Hautes-Alpes Holiday Guide
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A delightful destination - part Provence part Alpine
The Hautes-Alpes department is a strange mix of sunny Provence and snowy Alpine mountains. Its winters are colder than in the rest of the region and have much snow, but summers still bring that characteristic Provencal sunshine and warmth. The people of the Hautes-Alpes pride themselves on their hospitality and friendliness, and this helps to make the Hautes-Alpes a delightful destination for families, unpretentious and unspoilt.
Top 5 things to see and do in the Hautes-Alpes
1. Go skiing
The department might not be the first one that comes to mind when you think of booking a skiing holiday in the French Alps, but it is well worth considering. Compared with the big resorts in the Rhône-Alpes, the Hautes-Alpes department offers a friendlier service, less crowding and lower prices, making it ideal for families. The resorts and quality of skiing are excellent too, so you won't have to compromise there!
2. Ecrins National Park
The Ecrins National Park has an amazing abundance of flora and fauna to discover, and one of the most beautiful natural environments you will ever see. The biggest national park in France, this is a place to be at one with nature at its very, very best.
3. Adventure parks
The department is a natural adventure playground, but if your kids are young they may be happier in the controlled environment of the excellent adventure parks that can be found in the department. Climbing, zip wires, trampolining and many more activities that will have them happy and exhausted at the end of the day are all on hand in the Hautes-Alpes.
4. Ride
The lower pastures of this green and beautiful region are ideal for horse-riding. Horses thrive here, and any drive around the department will allow you to see many fields of happy horses. The riding is perfect, in stunning scenery and a calm, often traffic free environment.
5. Wine and dine
This is the department that brings you the Beaujolais, whose arrival is such a cause for celebration each year, as well as many more delicious foods. You really do get the best of the best, in gastronomical terms, in the Hautes-Alpes, as here you have the unbelievably wonderful marriage of two gastronomies, that of sunny Provence and that of the snowy Alps. Provencal flavours bring the sunshine tastes of tomatoes, olive oils, herbs and fruits, while the mountain influences allow you to indulge in rich, cheesy fondues and tartiflettes, salty cured hams, spicy sausages and so much more.
Top 5 towns and cities in the Hautes-Alpes
1. Gap
Gap is a large town, but one of the friendliest in the country. The people of Gap offer a warm, typically Alpine welcome to visitors, in addition to a range of attractions and facilities. It isn't a typically tourist-orientated town (you won't find masses of tacky souvenir shops, inflated prices or theme parks), but its appeal lies more in its fabulous setting, its authenticity and its attitude to life. Gap is a town for those who really love France, rather than those who want to holiday in Disneyland. There are several good mountain and ski resorts within easy reach, so Gap is also a great base for winter (or summer) sports holidays.
2. Briancon
The town of Briancon has the distinction of being the highest town in Europe, and is a listed UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Vauban fortifications are fascinating, and the town has a number of sights and interesting features, guaranteeing a great day out. It is one of only two French towns to have the unusual "gargouille", which is a canal that runs along the centre of the streets - what's more, Briancon has two! The town is a big tourist attraction and can get busy at peak times, but it is well worth adding to any holiday itinerary of the Hautes-Alpes.
3. La Grave
La Grave is on the official list of "France's most beautiful villages", and is equally beautiful in summer and winter. In winter, the skiing opportunities from La Grave suit experts only, but the challenges posed here have a great appeal for those who really like their skiing to be adventurous! For the rest of us, the village is worth a visit for its traditional quality, its unrivalled setting and deliciously Alpine ambience.
4. Monêtier les Bains
Monêtier les Bains is a lovely, high altitude village that is a regular feature of the Tour de France as well as being one of the highest points of the Serre Chevalier ski area. The village is full of Alpine character, with pretty houses, wooden balconies (flower decked in summer) and fountains. It's also a spa town, with natural hot water springs that have been popular since Roman days!
5. Embrun
Embrun may not have quite the charm and character of some of the towns of the area, but it is still interesting and is a well equipped base for a holiday in the area, allowing comfort and easy access to all the attractions. There are a good few old buildings, pleasant squares and little streets to discover, and Embrun is a good place to relax with plenty of quality shops, restaurants and bars.
Food and drink in the Hautes-Alpes
Take the sunshine flavours of Provence and add the creamy, robust tastes of the Alps and you have the gastronomy of the Hautes-Alpes department. In summer you can enjoy light and delicious traditional salads of fresh vegetables laced with a little mayonnaise, often accompanied by local hams or cheeses, while winter brings the chance to indulge in a fabulous fondue or a terrific tartiflette. Honey is also produced here and has a special delicacy to its taste thanks to the nectar of the mountain flowers.
How to get to the Hautes-Alpes
The nearest airport is Grenoble, currently offering the services of easyJet, Ryanair and Bmi Baby. The department has a good rail network linking to the TGV services at Grenoble and Marseille, while driving there from the ferry ports of the north of France takes around eight to nine hours. The roads are usually excellent however and you are unlikely to encounter hold ups.
