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Vallée du Champsaur

About 36km north of Gap on the N85 then the D123.

Discover the Champsaur valley in the Hautes Alpes

Between Grenoble and Gap, dominated to the north by the massive pyramid of Vieux Chaillol (3163m, the last peak of the Écrins massif), Champsaur is a wide valley of hedged farmland, with landscapes as varied as they are verdant, where the Drac flows. Wheat grows in abundance in this fertile valley, where cows and sheep are still raised, even if tourism is increasingly becoming the main activity.

Skiing in the high altitude resorts of the Champsaur Massif

In winter, Champsaur attracts skiers thanks to several small family resorts that are also pretty mountain villages, such as Saint Léger Les Mélèzes or Ancelle, Orcières Merlette or Laye.

A multi-purpose resort, Chaillol offers family activities (downhill skiing, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing) and fun sports (snowboarding, monoskiing, sqwal, ski carving), while Haut Champsaur is a paradise for cross-country skiers: sixty kilometers of trails along the Drac or on the high plateaus (Serre Eyrauds, La Coche and Roche Rousse).

Ecrins National Park

In summer, the high peaks of the Ecrins National Park are yours to explore, and when you return, you'll be able to enjoy tourtons, ravioles and donkey ears, all tasty specialities from Champsaur!

A must-see is the medieval Château de Saint-Jean in Saint-Jean-Saint-Nicolas. The hamlet of Prapic, nestled at the bottom of the Drac Noir valley, amidst cow and sheep pastures.

The Champoléon Valley, surrounded by high, eternally snow-capped peaks, a natural sanctuary at the bottom of which flows the Drac Blanc. The Col du Noyer (1,664 m), a breathtaking viewpoint from which to gaze across the Champsaur valley.

The village of Saint Bonnet en Champsaur

The capital of the Champsaur Valley is the pretty village of Saint-Bonnet-en-Champsaur. This splendid medieval village is well worth a visit. With its superb Place aux Herbes, local craft shops and halles on the Place de la Tour, you'll be charmed by the authenticity and beauty of this village.

Hiking in the Champsaur valley

There's plenty to do in the Champsaur valley. Here are just a few of the hikes we recommend:

  • Saut du Laire: a 9km hike in the Drac Noir valley

  • Lac de Vallonpierre, with a lovely view of the Sirac glaciers

  • Tour des Cousteilles: a family hike starting from the village of Ancelle.

Map of the Champsaur region

To find your way around the Champsaur region, you can use our interactive map on this page. It even works on cell phones. If you're looking for a place to book your vacation in the Champsaur valley, we've included some ideas for accommodation.

Accommodations we recommend

Here are some of our favorite accommodations (hotels, B&Bs...) in the Champsaur valley. Don't hesitate to contact them to plan your vacation.

Hotels

Located in the heart of Saint-Bonnet-en-Champsaur, at the foot of the Écrins National Park, Hotel Le Connetable features a terrace with panoramic views. It features a lounge area with library. The modern rooms are decorated in bright tones. All overlook the courtyard and feature flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi.

Gites and vacation rentals

Offering garden and mountain views, B&B MaisonNel is located in Saint-Bonnet-en-Champsaur, 14 km from Ancelle and 27 km from Dévoluy. Free private parking and Wi-Fi access are provided. The property is 12 km from the Gap-Bayard golf course. For added privacy, the soundproofed accommodation has its own private entrance. Skiing and cycling are available in the surrounding area. The bed & breakfast has ski storage.

95€ - 110€

Your questions about the Champsaur valley

What are the inhabitants of Champsaur called?

The inhabitants of the Champsaur valley are simply called "champsaurins" and "champsaurines". It's an adjective often used in the local press to refer to the inhabitants of the Haute Vallée du Drac region.

What to do in Champsaur?

Between hiking in the high mountains on the trails of the Massif du Champsaur, visiting pretty villages like Saint Bonnet en Champsaur, cross-country skiing in winter, white-water sports, climbing... there's plenty to do in the Champsaur valley!

How do you pronounce Champsaur?

"Champsaur" is pronounced as it is in French, "chanssôr". The "p" is silent, as in "un champ". The word can be more complicated to pronounce for foreigners than for French people.

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