Here is a list of what else you can do
in the Hautes-Alpes region close to our apartments. We
have given an estimate of prices which might change a
bit, but this will hopefully give you some ideas.
| Local
markets |
There
are weekly markets all around on every day of the
week. Here you can buy locally produced fruit, vegetables,
cheeses, saucisson, clothes etc.
We highly recommend the Vallouise market on a Thursday
morning and Embrun market on a Wednesday and Saturday.
We can advise you where to park if going to the
Vallouise market.
Alternatively why not hire a mountain bike and
cycle from your apartment? |
| La Maison
du Miel |
The
Honey Farm/House
(La Maison du Miel)
The Honey Farm
offers hot drinks, cakes, nougat, candles and of
course numerous types of honey all produced on site.
There is also
a small museum to inform you all about the production of honey.
In summer you
can see the bees at work and guided tours especially
for children are available from 3pm.
During July
and August the farm is open every day at the following
times:
10am to 12:30pm
2:30pm to 7pm |
| Silver
Mine Tour |
L’Argentière
takes its name from “argent” the french word for
“silver”. Although no longer active you can visit
original historic silver mine and museum in L’Argentière
from the 1st June to 15th
September. A visit lasts 2 hours and you should
expect a temperature of 12°C in the mine.
It is a guided visit so it is necessary to make
a reservation.
Telephone: 04 92 23 02 94 |
| Donkey
walks |
Ideal
for families with young children. Hire your own
donkey for the day to carry your picnic and/or children.
Alternatively you can take part in a one day or
two day (with overnight stop in the wilds)
organised walks with a small group.
Hire a donkey for the day: 45 Euros
Organised
one day walks: 25 Euros per adult. 20 Euros per
child.
Organised
two day overnight walks: 90 Euros per adult. 60
Euros per child (under 12) |
| Adventure
parks |
There
are adventure parks of rope bridges, tyroliennes
etc and are found at Puy St Vincent, Fressinières
and Serre Chevalier.
Great fun for both adults and children of 6 years
and above.
Details enclosed.
Puy St Vincent: telephone 06 84 77 91 98
Fressinières: telephone 06 07 56 18 33
Serre Chevalier (children aged 8 and above): telephone
04 92 24 90 57 |
| Archery |
There
are two archery schools located at Puy St Vincent
1600 and Pelvoux. Instruction every day from 9am
to 6pm during July and August.
Suitable for age 7 and above. |
| Summer
Luge |
This
involves whizzing down a 750m long concrete track
with banked corners on a small sledge. Don’t panic
though as you do have brakes…the trick is not to
use them. The great thing about the summer luge at Puy St.Vincent 1600m is that to get back up the
hill and do it again you use the ski lift. There
are no age restrictions for this as very small children can ride with an adult.
Tokens for this can be purchased at the Puy St.
Vincent 1600m ski-station and it costs just 3,75€
per descent. You’ll want to do it again and again! |
| Swimming
pools and other places to go swimming with the family. |
Les
Vigneaux: The main campsite in Les Vigneaux
has an outdoor swimming pool which is open from
July. There is also a big slide, toddler’s pool
and plenty of space to lounge around the pool. Just
outside the swimming pool entrance there is a bar
and restaurant. Entry approx 3 Euros.
Puy St Vincent 1600 has an outdoor pool
which is open from July. Bars and restaurants are
located a few metres away, opposite the pool. Entry
approx 3 Euros.
L’Argentière la Bessée has an indoor and
outdoor pool. Entry 3 Euros.
Briançon has an indoor and outdoor pool
with a gigantic slide and toddler’s pool. Entry
approx 4 Euros.
Lakes
There are two small natural lakes (plans d’eau)
within a few miles of Les Vigneaux where you can
swim, take your inflatable boat and generally relax.
Approximately 20 minutes away at Embrun you will
find the lake “Serre Ponçon, the largest man made
lake in Europe.
Roche de Rame: Bathing is supervised during
July and August. Pedalos are available for hire.
Bar and Restaurant at the water’s edge. This small
lake is located just off the main road on the left
hand side when leaving Roche de Rame. You can’t
miss it.
Rama: this small lake is located between
L’Argentière la Bessée and Roche de Rame and is
bit of a local’s secret, so it never gets busy.
No pedalos, bars or restaurants but plenty of space
to relax, swim etc. Please ask us for details.
Serre Ponçon – the largest man-made lake
in Europe. Pebble beach areas, supervised swimming
areas, windsurf hire, catamaran hire, pedalos, dinghy
sailing. Just like being at the beach but set in
beautiful mountain scenery. |
| Paragliding |
There
are several paragliding schools in the valley. We
have both experienced the tandem “baptême” (introductory)
flight with the local company “Pollen” located in
Vallouise.
Telephone : 04 92 23 14 60
Cost: approx 60 Euros
Flight time: approx 15 minutes.
Suitable for aged 6 years and above.
Amazing! Not to be missed. |
| Fishing |
Just
500 metres from the Les Vigneaux apartments you
will find river Gyronde. This is a fantastic place
for fast water fly fishing.
The Hautes Alpes region has 2000km of rivers, 1700km
of which are classified as 1st category.
In addition you can fish the 2800ha lake (Serre-Ponçon)
and 47 stocked lakes more than 1800m above sea level.
The lakes and rivers of the region are continually
restocked and you can expect to catch a great variety
of fish including salmon, trout, carp, pike, perche,
chub, char and bass. The river trout fishing season
is from March until the third Sunday in September.
Fishing season for the high mountain lakes begins
the first Saturday in July and continues until there
is snow on the ground again.
Day or week fishing permits can be purchased from
various places (see enclosed details) starting from
10€ or 1€ for children less than age 12. The closest
place to buy a permit is the Bar du Rif in Les Vigneaux.
Just ask and we can point you in the right direction. |
| Quad
Bikes |
Quad
bikes can be hired locally with or without guides
for short or long itineries. Please ask us
and we can find out more information if you are
interested. |
| Karting |
A professional
quality outdoor karting track can be found just
after the La Salle Les Alpes on the road from Briançon
heading towards Grenoble.
The track does ice karting in the winter and then
reopens from 15th June to 15th
September for conventional tarmac racing.
Karts are available for adults and children.
Telephone: 04 92 24 78 74
This track usually hosts a leg of the Andros Trophy
Ice racing events in late January, where full-sized
, specially built 4 wheel drive cars compete againgst
one another. The cars are often seen going sideways
at close to 100mph! You may seen ex-Formual 1 drivers
competing too! |
| Horse
riding |
Horse
riding, pony trekking, individual lessons, group
lessons and indoor school.
Contact: Villeneuve - Club Hippique
de Serre Che. Telephone:
04 92 24 78 61
or
Monetier
(Le Lauzet) - Le Ranch du Grand Aigle. Telephone: 04 92 24 56 88
|
en français