflecting the surrounding peaks in their clear waters. Panoramic passes, such as the Col Agnel, the third highest road pass in the Alps, reveal breathtaking views of Mont Viso and the Alpine massifs.

Queyras craftsmen perpetuate know-how passed down from generation to generation. Wood carving is particularly renowned, with the manufacture of finely decorated furniture, wooden toys and utilitarian objects combining aesthetics and functionality. The workshops willingly open their doors to visitors, offering an immersion in local craftsmanship. The production of mountain cheeses, such as Queyras blue or tomme, is also a regional pride. The farms offer tastings, allowing you to savor authentic products made using traditional methods.

Le Queyras is also rich in religious heritage, with many chapels and churches decorated with Baroque altarpieces. Sundials, often accompanied by philosophical or poetic mottos, constitute an original facet of local folk art. Museums and heritage houses, such as the Maison de l'Artisanat in points, allow you to better understand the history and traditions of this mountain region.

In short, Queyras offers an immersive experience in a region where nature and culture intertwine harmoniously, making each visit an enriching discovery.

Guillestrois, crossroads of the Hautes Alpes

Le Guillestrois, located between Queyras and Embrunais, is a transition region offering a diversity of landscapes, between majestic mountains and green valleys.

City Guillestre, perched at an altitude of 1 metres, is the vibrant heart of this region. Its medieval streets, lined with houses with colourful façades, invite you to stroll. The ramparts, vestiges of a defensive past, offer breathtaking views of the surrounding area. The Mont-Dauphin stronghold, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located nearby, bears witness to the strategic importance of the region over the centuries.

The Guil Gorges, sculpted by millennia of erosion, are impressive for their depth and narrowness. This remarkable natural site is popular with whitewater sports enthusiasts. The Guil torrent is particularly suitable for activities such as rafting and kayaking, offering thrilling descents in the heart of wild landscapes. Courses adapted to different levels allow everyone to enjoy the experience in complete safety.

In winter, the resorts of Risoul and Vars, together forming the Forêt Blanche ski area, offer a vast playground for skiers and snowboarders. With over 180 kilometres of varied slopes, the area stretches between 1 and 650 metres above sea level, guaranteeing quality snow. The larch forests, characteristic of the region, add a picturesque touch to the descents. Both resorts also offer après-ski activities, restaurants serving local specialities and events throughout the season, ensuring a friendly atmosphere for visitors.

Le Guillestrois is also an ideal starting point for exploring the surrounding natural parks, such as the Queyras Regional Natural Park and the Écrins National Park. The hiking trails, accessible in summer, reveal breathtaking panoramas of Alpine peaks, high-altitude lakes and Alpine flora. The authentic villages, with their local markets, allow you to discover regional crafts and gastronomy, offering a complete immersion in Alpine culture.

The Gap region: Champsaur, Valgaudémar and Dévoluy

The surroundings of Gap, prefecture of the Hautes-Alpes, reveal a mosaic of valleys, each offering unique landscapes and experiences.

Le Champsaur is characterized by its green groves, its rustic hedges and its hilltop villages which bear witness to a rich agricultural activity. The trails wind through meadows and forests, offering hikes accessible to families. Local culinary specialties, such as tourtons—fried doughnuts with thin dough stuffed with mashed potatoes, fresh tomme and sometimes onions—and donkey ears—wild spinach and dough gratin—will delight gourmets.

Le Valgaudemar, a narrower and higher valley, offers spectacular landscapes with peaks of around 3 metres, such as Olan and Gioberney. The waterfall route allows you to admire impressive waterfalls, especially when the snow melts, offering a striking natural spectacle. Hiking enthusiasts will find trails leading to breathtaking panoramas, while mountaineers can venture on more technical routes.

Le Devoluy, with its unique karst landscapes, is an ideal playground for skiing and hiking enthusiasts. The resorts of Superdévoluy and La Joue du Loup offer a varied ski area, suitable for all levels, with modern infrastructure and a friendly atmosphere. In summer, the hiking trails allow you to discover remarkable geological formations, high plateaus and rich alpine flora. Outdoor activities, such as climbing, mountain biking and paragliding, are also popular.

These valleys, each with its distinct character, contribute to the richness and diversity of the surroundings of Gap, offering visitors a multitude of activities and discoveries in all seasons.

Embrun and the Serre-Ponçon lake

Embrun, nicknamed the “Nice of the Alps” because of its sunny and temperate climate, is a charming town perched on an 80-metre pudding rock overlooking the Durance.

This ancient archiepiscopal city seduces with its rich architectural heritage and its exceptional natural setting. The historic center ofEmbrun is a veritable open-air history book. Among the emblematic buildings, the Notre-Dame du Réal cathedral, dating from the 12th century, impresses with its Romanesque architecture and sculpted details. The Maison des Chanonges, a medieval building from the 13th century, bears witness to the historical importance of the city. The cobbled streets, corbelled houses and old fountains invite you to stroll and discover.

Overlooking the Durance, Embrun offers spectacular panoramas of the surrounding mountains and the lake of Serre-Ponçon, one of the largest artificial lakes in Europe. There are many outdoor activities available: hiking, water sports, paragliding, offering visitors a wide range of leisure activities in all seasons.

Embrun is also renowned for its art of living and the charm of its old town.

In short, Embrun harmoniously combines historical heritage, pleasant climate and exceptional natural environment, making this city a popular destination for lovers of nature and history.

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