The 17 things to do in the Hautes-Alpes

Visit the Hautes-Alpes: what are the best things to do and see in this altitude area where the mountain is queen?

This department was built from all rooms on a part of the former province of Dauphiné. He is one of the most elevated in France and his prefecture is Gap. Several activities offer you to visit the Hautes-Alpes. Unusually industrialized and sparsely populated, it is obviously the tourism that makes this wild territory live up to its mountain specificity. We come to ski in Serre Chevalier, Puy-Saint-Vincent, Vars-Risoul, Orcières or Montgenèvre in winter and enjoy the fresh climate in the summer.

The sumptuous massif of the Ecrins, the Vallouise valley and the Queyras are areas protected by their national park status and attract mountaineers and hikers. The lakes of Lauvitel and Auzon are real havens of peace, while Serre-Ponçon offers many nautical activities. Heritage enthusiasts will appreciate the medieval cities of Mont-Dauphin or Briançon or the cathedral of Embrun.

Are you wondering what to do in the Hautes-Alpes during your stay? Here is a selection of the must-see activities when you visit the Hautes-Alpes and want to enjoy its alpine journey!

1. The Writing Bar

The sumptuous summit of the French Alps peaking at 4,101 m above sea level, is the culminating point of the massif of Les Écrins, the department of Hautes-Alpes and more generally of the Dauphiné. It is the summit of more than 4,000 meters south of the Alps!

Moreover, it was before the annexation of the Savoy in 1860 the culminating point of the whole France. Those who come to visit the Hautes-Alpes make it an end to enjoy hiking, mountaineering and sumptuous landscapes. Go to the preside of Madame Carle to begin the ascent: this clearing is one of the most beautiful in the country!

2. Lake Serre-Ponçon

This artificial lake located at the edge of the departments of Hautes-Alpes and the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence was created in 1959. It is the construction of a dam on the Durance which is responsible for the creation of this lake. In fact, two villages were engulfed under the water: Savines and Ubaye.

Today tourists from all over Europe come to spend good time in the Baie Saint-Michel, the port of Chadenas or on the site of Chanterenne. The lake is surrounded by campsites and can even be cultivated at the Muséoscope of the lake. If you're still looking for what to do in the Hautes-Alpes, don't look anymore!

3. Gorges de la Méouge

Located five kilometres south-west of the pretty village of Laragne, the Gorges de la Méouge is a classified biological reserve. Merveilles des Hautes Alpes, the Gorges de la Méouge are part of the Parc régional des Baronnies provençales.

When you visit the Hautes-Alpes, the site is a must if you are looking to enjoy the freshness of a lively swimming, to practice canyoning or simply to relax on the green banks.

4. The Broadcast Demoiselles

The haired ladies are one of the most remarkable geological formations of the Hautes-Alpes. They are located precisely on the road between Pontis and Le Sauze-du-Lac. These rocky columns of several meters high are overlooked by a colossal rock cap.

These formations of icy origin are particularly impressive and are clearly worth a visit when looking for what to do in the Hautes-Alpes.

5. The Great Tour of the Writers

The Grand Tour des Écrins belts the national park of the same name. Hiking, mountain biking, horse back... There will be some for every taste! GR 54 shares certain portions with the Grand Tour of Writers. Easy and not reserved for experienced athletes, the Grand Tour can be family-run during the summer season.

It features stunning surprises and stunning views of the Southern Alps. If you don't know what to do in the Hautes-Alpes, simply sock your walking boots and forward the ride!

6. La Clarée

La Clarée is one of the most beautiful valleys in Briançonnais. Preserved from the mechanical infrastructure, its slopes offer an authentic alpine experience and are dedicated to heritage lovers. On the menu: preserved hamlets, sundials, picturesque chapels...

Our advice? Go from the splendid village of Névache after visiting the church of St-Marcellin and then follow a hike around the lakes of Laramon and Serpent and then finish off Lake Vert. You can't say that visiting the Hautes-Alpes will have left you indifferent!

7. Ski area of La Forêt Blanche

The ski area of the White Forest extends to the towns of Vars and Risoul. Snowing is therefore there, you can practice a lot of activities and all levels are accepted. Whether you are young or old, beginner or semi-pro, you will be welcome to the ski area of the White Forest!

Rather financially accessible, the packages allow you to devaluate tens of kilometres of track by taking advantage of modern and efficient ski lifts.

If you are looking to visit the Hautes-Alpes during the winter season, we recommend you to make a little tour.

8. Queyras Natural Park

The Queyras nature park is full of natural wonders or not! Take Fort Queyras, for example. This ancient castle dates back to the second half of the thirteenth century and was redesigned by Vauban In person. He played the role of the park’s star at the Col d’Izoard, the Agnel Pass or the Guil, sumptuous natural sites.

With its 65,000 hectares, the Queyras Regional Natural Park also houses an important fauna and flora. Here we can greet endemic chamois, marmots and raptors in the South Alps. Our advice? Go and discover it without further delay, of course!

9. The Animal Park of Serre-Ponçon

Another park but not the least: Serre-Ponçon's wildlife park is located near the lake of the same name. Marmots, foxes, goats of the Alps, dogs-loups or raptors will be presented to you by a team of passionate caregivers.

If you are looking for a great activity to do in the high-Alpes with your children, don’t look anymore. Come and share the daily life of these hairy or feathered companions for the greatest happiness of the little ones!

10. La via ferrata Croix De Toulouse

Ideal for beginners, the Via ferrata Croix de Toulouse overlooks the Durance and Guisane valleys. It is technically and physically affordable: even papy and mamy can burst into it in your company!

Ideal for relaxing with your family, via ferrata is a healthy activity that allows you to enjoy the beauty of nature. The site is very close to Briançon: you could link the route with a visit to this capital of the South Alps, what do you think?

11. The Aquaparc Embrun

This time, you forget nature and you go to an infrastructure everything that is less natural. The Embrun Aquaparc is the largest inflatable water park in Serre-Ponçon Lake. Located on the leisure basis of the Embrun water plan and accessible only from six years old, it is obviously with the family that you enjoy the best.

Opened every day of the summer, Aquaparc is the perfect opportunity to see each other... that the water of the lake is pretty good in fact! Comporting toboggans and spectacular attractions, it’s a must when you’re looking to entertain yourself in the highs-Alpes.

12. The Vars pass by bike

The collar of Vars is a must for all amateur cyclists who respect each other. In fact, it is far from being a gift for the calves: the champions of the Tour de France know something! It allows to contemplate fantastic landscapes at the price of many efforts and some cramps.

Let’s reserve this activity to seasoned athletes and warn novices: the Vars Pass is one of the hardest in the Alps. So you're ready to rub it when you get to visit the Hautes-Alpes?

13. Parc naturel régional des Baronnies provençales

What to do in the Hautes-Alpes when you love nature? Less mountainous, the south-west part of the department makes the rocky valleys of the Provençal Baronnies. Here you can admire the famous castle of Cornillon-sur-l’Oule, the old village of Arzeliers and the castle of Béconne at the Roche-Saint-Secret-Béconne.

The church of Saint-Cyrice in Étoile-Saint-Cyrice or the castle of La Roche-sur-le-Buis are also immanquable tourists of the area. Ideal to travel by car or motorcycle, the winding roads of Baronnies are among the most beautiful roads in southern France.

14. Grande Tête de l’Obiou

Climb lovers, this is who should delight you! The Grande Tête de l’Obiou is between Grenoble and Gap and peaks at 2,789 meters. This is the culminating point of the Devoluy massif. You can reach the summit without specific equipment by following a very curved route during the summer season.

The normal track runs along the south side from the parking lot of the Baumes hut. We borrow the pass of the Faisses, the pass of the Obiou, then we reach the summit at the price of some efforts. Ideal for learning about the joys of mountaineering smoothly, right?

15. Briançon

Briançon is considered the highest city in France with its 1,326 meters above sea level. This city has always been of significant historical significance in the region. You can admire beautiful picturesque little streets and discover remarkable historical monuments. Here are the Fort des Salettes or the Fort des Têtes, which dominates the city from the top of its 1,440 m altitude.

Designed by Vauban, its construction began in 1721. The fort is listed as Historical Monuments and the facades and roofs are classified. Ultimately, the book was listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

16. Mont-Dauphin

The Hautes-Alpes have decidedly inspired Vauban: Mont-Dauphin is a member of the Network of major sites of this mythical architect. The strong square dates from the end of the reign of the great Louis XIV and constitutes a major tourist site.

The commune of Mont-Dauphin also features exceptional sites such as the chapel of Saint-Guillaume and the church of Saint-Louis. These monuments will charm heritage lovers who come to visit the Hautes-Alpes.

17. Serre-Chevalier

Serre-Chevalier is the largest ski resort in the South Alps. There is an alpine ski on track or off track from December to April. The station offers numerous side activities, a disappointed rental offer, top level ski lifts and numerous competitions.

Serre-Chevalier is a must for all ski lovers coming from the South of France. Would you like to join them during the winter season?

How to get to the Hautes-Alpes?

The easiest way to get to the Hautes-Alpes via the air is to land at Lyon-Saint-Exupéry International Airport or Marignane International Airport. Moreover, our partner Skyscanner will allow you to get there by finding a flight at the best price. Trains can also lead you to the most important cities of this department yet enclaved.

By the road, follow your starting city the highway A51 which connects Grenoble to Marseille via Gap, Sisteron and Aix-en-Provence . Once on site, given the configuration of this rural department, it is best to rent a vehicle to move without congestion. The road network is rather of good quality and frequently snowed in winter: enjoy it!

Where to stay in the Hautes-Alpes?

When we look for what to do in the Hautes-Alpes, we also have to look for accommodation. On site you will find several types of accommodation to choose according to your wishes, and your budget. Briançon , very touristic city, houses several renowned hotel establishments.

Attention: rates are reasonable but increase during the winter!

Our advice: appointment directly on a hotel comparison . The department has a very interesting rental offer in pretty villages. Serres, Chorges and Orpierre can, for example, act as a base for visiting the department. Take a look at them! This will allow you to benefit from far more affordable rates and more typical accommodation.