Guillestrois Queyras
At the gateway to elsewhere
Between stone citadels and unsubdued mountains, the Guillestrois Queyras is a crossroads where history, grandiose landscapes and Alpine traditions meet. From wild gorges to mythical passes, from hilltop villages to dazzling snows, this territory combines the charm of a living past with the splendor of unspoilt nature.
Between wild gorges and mythical passes
Guillestrois
land of encounters
In the heart of the valleys, Guillestre stands like an open door to the Alps. Overlooking the
Queyras
bursts of altitude
Beyond the Guil gorges, Fort Queyras, a thousand-year-old sentinel perched on its rocky spur, recounts both medieval history and the ingenuity of Vauban’s fortifications. For 800 years, it has watched over the
Sovereignnature
harmony of relief
From the La Forêt Blanche ski area linking the resorts of Vars and Risoul, to the village resorts of Queyras, via the Château-Renard observatory, the region combines seasons and altitudes. Here, skiing can remain wild, hikes solitary, and the sky a rare purity. Larch forests, fragrant alpine meadows and icy torrents make up an unspoilt landscape where the human footprint blends into the harmony of the landscape.
L’art et la main,
history of wood
Wood craftsmanship is an integral part of the region’s identity, perpetuating the skills of the past. Sculptures, furniture, toys and utensils tell the story of skills handed down from generation to generation. In the workshops, the smell of wood shavings mingles with the stories of the elders, like a living memory that resists fashions and the accelerating pace of time.
Guillestrois-Queyras highlights
VarsVarson stage
Free of charge and in the open air, the concert brings together some of France’s top names at the foot of the slopes, transforming the resort into a dancefloor under the stars.
QueyrasLaGrande traversée du Queyras
Shoes firmly on, breath short and cheeks rosy from the crisp air: the Grande Traversée du Queyras is the Nordic rendezvous that warms the thighs and makes the eyes sparkle.
VarsSpeedmasters
A vertiginous and spectacular event where the best speed skiers, including local champion Simon Billy, flirt with 250 km/h on the Chabrières piste.
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.
La Forêt BlancheVars
With its speed ski run and major events, the ski area brings the energy of the Alps to life.
La Forêt BlancheRisoul
Surrounded by larch trees, the area offers thrilling descents and is constantly renewing itself.
Up highQueyras village resorts
In the heart of a regional nature park, with Mont Viso and Italy to the east, the four village resorts of Queyras: Abriès, Arvieux, Ceillac and Molines – Saint-Véran offer a variety of environments.
The Guillestrois Queyras
in figures
| AREA | 83% of the department’s 5,549 km² are covered by forests and mountainous areas. | 831.6 km² of land |
| RESIDENTS | One of France’s most sparsely populated departments, the Hautes-Alpes has a population of 142,000. | 7 955 |
| TOURIST BEDS | There are 410,000 tourist beds throughout France. They generate 22 million overnight stays a year. | 75 000 |
Source: INSEE
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.
Guillestrois-Queyras
2535 route du Queyras Maison du Tourisme, 05350 Château-Ville-Vieille
Vars
15 allée Charlot, Cr Yves Brayer, 05560 Vars
Risoul
1 Rte des Chalps, 05600 Risoul
