La Ville > l'Armentier - Hiking

In the 17th century, monks in the parish made a sundial calculated in accordance with the latitude, longitude and orientation of the south wall of St Peter's Church. This became known as "The Watch" by local residents.This is one of the oldest sundials in Oisans, dating from 1677 (slightly later than the 1669 sundial in Venosc). Renovated in 2000, a correction table enables the exact time to be calculated as indicated by the sun at any time of the year.

Although mentioned for the first time in documents in 1058, Saint Peter's Church is almost certainly older. Its very good current condition conceals this fact, especially following recent renovation work to replace the damaged belfry.We know from the archives that La Garde held an important position in the parishes of Oisans in the Middle Ages, as it had a castle mound (typically a mediaeval defence structure), two towers and a stronghold. The position of the church bears witness to its age, since churches were traditionally built on a rocky outcrop or promentory in order to be both seen and heard. Indeed, the sound of ringing bells had to travel far to reach the peasants in the Alpine pastures or other villages. Having survived for centuries, the church has undergone a number of changes, since architectural digs have revealed an earlier building and graves. In April 2013, the wooden belfry supporting the bells was replaced and a bell ringing the note "D" was added! A sundial can be seen on the southern face.

Un compromis idéal à mi-chemin entre le Bourg-d'Oisans et l'Alpe-d'Huez, La Garde-en-Oisans présente une situation, une exposition et un environnement particulièrement privilégiés ...Village historique cité dès le haut Moyen-Âge, La Garde en Oisans constitue aujourd’hui par sa pente et son environnement un site européen exceptionnel pour tous les amoureux de la Petite Reine… La commune compte en effet dix des vingt-et-un virages qui aboutissent à l’Alpe d’Huez. Après quelques kilomètres d’une déclivité sans égal, la dénivelée se fait moins rude dès le clocher de l’église Saint-Pierre, ancien prieuré du Massif des Grandes Rousses. Le charmant hameau de Maronne vous relie directement au domaine skiable de l’Alpe-d’Huez et de l’ensemble du Massif. Insolite : en étageant ses onze hameaux entre 720 et 1 450 mètres d’altitude, la Garde-en-Oisans compte parmi les communes les plus verticales de France !

A magnificent drive on one of the most spectacular roads of Oisans and that’s saying something! An amazing technical feat lead to the Route de la Roche being opened in 1902.The first ever road to get to Auris and its hamlets. The construction of this road was synonymous with progress and the end of isolation. Up until 1895 the only way to get to Auris was on foot or donkey by the "chimney" path. After the village of L’Armentier-Le-Haut, the road opens up to a vast horizon! If you’re scared of heights, turn back now! The road is narrow. It is not advised for motorhomes.