Wedged between the Ecrins National Park and the Queyras Regional Park, Mont-Dauphin is in the heart of a preserved nature, with a wealth of wildlife and flora.

Shielded by high mountains from most weather perturbations, the Hautes-Alpes region enjoys a Mediterranean climate combining exceptional sunshine rate all year round and excellent snow conditions in the winter.

Tourism and excursions

The region around Mont-Dauphin offers a variety of historical sites, from the fortified town of Brianiçon – like Mont-Dauphin one of 12 Vauban sites on the World Heritage list – the fairy tale-looking Château-Queyras castle, the Embrun cathédral and the 12th century Boscodon abbey.

Mountain traditions and architecture are preserved in the Queyras valleys which boasts Saint-Veran, Europe’s highest village at 2 040 m – « the highest place where bread is eaten » its sundial says.

Winter sports 

All kinds of skiing in and around the region’s resorts: downhill, off-piste and cross country, speed skiing. Ski touring, high altitude skiing and snowshoe touring are practised in the Ecrins and Queyras parks and all nearby mountain ranges. Ice climbing has excellent sites at Freissinierees, Ceillac and Vallouise.

The resorts

• 21 kms away : Vars and Risoul forming together the White Forest skiing area
• 31 kms : Les Orres
• 34 kms : Briançon, Serre Chevalier, Puy Saint-Vincent
• 20 to 35 kms the Queyras ressorts (Arvieux, Abries, Molines, Saint-Veran, Ceillac)

Summer sports

Mountaineering, white water, biking, flying, horse riding, walking, hiking, trekking, glacier and rock climbing, via ferrata ... : Ecrins, Queyras, Guillestrois and Briançonnais offer unlimited numbers of excursions at all levels.

The Ecrins-Oisans range (Barre des Ecrins 4 102 m, Meije 3 983 m) is France’s second highest after Mont-Blanc. Queyras (Font Sancte 3 385 m) has several peaks over 3 000 m high.

There are several rock climbing sites around Mont-Dauphin, including the Fortress’ own cliffs.

There are « via ferrata » at Arvieux, L’Argentiere, Briançon, Freissinieres, Les Orres, Les Vigneaux

White water

kayak at all levels and rafting are practised on the fast-flowing Guil and Durance rivers. There are water sports operators at Saint-Clément-sur-Durance and L’Argentière.

Biking

is increasingly popular, including over the great mountain passes of Tour de France fame : Vars, Izoard, Lautaret, Galibier – with electrical bikes if you don’t aim for the yellow jersey.

Gliding

at Saint-Crépin airfield, 5 kms from Mont-Dauphin

Horse riding

at Saint-Clément, Eygliers lake

More information on how to holiday in Mont-Dauphin and Hautes-Alpes :  maison du Tourisme du Guillestrois & guide du Guillestrois et de l'Embrunais .