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The Area

A World of Nature at your Fingertips

The Hautes-Alpes contains treasures of nature and is a playground exemplary in its diversity and its wild character. Boasting 300+ days of sunshine a year, Briançon lies at the meeting point of five valleys. Its adjacent national park, Les Ecrins, host several glaciers and culminates at 4101 meters high. With Serre Chevalier, the most well-known, Montgenèvre, the oldest and the mythical La Grave-La Meije, three of the largest ski resorts in France, the Briançon area is undeniably focused on winter sports and summer mountain activities.

The Briançon area is ideal for getting about: the Italian border is close by as are the high altitude passes of the Galibier, the Lautaret, the Echelle or the Izoard (Grands Cols) and the wild and preserved Vallée de la Clarée (Clarée Valley). It is renowned for the quality of the air and the health benefits related to the climate. The Guisane Valley has several wellness establishments such as Les Grands Bains in Monétier, where there is a natural warm water spring or Durancia in Montgenèvre near to two recent biotope lakes.

Summer

  • Biweekly Market

    This market was a great discovery when we first arrived here. First, there are loads of small producers all around Briançon, hiding in the mountains here and there, veggies, cheese, bread, mushrooms, wild berries, nettles, you name it! And second, the border is only 15 min away. So be ready for all the mouth-watering italian products. Are you ever tried a proper gorgonzola?
  • Mountain Lakes

    There a two lakes we love to go after a long active day, or just for a chill easy break to get some sun and enjoy clear water. One is 10 min away from the house (Baignade bio de Chantemerle) and another one 20 min (Lac de La-Roche-de-Rame) where there is a perfect jumping tree! People often bring their computer along if they need to work a bit.
  • Microadventures

    Ready, steady, close your laptop, go!!! Nothing is far from the house and we love to make spontaneous decisions, whether it is to go for a via ferrata lunch break, an evening run in the forest, a chill slackline/hammock time in the closeby park, a yummy italian hot chocolate in one of our favorite café or a barbecue night in one of our secret spots.
  • Paragliding

    Have you ever imagined flying free in the air like a bird? Paragliding is the closest you can get to this amazing, fantasized and very unique feeling. The southern French Alps is a great destination for learning to paraglide thanks to its reliable weather conditions and predictable thermals. More info
  • Canyoning

    Canyoning is a great way to explore some of the French Alps’ most inaccessible yet beautiful landscapes. A canyon with its gushing waterfalls, natural swimming pools and boulders for clambering over is like a huge natural water park. More info
  • Trail Running

    Whether you wanna go for a short 5 km run around the house on a flat path, or for a longer adventure in the mountains in the wilderness, the dry weather and 300+ days of sun per year offer perfect conditions for this activity. Trails and gpx traces
  • Via Ferratas

    Protected climbing routes also known as via ferratas are a great way to explore the mountains with less technical skills needed than for rock climbing. There are 27 via ferratas in the area, from beginner ones to the paths that will make you push your limits. Via Ferrata routes
  • Historic Old Town

    The UNESCO World Heritage old town has been fortified by Vauban in the 17th century but whose history goes back to 2,500 years with initial settlers in this region, the Celts. Now, it’s an ideal place to wander in colorful narrow streets, discover cafes and restaurants, or visit small galleries, bookstores and shops.
  • Rafting/Kayaking

    Explore the best white waters of France, on the Guisane, Gyr or Guil river. Step into a kayak or a raft and see where it takes you. It will be one of life's most memorable experiences. More info
  • Climbing

    Briançon is surrounded by more than 80 actual climbing sites, many with more than one sector, on 6 different rock types, grades ranging from 3c to 9 and a mix of single and multi-pitch with 300 days of sun per year and you get one of the world's best climbing spots. Climbing sites around Briançon
  • Biking

    X-country, Enduro, Downhill, Road Biking – Test the big mountain, singletrack paradise that is home to the best riding in the world or cycle the most famous and challenging etapes of Tour de France. MTB routes and gpx traces
  • Hiking

    Located between the Ecrins National Park and Queyras Regional Park, at 20 min drive from the famous Vallée de la Clarée, and from the Italian border, we are in an ideal place to discover all the refugees, mountain lakes and glaciers of the South Alps. Nearby hiking trails
homepage_hiking_scaled

Hiking

Located between the Ecrins National Park and Queyras Regional Park, at 20 min drive from the famous Vallée de la Clarée, and from the Italian border, we are in an ideal place to discover all the refugees, mountain lakes and glaciers of the South Alps. Nearby hiking trails
homepage_biking_scaled

Biking

X-country, Enduro, Downhill, Road Biking – Test the big mountain, singletrack paradise that is home to the best riding in the world or cycle the most famous and challenging etapes of Tour de France. MTB routes and gpx traces
homepage_climbing_scaled

Climbing

Briançon is surrounded by more than 80 actual climbing sites, many with more than one sector, on 6 different rock types, grades ranging from 3c to 9 and a mix of single and multi-pitch with 300 days of sun per year and you get one of the world’s best climbing spots. Climbing sites around Briançon
homepage_viaferrata_scaled

Via Ferrata

Protected climbing routes also known as via ferratas are a great way to explore the mountains with less technical skills needed than for rock climbing. There are 27 via ferratas in the area, from beginner ones to the paths that will make you push your limits. Via Ferrata routes

Trail Running

Whether you wanna go for a short 5 km run around the house on a flat path, or for a longer adventure in the mountains in the wilderness, the dry weather and 300+ days of sun per year offer perfect conditions for this activity. Trails and gpx traces

Paragliding

Have you ever imagined flying free in the air like a bird? Paragliding is the closest you can get to this amazing, fantasized and very unique feeling. The southern French Alps is a great destination for learning to paraglide thanks to its reliable weather conditions and predictable thermals. More info
homepage_rafting_scaled

Rafting/Kayaking

Explore the best white waters of France, on the Guisane, Gyr or Guil river. Step into a kayak or a raft and see where it takes you. It will be one of life’s most memorable experiences. More info

Canyoning

Canyoning is a great way to explore some of the French Alps’ most inaccessible yet beautiful landscapes. A canyon with its gushing waterfalls, natural swimming pools and boulders for clambering over is like a huge natural water park. More info
homepage_microadventure_scaled

Microadventures

Ready, steady, close your laptop, go!!! Nothing is far from the house and we love to make spontaneous decisions, whether it is to go for a via ferrata lunch break, an evening run in the forest, a chill slackline/hammock time in the closeby park, a yummy italian hot chocolate in one of our favorite café or a barbecue night in one of our secret spots.
Lake Roche de Rame - scaled

Mountain Lakes

There a two lakes we love to go after a long active day, or just for a chill easy break to get some sun and enjoy clear water. One is 10 min away from the house (Baignade bio de Chantemerle) and another one 20 min (Lac de La-Roche-de-Rame) where there is a perfect jumping tree! People often bring their computer along if they need to work a bit.
homepage_marché_scaled

Biweekly market

This market was a great discovery when we first arrived here. First, there are loads of small producers all around Briançon, hiding in the mountains here and there, veggies, cheese, bread, mushrooms, wild berries, nettles, you name it! And second, the border is only 15 min away. So be ready for all the mouth-watering italian products. Are you ever tried a proper gorgonzola?
homepage_old town_scaled

Historic Old Town

The UNESCO World Heritage old town has been fortified by Vauban in the 17th century but whose history goes back to 2,500 years with initial settlers in this region, the Celts. Now, it’s an ideal place to wander in colorful narrow streets, discover cafes and restaurants, or visit small galleries, bookstores and shops.

Winter

  • Ice Skating

    The lake of Parc de la Schappe in Briançon is frozen most of the winter and people take advantage it. Gloves on your hands, a helmet on your head and skates on your feet: you are ready to skate in the open air. A few falls are very likely, but fun is guaranteed.
  • Ice Driving

    Learn how to drive a car on ice and finish the laps faster than anyone on Serre-Chevalier ice driving circuit. You'll feel like a pro! An unusual and unforgettable experience.
  • Fat Biking

    From the bottom of the valleys up to the pistes of the many ski resorts, the Southern French Alps offers unlimited opportunities for fat biking in the snow. The enhanced stability provided by the large tyres makes riding on all kinds of winter terrains an easy and fun activity!
  • Ice Climbing

    Ecrins national park is world wide knowed for rock climbing, but have you ever thought about ice climbing? This practice is a great opportunity to discover the mountain differently, with crampons and ice peaks.
  • Thermals

    Built on a naturally hot spring of 45°C, the Great Baths of Monetier are a complex of 4500m² offering outdoor and indoor pools, water massage, relaxation rooms, jacuzzi, musical grotto, etc
  • Snowkiting

    Lautaret pass, at 2058 meters above sea level, is one of the best spot in Europe and it is only 30 min drive from the house. Due to the fact that the Lautaret pass is an extraordinary place from a demographic and climatic point of view, snowkiters enjoy frequent and steady winds as well as plenty of open space.
  • Dog Sledging

    Discover the enjoyments of a wonderful stroll in sled. This activity will allow you to fully appreciate the beauty of the surroundings, the glide and the contact with animals while taking advantage of some snow effortlessly.
  • Sledging

    Wanna take it easy? Hike up to a refuge by foot on a groomed ski trail, have some a lunch up there, and come down sledging! Or borrow our shovel sledges for a quick ride right outside of the old town, 3 min away from the house!
  • Snowshoeing

    Snowshoeing is a great opportunity to discover the mountains, far away from ski areas, and very close to nature, at the heart of the majestic mountains of the Southern Alps.
  • Nordic Skiing

    The Southern French Alps are perfectly adapted to cross-country skiing with their large gentle valleys meandering under a majestic backdrop of high mountains. There are five main areas dedicated to this practice around : Névache, Val-des-Près, Cervières, Villard Saint-Pancrace and Serre-Chevalier valley,
  • Ski Touring

    The Southern French Alps area is perfect for ski touring, backcountry skiing and mountaineering as there are a huge variety of routes, from technical, long distance high mountain traverses (including the Tour des Ecrins) to short day trips on easier slopes.
  • Alpine skiing

    Spend your days between discovering the 250 km of slopes of Serre Chevalier, skiing between France and Italy in Montgènevre or take it to another level in cult ski resort La Grave. ***Alpine ski resorts in France are still closed now***
  • Snowshoeing

    Snowshoeing is a great opportunity to discover the mountains, far away from ski areas, and very close to nature, at the heart of the majestic mountains of the Southern Alps.
  • Ski touring

    The Southern French Alps area is perfect for ski touring, backcountry skiing and mountaineering as there are a huge variety of routes, from technical, long distance high mountain traverses (including the Tour des Ecrins) to short day trips on easier slopes.

Alpine Skiing

Spend your days between discovering the 250 km of slopes of Serre Chevalier, skiing between France and Italy in Montgènevre or take it to another level in cult ski resort La Grave.

Ski Touring

The Southern French Alps area is perfect for ski touring, backcountry skiing and mountaineering as there are a huge variety of routes, from technical, long distance high mountain traverses (including the Tour des Ecrins) to short day trips on easier slopes.
Ski de fond - scaled

Nordic Skiing

The Southern French Alps are perfectly adapted to cross-country skiing with their large gentle valleys meandering under a majestic backdrop of high mountains. There are five main areas dedicated to this practice around : Névache, Val-des-Près, Cervières, Villard Saint-Pancrace and Serre-Chevalier valley,

Snowshoeing

Snowshoeing is a great opportunity to discover the mountains, far away from ski areas, and very close to nature, at the heart of the majestic mountains of the Southern Alps.
luge - scaled

Sledging

Wanna take it easy? Hike up to a refuge by foot on a groomed ski trail, have some a lunch up there, and come down sledging! Or borrow our shovel sledges for a quick ride right outside of the old town, 3 min away from the house!
Dog sledding clarée scaled

Dog Sledging

Discover the enjoyments of a wonderful stroll in sled. This activity will allow you to fully appreciate the beauty of the surroundings, the glide and the contact with animals while taking advantage of some snow effortlessly.
snow-kite scaled

Snowkiting

Lautaret pass, at 2058 meters above sea level, is one of the best spot in Europe and it is only 30 min drive from the house. Due to the fact that the Lautaret pass is an extraordinary place from a demographic and climatic point of view, snowkiters enjoy frequent and steady winds as well as plenty of open space.
Grands bains scaled

Thermals

Built on a naturally hot spring of 45°C, the Great Baths of Monetier are a complex of 4500m² offering outdoor and indoor pools, water massage, relaxation rooms, jacuzzi, musical grotto, etc
cascade glace - scaled

Ice Climbing

Ecrins national park is world wide knowed for rock climbing, but have you ever thought about ice climbing? This practice is a great opportunity to discover the mountain differently, with crampons and ice peaks.
Fatbike -scaled

Fat Biking

From the bottom of the valleys up to the pistes of the many ski resorts, the Southern French Alps offers unlimited opportunities for fat biking in the snow. The enhanced stability provided by the large tyres makes riding on all kinds of winter terrains an easy and fun activity!
Conduite sur glace scaled

Ice Driving

Learn how to drive a car on ice and finish the laps faster than anyone on Serre-Chevalier ice driving circuit. You’ll feel like a pro! An unusual and unforgettable experience.
patinoire schappe - scaled

Ice Skating

The lake of Parc de la Schappe in Briançon is frozen most of the winter and people take advantage it. Gloves on your hands, a helmet on your head and skates on your feet: you are ready to skate in the open air. A few falls are very likely, but fun is guaranteed.

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