Saint-Jean Saint-Nicolas
Departement of the Hautes Alpes - Population : 781 inh. - Altitude : 1,134 m.
25 km North-East of Gap via the N85 and the D944.
In the upper Champsaur valley, in the heart of the Ecrins National Park, ou'll find the municipality of Saint-Jean Saint-Nicolas, a group of hamlets the largest of which is called Pont-du-Fossé.
Overlooking the superb broad valley of Drac Noir are a few perched houses, built from massive blocks of grey stone, with lauze roofs, set against a backdrop of vertical rock cliffs, around a picturesque belltower.
In such a tranquil spot, without a care in the world you'll be able to admire the round tower with its pointed roof, standing nobly in a verdant meadow.
This fine structure is all that remains of a medieval castle where according to historians "five families lived in succession from 1274 to the Revolution in 1789"...
What to see:
Saint Jean Château (near the parish church by the crossroads on the road to Chabottonnes).Le Ecrins National Park.
Leisure activities:
Hiking.Skiing at Orcières and Saint Léger les Mélèzes.
Kayak sur le Drac.
Accommodation:
Hotels.Bed and breakfast.
Gites.
Campsite.
Neighbouring towns and villages:
Orcières(10km), Saint Bonnet en Champsaur (15km) and Gap (25km).
