Discover Val-des-pres, a Hidden Gem in Hautes-Alpes Provence

This trail around Val-des-Prés takes you in 10 steps to discover the people and landscapes, their mysteries, their stories and their lives from yesterday and today. The trail starts at the Draye parking and takes you around Val-des-Prés and the rosier. The booklet, on sale at the Val-des-Prés tourism service, will reveal the mysteries of the landscapes that surround you during these 10 steps.

Since 2021, a municipal bylaw has prohibited access to the grotte des 50 ânes. The path is very delicate and dangerous.

From the top of the Chalmettes telemix, you will descend quietly to the Anges lake before reaching the banks of the Durance. From the lake you can enjoy a beautiful view of Mont Chaberton and learn about the rocks around you thanks to the geological panels at the entrance to the lake. Highest point: 2200 m (Top of the Chalmettes telemix) Type of route: loop Distance: 4 km Duration: 1h 20 (+ 10 min TMX) Ascent +: 40 m Ascent -: 420 m ITINERARY 1. Take the Chalmettes telemix 2. On arrival, turn right and follow the track down to the Gondrans plain. 3. At the first junction, turn left towards the chalet and lake and climb the small slope to reach the lake. Walk halfway around it to the geodrome 4. From the geodrome, turn right onto a path that leads down towards Montgenèvre. At the crossroads turn left to reach the Gondrans chairlift 5. Pass the chairlift and take the La Durance mountain bike trail down to your right. The track is wide, but stay well to the edge of the track to avoid any accident with a cyclist. A path goes off to the right and crosses the Durance stream which is still just a stream, so don't take it. Go straight on. 6. You will cross the Durance without realising it (it goes underground). At the next crossroads, leave the mountain bike track and turn left onto the path (towards the Durance bridge). Go along the Durance river 7. You reach a track, turn right and walk up the track to the nets (staying on the edges as you share the track with mountain bikers). 8. At the nets, turn left through the special pedestrian crossing to find yourself on the other side of the nets. Follow the path on your left which descends quietly to the Durance bridge (do not enter the golf course which is on your right). From the bridge, walk back down to the Chalmettes car park.

First in the undergrowth, you join a forest track to reach the Gondrans meadows and the Lac des Anges. The return journey is along a pleasant path alongside the Durance. Highest point: 2161 m (Lac des Anges) Type of route: loop Distance: 6.5 km Duration: 2.5 hours Ascent +: 360 m Ascent -: 360 m ITINERARY 1. Meet in front of the Durancia centre. Take the path that runs alongside the building on the left (towards Espace multi-activité) 2. At the Durance bridge, continue straight ahead (towards Lac des Anges) along the tennis courts. At the white sign Source de la Durance, turn right. Follow the path and continue until you reach a small bridge. Go straight on until you reach a track 3. Follow the track on the right (ETM 3 markings) to the Gondrans chairlift. 4. Go past the chairlift and continue up the piste (ETM 4 markings) 5. At the yellow sign indicating Le Chenaillet, turn right. Walk a few metres on the track, then leave it to follow a path on your left that slowly diverges from it and leads to the entrance of the lake and the geodrome. 6. For the return journey, take the same route to the foot of the Gondrans chairlift. Pass the chairlift and take the La Durance mountain bike track which goes down on your right (on the edge of the track, priority to mountain bikers). 7. At the next crossing, leave the MTB track and turn left onto the path (towards the Durance bridge). Walk along the Durance. 8. You reach a track, turn right and go up the track to the nets. 9. At the nets, turn left through the special pedestrian crossing. On the other side of the nets, follow the path on your left which descends quietly to the Durancia.

Route 1 - The Sestrières Wood fitness trail From the Espace Prarial, start on the French side towards the tree climbing area and cross a magnificent larch forest for 3 km (practically flat, even flat going down) to reach the belvedere and a breathtaking view of the upper Durance valley and the Briançonnais forts. The return journey will be via a small path (the health trail) still in the woods. Ideal course for the resumption of running, in the morning as well as in the afternoon, as it is very shaded. Snow Trail course laid out in the winter in the winter Multi-Activity Zone and used by the Sky Race Solidaire in the summer. Highest point: 2059 m (Belvedere) Type of route: loop Distance: 6 km Duration: 45 min to 1h30 Height gain: 125 m Height loss: 125 m Good advice and equipment You will evolve under your own responsibility in the mountains, even in the high mountains, with the ascent of Chaberton 3131 m for the most daring. The Espace Trail 3000 is certainly one of the highest trail areas in France. Inform yourself about the weather forecast before setting off on the red and black courses of the ETM. Your equipment must be adapted: lighter on the green and blue courses, but still with a 50 cl maximum water bottle and a windbreaker. It will be much more important on the red and black courses where mountain equipment is required. In a small rucksack adapted to running you will find energy gels, a water reserve of at least one litre (no water point or very little on the high altitude routes), a waterproof jacket with hood, a survival blanket, a whistle, an IGN 3536R map which covers all the routes, some compeed and thoughts, a telephone and a headlamp which can be useful at the end of summer.

An ideal hike for families A downhill hike from the top of the Chalvet cable car to a magnificent viewpoint over the Clarée valley. Don't miss the military pill at the top of the Rocher diseur, a witness to the Second World War. Highest point: 2135 m (Arrival of the Chalvet gondola) Type of route: loop Distance: 5 km Duration: 1 h 30 (+ 10 min ascent in the gondola) Up: 85 m Down: 370 m ITINERARY 1. Take the Chalvet cable car (behind the Tourist Office) 2. On arrival, turn left towards the Terrasses restaurant 3. Continue straight ahead on the track towards Rocher diseur. 4. At Sous le rocher diseur, go straight up the rocky spur towards Rocher diseur. At the top, you can admire a large part of the Clarée valley and in the distance Briançon and its forts. On your right, you will find a military pill 5. Go back the way you came, first under the "rocher diseur", then straight ahead on the track until you come to a crossroads with a path going down on your right, heading back to Montgenèvre. 6. Take the path, which takes you back to the heights of the village. Go down the rue de la Combe. Turn left onto Rue du Rocher de Dix Heures, then left again onto Rue du Praya. At the bottom of Rue du Praya, turn left into Rue de l'Eglise to return to the Tourist Office.

On the outskirts of La Vachette, in the direction of Névache, discover Flower Camping Le Montana ***: a family campsite on a human scale, equipped with cottages, tents, pods, geodesic domes and a heated swimming pool.

An ideal hike for families A downhill hike from the top of the Chalvet cable car to a magnificent viewpoint over the Clarée valley. Don't miss the military pill at the top of the Rocher diseur, a witness to the Second World War. Highest point: 2135 m (Arrival of the Chalvet gondola) Type of route: loop Distance: 5 km Duration: 1 h 30 (+ 10 min ascent in the gondola) Up: 85 m Down: 370 m ITINERARY 1. Take the Chalvet cable car (behind the Tourist Office) 2. On arrival, turn left towards the Terrasses restaurant 3. Continue straight ahead on the track towards Rocher diseur. 4. At Sous le rocher diseur, go straight up the rocky spur towards Rocher diseur. At the top, you can admire a large part of the Clarée valley and in the distance Briançon and its forts. On your right, you will find a military pill 5. Go back the way you came, first under the "rocher diseur", then straight ahead on the track until you come to a crossroads with a path going down on your right, heading back to Montgenèvre. 6. Take the path, which takes you back to the heights of the village. Go down the rue de la Combe. Turn left onto Rue du Rocher de Dix Heures, then left again onto Rue du Praya. At the bottom of Rue du Praya, turn left into Rue de l'Eglise to return to the Tourist Office.

In the heart of the Haute Vallée de la Clarée, the “Marins des Cimes” event takes offshore racing sailors on a journey between the sea and the mountains! Vendée Globe, Transat J. Vabre, Mini... Majestic! The event was born from a meeting with two sailors at the Buffère refuge. The complementarity and similarity of the two offshore and mountain racing activities becomes obvious. This event aims to promote the promotion of ski touring, the meeting between Sailors and Mountaineers through the commitment of exceptional women on a human, environmental and sporting level... And finally, to contribute to the discovery of our alpins territories. The navigators, accompanied by their High Mountain guide, will go from refuge to refuge! Evening in Buffère with video projector to discover their atypical life on their boat...

In the valley of Buffère at 2076 m, open summer / winter, for a gourmet stopover, your hiker step or the base camp of your nature stay This former alpine chalet comfortably rehabilitated by Nadette and Claude Devalle is accessible on foot during Summer in 45 minutes from the nearest parking place and during Winter on skis or snowshoes in 2 hours from the village of Névache, Ville-Haute . It is equipped with 30 places in rooms from 2 to 6 people, bathrooms with hot showers, a library lounge area. Its cuisine is healthy and refined (fruits, vegetables, eggs, bread ... organic origin and / or from our Hautes Alpes county). In summer the very comfortable Chalet Marguianne offers 12 additional places with 5 rooms from 1 to 4 people. Nadette, Claude and their team welcome you in these chalets that will surprise you with the will to stay or come back. GTA - FFRP - Via Alpina

Small cozy alpine hut, nestled at an altitude of 2223 m in the gentle Clarée valley. It is located on a mound between larches, high steep walls and beautiful valleys with rounded shapes. Originality of the refuge: near the refuge, you can spend a night in a traditional Mongolian house: a yurt of about 20 square meters, provided with 5 beds with real duvets. Meals and toilets at the refuge. Atmosphere and comfort guaranteed! All the contrasting atmosphere of this beautiful Cerces massif is there.

Located in the magnificent Clarée valley in the Hautes-Alpes, the completely rebuilt Laval refuge offers a warm and comfortable welcome.

Ski instructors and mountain guides Anne & Boris welcome you at the bottom of the Clarée valley. The refuge is ideally located in an area rich in lakes, at the start of a wide variety of itineraries. Friendly and comfortable: The atmosphere is warm and friendly. The refuge team welcomes you for a night, a stay, a meal or a snack. Warm up by the stove after your mountain outing and enjoy a moment of sharing or relaxation in the new lounge. A library and board games await you. In the bright and spacious dining room, you can enjoy a beautiful view of the valley floor. Each dormitory is equipped with cosy comforters, so a fitted sheet is all you need. There are also hot showers and a place to dry your shoes. The refuge belongs to the FFCAM. We can accommodate 64 people in dormitories of 4, 6 and 8 places. Whenever possible, we reserve a dormitory for the same group. The dining room and 4 dormitories for 32 people (with blankets) are at your disposal when you're not on guard duty. Please leave the refuge clean and pay for your night in the box inside the refuge. To facilitate our organization and the smooth running of the refuge, we ask you to book your half-board on line or by telephone during the seasons on +33 (0)4 92 21 36 01. Cuisine: We offer simple, healthy, home-cooked cuisine! Most of the products we use are organic or locally grown. If you wish, we can prepare snacks for your hikes the following day. Just let us know when you arrive at the refuge. All day long, we serve à la carte meals and offer the possibility of eating on the terrace in the sun or inside by the stove. In the evening, a communal meal is served in the dining room. For those with special dietary requirements, we'll do our best to accommodate. NEW YEAR'S EVE Come and enjoy the early winter powder at the refuge des Drayères. Whether you're ski touring or snowshoeing, it's ideally situated at the center of many easy itineraries. In a magical setting, you'll find the refuge in its coat of snow. We offer a convivial mountain meal, homemade mulled wine and a festive aperitif... Simplicity and sharing after a beautiful day in the mountains are part of the magic of life in a refuge during the winter season. Try the New Year's Eve experience at the Drayères refuge! For bookings, ensure your bed on our online reservation, deposit required: 10€ per person per night. For further information, please contact us by telephone on 06.45.74.07.93 Please do not hesitate to contact us for further information: Mail : refugedesdrayeres@gmail.com Phone : 04.92.21.36.01 Facebook : Gardien Refuge des Drayères

This wild route between lakes and scree leads to a summit where the mineral landscape becomes lunar and the exceptional panorama: Grandes Jorasses, Matterhorn, Great Casse ... One night at the shelter of Thabor allows to make the route in two stages. At the crossroads of Savoy, Hautes-Alpes and Italy, Mont-Thabor and its 3178m represents an exceptional belvedere over the entire Alpine massif. This wild route between lakes and scree leads to a summit where the mineral landscape becomes lunar and the panorama exceptional: Grandes Jorasses, Matterhorn, Grande Casse ... One night at the Thabor refuge allows you to make the route in two stages.

Sylvie and Sebastian welcome you to their chalet refuge of Chamoissiere; old sheepfold fully restored with ecological and traditional materials ; located in the heart of the Alpine of Villar d'Arene, in a beautiful setting, away from the hustle and bustle. Many walks are easy to find from the refuge, here are some examples: Sources of the Romanche Lake Star Arsine Lake

The Val-des-Prés Town Hall sundial was created in 2005 by Evelyne and Nobert PEYROT, a couple of sundial makers from Plampinet. With its neoclassical decor, this sundial features the motto of the Republic "Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité" and the village coat of arms.

The small chapel of the village was erected in a parish church in 1460. Since then, it has continued to grow and beautify itself. Restorated at the end of Summer 2012, it has regained all her trappings to seduce you! The Church of St. Claude is from the XVI and XVII centuries. It has a simple appearance, has many stucco decorations, beautiful paintings and frescoes inside. Having taken model on the cathedral of Embrun, which radiates throughout the region at this time, it has a bell tower of Romano-Lombard style.

Here's a lovely modern sundial made in 1998. It is signed by Evelyne and Norbert Peyrot, the valley's sundial makers, and by children from the school.

The Zarbula sundial is one of the most beautiful solar dials in the Clarée valley. Never restored, it presents itself as the dialer Giovanni Franseco Zarbula painted it in 1843. This sundial is a good example of the Zarbula style. The trompe-l'oeil, the faux marble, the exotic birds are features elements of this Piedmontese dialer having made several solar dials in the Briançonnais.

This dial had a hectic history. Originally painted by Zarbula and repainted in 1954, we see only the original dial, the exotic bird. This dial also has an originality: its motto in French and in three. On the sundial is written: "La vita es gaïro, Ùn ris, Ùn breath, Ùn weeping". "Life is a little thing, a laugh, a breath, a tear" according to a verse by Frédéric Mistral. The original dial (1852) was repainted in ochre in 1954, in particular erasing the original motto: "O Sun, thou appear, thou smile, thou console the earth." It was restored in 1994 by Évelyne and Norbert Peyrot, but without being able to revert to the changes of 1954. No signature is visible, but the exotic bird, characteristic of Zarbula, makes it attribute to it. This Piedmontese artist, enjoying a solid reputation to the point of being copied, has, from one valley to the other, expressed his talent to a clientele of owners "to the fact of things". Source : La Vachette in Val des Prés /apartment to rent in the restored farmhouse, on which is painted this sundial.

Notre-Dame de l'Annonciation is the second parish church of Val-des-Prés built when La Vachette was an independent parish. It is a small church of Roman-Lombard sytle with Baroque decorations. This17th century church has rich paintings and statues.

Small private chapel restored and repainted in 1996. The chapel reveals an engraved stone dating from 1780. The St Jacques shell painted above the entrance pays tribute to St Jacques for his journey to Compostela (Montgenèvre being on the route of his pilgrimage). The cross of the chapel was restored in 2006.

The Obelisk was erected to the glory of Napoleon and inaugurated on 12 April 1804 It is located at the exit of the village of Montgenèvre and its history is linked to the construction of the pass road. The obelisk was blown up in 1835 by the Piedmontese and rebuilt by the architect Joseph Andreoli under King Louis Philippe. The stones used were cast and set with lime mortar and cement and bound together with iron spikes The original marble commemorative plaques, also destroyed, were replaced by bronze plaques, engraved in four languages: French, Italian, Spanish and Latin, which read the tribute paid to Napoleon Bonaparte and Prefect Ladoucette

It's brand new and it's in Plampinet! Come and have a good time in our open kitchen, around the fireplace, and enjoy our home cooking, charcuterie and home-cured meats from "Le Petit Randonneur" de Plampinet...

Bistrot, restaurant, tearoom on the banks of the Clarée: This bistrot de Pays lives up to its name. A warm welcome all year round, and family-style, gourmet, authentic cuisine with Mediterranean flavors. All homemade with local produce.

We offer our specialties: leg of lamb cooked in the fireplace, tourtons, blueberry pies and other regional preparations and alpine specialties We also welcome you for banquets, marriages, evenings with friends... Colouring offered to the children.

Restaurant of typical high mountain pasture in 1860m of height. Local and/or organic products. Access the winter in snowshoes or with skis, the summer by car, on foot, by bicycle... Open every lunchtime and in the evening on reservation. Cheese fondue house to be reserved.

The not to be missed rest area, in front of the Grand Galibier, after a beautiful walk around the 4 lakes...

The not to be missed rest area, in front of the Grand Galibier, after a beautiful walk around the 4 lakes...

This stone chalet with fireplace, terrace and large panoramic room overlooking the valley and peaks offers traditional or fast cuisine. Easy gondola access for pedestrians. Possibility of coming by car or by bike. Departure point for several hikes at over 2000m altitude.

In a stone and wood chalet, the Grizzli restaurant offers you a fast food service. In Summer, enjoy the sun on a large terrace with a view of the mountains while your children have fun on the trampoline and swings and play ping-pong and table soccer.

A family valley steeped in history to share, home cooking with local products, this is our refuge in Bramanette! We will have the pleasure of welcoming you to our family valley, of which we can tell you the history of the place. You will be able to taste our home cooking made with local products and taste our blueberry and walnut tarts which make the reputation of our refuge. Dogs are accepted at the refuge on a leash and picnics are authorized on the tables outside the refuge.

La Guinguette de l'Esseillon, in the heart of the Esseillon forts, close to the via ferrata, the waterfall St Benoit and the doors of the Vanoise National Park, welcomes you to quench your thirst and restore yourself. Snacks : pancakes, Savoyard plates, sweet crepes, ice creams and various drinks, local beers, home made syrup and hot drinks. Books, various magazines and outdoor games for children available.

Opening 15/05/2020 > 13/09/2020 On the banks of the river, Huttopia La Clarée campsite offers pure tranquillity in the heart of an unspoilt natural environment. Head to the Hautes-Alpes for a truly successful holiday! On site, heated swimming pool, food and drink, and magnificient pitches in the heart of the forest.

On the outskirts of La Vachette, in the direction of Névache, discover Flower Camping Le Montana ***: a family campsite on a human scale, equipped with cottages, tents, pods, geodesic domes and a heated swimming pool.

In the valley of Buffère at 2076 m, open summer / winter, for a gourmet stopover, your hiker step or the base camp of your nature stay This former alpine chalet comfortably rehabilitated by Nadette and Claude Devalle is accessible on foot during Summer in 45 minutes from the nearest parking place and during Winter on skis or snowshoes in 2 hours from the village of Névache, Ville-Haute . It is equipped with 30 places in rooms from 2 to 6 people, bathrooms with hot showers, a library lounge area. Its cuisine is healthy and refined (fruits, vegetables, eggs, bread ... organic origin and / or from our Hautes Alpes county). In summer the very comfortable Chalet Marguianne offers 12 additional places with 5 rooms from 1 to 4 people. Nadette, Claude and their team welcome you in these chalets that will surprise you with the will to stay or come back. GTA - FFRP - Via Alpina

Small cozy alpine hut, nestled at an altitude of 2223 m in the gentle Clarée valley. It is located on a mound between larches, high steep walls and beautiful valleys with rounded shapes. Originality of the refuge: near the refuge, you can spend a night in a traditional Mongolian house: a yurt of about 20 square meters, provided with 5 beds with real duvets. Meals and toilets at the refuge. Atmosphere and comfort guaranteed! All the contrasting atmosphere of this beautiful Cerces massif is there.

The Napoléon hut on the Col de l'Izoard welcomes you in summer for a break on the Route des Grandes Alpes, and in winter for an unforgettable toboggan ride!

Located in the magnificent Clarée valley in the Hautes-Alpes, the completely rebuilt Laval refuge offers a warm and comfortable welcome.

13/12/2019 > 22/03/2020 19/12/2020 > 21/03/2021 Looking to rent a wooden chalet in the Hautes-Alpes, in the heart of the Pays des Ecrins, for ski holidays with family or friends? Discover the chalets in Vallouise! 15/05/2020 > 27/09/2020 Camp at 1200m with 360° views of the mountains, in the heart of the traditional village of Vallouise. Enjoy a holiday escape in the Ecrins national park!

Ski instructors and mountain guides Anne & Boris welcome you at the bottom of the Clarée valley. The refuge is ideally located in an area rich in lakes, at the start of a wide variety of itineraries. Friendly and comfortable: The atmosphere is warm and friendly. The refuge team welcomes you for a night, a stay, a meal or a snack. Warm up by the stove after your mountain outing and enjoy a moment of sharing or relaxation in the new lounge. A library and board games await you. In the bright and spacious dining room, you can enjoy a beautiful view of the valley floor. Each dormitory is equipped with cosy comforters, so a fitted sheet is all you need. There are also hot showers and a place to dry your shoes. The refuge belongs to the FFCAM. We can accommodate 64 people in dormitories of 4, 6 and 8 places. Whenever possible, we reserve a dormitory for the same group. The dining room and 4 dormitories for 32 people (with blankets) are at your disposal when you're not on guard duty. Please leave the refuge clean and pay for your night in the box inside the refuge. To facilitate our organization and the smooth running of the refuge, we ask you to book your half-board on line or by telephone during the seasons on +33 (0)4 92 21 36 01. Cuisine: We offer simple, healthy, home-cooked cuisine! Most of the products we use are organic or locally grown. If you wish, we can prepare snacks for your hikes the following day. Just let us know when you arrive at the refuge. All day long, we serve à la carte meals and offer the possibility of eating on the terrace in the sun or inside by the stove. In the evening, a communal meal is served in the dining room. For those with special dietary requirements, we'll do our best to accommodate. NEW YEAR'S EVE Come and enjoy the early winter powder at the refuge des Drayères. Whether you're ski touring or snowshoeing, it's ideally situated at the center of many easy itineraries. In a magical setting, you'll find the refuge in its coat of snow. We offer a convivial mountain meal, homemade mulled wine and a festive aperitif... Simplicity and sharing after a beautiful day in the mountains are part of the magic of life in a refuge during the winter season. Try the New Year's Eve experience at the Drayères refuge! For bookings, ensure your bed on our online reservation, deposit required: 10€ per person per night. For further information, please contact us by telephone on 06.45.74.07.93 Please do not hesitate to contact us for further information: Mail : refugedesdrayeres@gmail.com Phone : 04.92.21.36.01 Facebook : Gardien Refuge des Drayères

This wild route between lakes and scree leads to a summit where the mineral landscape becomes lunar and the exceptional panorama: Grandes Jorasses, Matterhorn, Great Casse ... One night at the shelter of Thabor allows to make the route in two stages. At the crossroads of Savoy, Hautes-Alpes and Italy, Mont-Thabor and its 3178m represents an exceptional belvedere over the entire Alpine massif. This wild route between lakes and scree leads to a summit where the mineral landscape becomes lunar and the panorama exceptional: Grandes Jorasses, Matterhorn, Grande Casse ... One night at the Thabor refuge allows you to make the route in two stages.

Sylvie and Sebastian welcome you to their chalet refuge of Chamoissiere; old sheepfold fully restored with ecological and traditional materials ; located in the heart of the Alpine of Villar d'Arene, in a beautiful setting, away from the hustle and bustle. Many walks are easy to find from the refuge, here are some examples: Sources of the Romanche Lake Star Arsine Lake