Discover the area around the Grange des Ecrins
in Chabottes
Welcome to the Hautes-Alpes!
Nestled in the heart of the Southern French Alps, the Hautes-Alpes offer a concentrated dose of nature, adventure, and authenticity. Here, you'll discover spectacular landscapes of mountain peaks, high-altitude lakes, and pristine valleys, with iconic sites such as the Écrins National Park, Lake Serre-Ponçon, and the Valgaudemar and Champsaur valleys, at the heart of which lies La Grange des Écrins. Summer and winter alike, the department is a vast playground: skiing, hiking, mountaineering, mountain biking, whitewater sports, paragliding, and more, not to mention a rich heritage and numerous local traditions. Sunny, welcoming, and still relatively untouched by mass tourism, the Hautes-Alpes appeal to adventure seekers as well as those looking for peace and wide-open spaces.
The Champsaur Valley
Nestled between majestic mountains and lush meadows, the Champsaur Valley captivates you at first sight. In this valley, one of the most delightful in the Alps, the air is pure, the landscapes breathtaking, and the silence broken only by the babbling of mountain streams.
Here, you'll experience a raw yet welcoming nature, charming villages, and a rare tranquility of life, whatever the season, whatever the moment.
Here, you'll experience a raw yet welcoming nature, charming villages, and a rare tranquility of life, whatever the season, whatever the moment.
The alpine village of Prapic
Located deep at the end of the Champsaur Valley, Prapic is an iconic village of the Hautes-Alpes. This traditional hamlet, with its unique atmosphere that allows you to step back in time, is the starting point for numerous hikes, each as beautiful as the next: Lac des Pisses, Col des Tourettes, Mourre-Froid, and more. Authentic and picturesque, Prapic is also a haven for marmots. And it's less than half an hour away from the Grange des Ecrins!
The Pétètes Chapel
Facing the majestic peaks of the Champsaur valley, the small chapel of Les Pétètes stands silently in a humble corner of the area - old, simple and touching.
People come here for the peace and quiet, for the view, and above all for the "pétètes" ("dolls" in the local dialect) that adorn its facade and make this monument a truly unique place.
A modest place, yet imbued with soul and gentleness, which, between sky and mountain, far from everything (except from the Grange des Écrins), invites you to pause and contemplate.
People come here for the peace and quiet, for the view, and above all for the "pétètes" ("dolls" in the local dialect) that adorn its facade and make this monument a truly unique place.
A modest place, yet imbued with soul and gentleness, which, between sky and mountain, far from everything (except from the Grange des Écrins), invites you to pause and contemplate.
The Noyer Pass
The Col du Noyer is a gateway to the beauty of the Southern Alps.
Its winding road climbs between cliffs and forests to an altitude of 1,664 meters, offering spectacular panoramas at every turn.
Up there, the view plunges down to the Dévoluy and Champsaur valleys, in a magnificent vista. Wild and luminous, this legendary Tour de France pass (its last ascent took place in 2024) exudes freedom, escape, and the grandeur of the mountains. Its summit is about twenty kilometers from the Grange des Écrins.
Its winding road climbs between cliffs and forests to an altitude of 1,664 meters, offering spectacular panoramas at every turn.
Up there, the view plunges down to the Dévoluy and Champsaur valleys, in a magnificent vista. Wild and luminous, this legendary Tour de France pass (its last ascent took place in 2024) exudes freedom, escape, and the grandeur of the mountains. Its summit is about twenty kilometers from the Grange des Écrins.
The Serre-Ponçon Lake
Nestled in the heart of the Hautes-Alpes, Lake Serre-Ponçon is a turquoise sea set in the mountains.
Its wild beaches, secluded coves, and crystal-clear waters beckon you to dive in without hesitation.
Surrounded by sun-drenched peaks, it offers a perfect blend of water sports, hiking, and sunbathing. Here, the air is pure, time slows down, and every sunset is a spectacular show. Serre-Ponçon is the ultimate escape into nature… just half an hour from La Grange des Écrins!
Its wild beaches, secluded coves, and crystal-clear waters beckon you to dive in without hesitation.
Surrounded by sun-drenched peaks, it offers a perfect blend of water sports, hiking, and sunbathing. Here, the air is pure, time slows down, and every sunset is a spectacular show. Serre-Ponçon is the ultimate escape into nature… just half an hour from La Grange des Écrins!
The Tourond mountain hut
Perched deep in the Champoléon valley, the Tourond refuge is a timeless haven.
You arrive on foot, breathless, but with your heart already won over.
All around, rugged peaks, breathtaking waterfalls, lovely marmots, and a soothing silence.
In the evening, the warmth of the refuge and its guardians contrasts with the immense mountains that surround you.
At the Tourond refuge, you don't just walk through: you reconnect with yourself.
You arrive on foot, breathless, but with your heart already won over.
All around, rugged peaks, breathtaking waterfalls, lovely marmots, and a soothing silence.
In the evening, the warmth of the refuge and its guardians contrasts with the immense mountains that surround you.
At the Tourond refuge, you don't just walk through: you reconnect with yourself.
Snowshoeing or Nordic skiing
In winter, discover snow-covered landscapes on our many snowshoeing and Nordic skiing itineraries. A magical experience in the heart of the Écrins.
Snowshoeing or Nordic skiing
In winter, discover snow-covered landscapes on our many snowshoeing and Nordic skiing itineraries. A magical experience in the heart of the Écrins.
Climbing at Ailefroide
Renowned as one of the finest climbing sites in France, Ailefroide offers walls suitable for climbers of all levels. It also offers magnificent panoramas and an authentic mountain atmosphere.
Via ferrata des Vigneaux
For an adrenalin rush in complete safety, try the via ferrata at Les Vigneaux. This route, equipped with cables and metal ladders, takes you up a rock face with breathtaking views over the valley.