Pays des Écrins
A myth of rock and ice
For centuries, men have been writing the stubborn story of mountaineering in the Écrins, with the tip of a crampon and the thread of a rope. From the glittering glaciers to the cool shade of the torrents, this territory combines the heritage of the high mountains, Alpine traditions and the raw power of the Ecrins National Park.
It’s here in Vallouise that the history of mountaineering is written.
The Barre des Écrins
guardian of the heights
At an altitude of 4,102 metres, the Barre des Écrins dominates the Hautes-Alpes like a mineral sentinel. Around it, the
Perched at an altitude of over 3,000 m, the Écrins refuge majestically overlooks the Blanc glacier.
Valleys of stories
and toil
The Fournel valley, today a natural sanctuary, was once the scene of intense mining activity. The
Clinging to the vertiginous walls of the Ailefroide valley
gateways to the high mountains
At the Pré de Madame Carle, where the trails lead up to the Blanc and Noir glaciers, the mountaineers’ rite of approach takes place every summer. Not far away, the resorts of Pelvoux-Vallouise and Puy Saint Vincent offer travellers a more accessible face of the mountains, combining the pleasures of the snow with breathtaking views of the peaks.
Five faces, 6,000 vertical meters, 15 hours. These are the figures for Benjamin Védrines and Nicolas Jean’s new routine, as they climbed and skied the five faces of Les Agneaux (3,664 m) in the heart of the Écrins massif on February 18.
Living water,
artery of the valleys
At L’Argentière-La Bessée, the white-water stadium turns the torrent into a sporting playground, continuing the long Alpine tradition of a relationship with water. Rivers and waterfalls, the result of glacial melt, irrigate meadows and orchards, reminding us that in the Écrins, life is rooted as much in stone as in the current.
The Argentière-la-Bessée whitewater stadium is an emblematic site dedicated to water sports and thrills.
Pays des Écrins highlights
Pelvoux-Vallouise
Igloo Pelvoux
Carved out of the snow every winter, this ephemeral refuge combines an ice bar, sparkling sculptures and unusual nights under the polar canopy.
Perfect conditions for a unique line in the heart of the mountains.
Puy Saint Vincent
World Cup and World Youth Ski Mountaineering Championships
On its technical and scenic routes, the world’s best athletes rub shoulders with the world’s up-and-coming stars in an atmosphere that’s both sporty and friendly.
L’Argentière-La Bessée
Ice Climbing
More than just a festival, this benchmark event is a must for the discipline. Its success? Ice cubes, azure skies, all at the right temperature to welcome the discipline’s elite.
The stations
From the charm of the villages to the energy of the major ski areas, the Hautes-Alpes offers a wide choice of resorts to experience the mountains at your own pace. Downhill skiing, Nordic activities, hiking or summer adventures: there’s something for everyone, in the heart of unspoilt landscapes.
Waking up in the snow
At the foot of the giantsPelvoux-Vallouise
In the heart of the Écrins, this resort combines authentic villages and a varied ski area, ideal for enjoying the mountains from every angle.
The pearl of the ÉcrinsPuy Saint Vincent
Spread over 3 altitudes, Puy Saint Vincent’s trails wind through larch forests, facing the emblematic peaks of Pelvoux, Barre des Écrins and Glacier Blanc.
The Ecrinsinfigures
| AREA | 83% of the department’s 5,549 km² are covered by forests and mountainous areas. | 462,8 m² |
| RESIDENTS | One of France’s most sparsely populated departments, the Hautes-Alpes has a population of 142,000. | 6 582 |
| TOURIST BEDS | There are 410,000 tourist beds throughout France. They generate 22 million overnight stays a year. | 37 000 |
Need advice?
The tourist office,
your local ally
Good deals, ideas for activities, personalized advice: don’t hesitate to come and meet or contact the Tourist Office teams to make the most of your destination.
Puy Saint Vincent
Station 1600, 05290 Puy Saint Vincent
