Introduction
Located in the southeast of France and part of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Hautes-Alpes is characterised by heavy mountainous terrain and an exceptional history, being one of the 83 original departments established in March 1790 as the French Revolution wrought massive changes.
Named after the famous mountain range, Hautes-Alpes is geographically remarkable (the department actually borders Italy) and filled with natural beauty. Unlike many other French departments, Hautes-Alpes is a sprawling landscape of activity, with a population of around 150,000 strewn across a land area of 5549km². The denizens can be found either in the many mountain villages or the few major cities of Embrun, Gap and Briançon, with the elevation of each settlement ranging from 1000 metres to 4000 metres in the small town of Saint-Véran. Therefore, although not the most densely populated, Hautes-Alpes is arguably one of the most picturesque departments in France, containing 50% of French flora and permeated by the rivers Durance, Drac and Buëch.
These attributes have made Hautes-Alpes an extremely popular holidaying destination and, indeed, the department today is heavily dependent on the skiing and snowboarding trades.
Weather
Due to its positioning between both Provence and Dauphiné, Hautes-Alpes curiously enjoys both a Mediterranean and Alpine climate. As such, the department enjoys sunshine during most of the year, along with intermittent, and typically abundant, downfalls of snow. The city of Gap is typical of the sort of temperatures you can expect in Hautes-Alpes:
Average temperatures in Gap| Period | Celsius | Fahrenheit |
|---|
| January-March | 4 | 39 |
| April-June | 13 | 56 |
| July-September | 20 | 68 |
| October-December | 7 | 45 |
Tourist Attractions, Culture & Family Entertainment
Hautes-Alpes' architecture is by no means the finest in France, but a visit to Embrun will lead you to some fine monuments. The most notable of these is the 12th century Cathedral Notre-Dame-du-Réal, but the nearby 13th century 'Tour Brune' and Maison de Chanonges are also rather beautiful. Equally worth visiting is the city of Briançon, immediately exceptional as the highest city in Europe at 1350 metres and a former fortress town courtesy of the Marquis de Vauban, Marshal of France, who built up the area with the Fort du Chateau between 1691 and 1692. The ruins are still in very good condition and sit wonderfully against the Mont-Dauphin.
Befitting its surroundings, many of Hautes-Alpes' must-see areas are ones which showcase its natural beauty. The Serre-Ponçon Lake, one of the largest artificial lakes in Western Europe, is one prominent example. However, any visitors would also be well advised to make time for the Écrins National Park. One of just seven official national parks in the country, which cumulatively draw more than 7 million visitors each year, Écrins incorporates both the Massif des Écrins mountains and, as a result, the Dauphiné Alps. Less prestigious but worth checking out is Saint Véran, home to the Association Astroqueyras (which provides opportunities for stargazing in Hautes-Alpes' clear skies) and the Parc Régional du Queyras, a complex of some 60,000 hectares.
Hautes-Alpes is awash with resorts and, by consequence, winter and summer sports dominate family entertainment in the department. Gliding, sailing, rambling and climbing are just a few of the many options available in most communes, but certain places provide special activities like tobogganing in Saint Véran or rafting on the River Durance and horse riding in Embrun.
You won't find Le Louvre in Hautes-Alpes, but there are one or two quaint local museums to be discovered. The best of these are the Soum Museum in Saint Véran and the Museum of Casse in Champsaur, which attempts to recreate the old way of life in Hautes-Alpes and gives an insight into the distant past.
Shopping
Not exactly home to bountiful high streets, shopping in Hautes-Alpes revolves around the many local crafts like the woodcarving from the indigenous pine Cembro in Saint Véran.
A particularly good place to stop by if you're looking for a souvenir is the open-air market in Gap, held on Wednesdays and Saturdays with a range of craft stalls.
Skiing
The vast majority of people who visit Hautes-Alpes do so for the winter sports, with downhill skiing, snowboarding and even parachute skiing available. There are over 30 areas to ski in the department, with almost 1500 kilometres of downhill ski slopes. One popular area is the resort of Serre-Chevalier, located around the Dauphiné Alps and in close proximity to Gap. Also within the area is the Gap-Bayard resort, which is generally considered the premier spot for cross-country skiing, with 50 kilometres of trails around the 1246 metre-high Col Bayard (although there are some 700 kilometres of trails in Hautes-Alpes!). Other notable stations include those of Orcières-Merlette, Chaillol, Saint-Léger and Saint Véran.
If you are an experienced practitioner, Hautes-Alpes has a particular challenge in the shape of La Grave. Overlooked by La Meije, a mount reaching almost 4000 metres at its highest point, the area is famously unpisted and thus dangerous to ski without a guide. Nevertheless, the spot attracts a number of daredevils annually, as well as ice climbers looking for tricky routes.
Walking
The tranquility and beauty of the Hautes-Alpes landscape make it a popular location for hikers. One outstanding example is the route around the Queyras valley, which was, according to legend, once traversed by Attila the Hun.
Gap is home to a number of invigorating hikes, ranging from the route to the peak of Charance at some 3 kilometres to the 45 kilometre circuit around the Balconies of Gap. Other challenges can be found in the area of Mont Guillaume around Embrun.
Golf
Surprisingly, you will find one or two courses within Hautes-Alpes, most of which are in Gap and include the summer course at the Gap-Bayard resort.
Food And Drink
Hautes-Alpes prides itself on its regional gastronomy, revolving around traditional mountain recipes like local variety ravioli and Champsaur pies. The best place for restaurants is Gap, with a wide range of traditional French cuisine, local specialities and pizzerias which indicate the Italian influence. If you can't make it to Gap though, try the commune of Serre-Chevalier instead.
Ease Of Access
Due to the terrain, getting to Hautes-Alpes is a little tricky. The closest airport is Marseille Provence, roughly 200 kilometres away. However, the department is accessible via train either from Paris or Marseille, entering one of the major cities like Gap or Briançon.
Once in Hautes-Alpes, the roads are surprisingly good, with the department well connected. Nevertheless, driving is naturally hazardous and caution is strongly advised.
Value For Money
The strong winter sports trade means accommodation in Hautes-Alpes is easily bought, with plenty of hotels like the sizeable 'Hôtel des Alpes' in La Grave. Alternatively, apartments are often let out, especially around Serre-Chevalier.
Prices are fairly expensive, but naturally depend both on the location and the timing. The low seasons in Hautes-Alpes are short, lasting from April to May and September to November.
Summary
If you love the outdoors and want to see France, Hautes-Alpes is one of the best places to visit. Offering winter sports galore, beautiful scenery and delicious cuisine, Hautes-Alpes appeals to all and sundry and is rightly a popular tourist destination.
