Hautes-Alpes
- of the Alpine arc
- the world’s most beautiful outdoor spots
- France’s leading organic department
- pioneers in renewable energies
- olympic site in 2030
HEADLINES
Mas de Fond Vieillou
At 1,650 meters: A Successful Experiment with Mountain Grains
The Development Agency, in partnership with the Hautes-Alpes Chamber of Agriculture, brought together producers, restaurant owners, elected officials, and local partners at the Mas de Fond Vieillou to promote efficient and resilient mountain agriculture as part of the Territorial Food Project.
In Ceillac, perched at an altitude of 1,650 meters in the heart of the Queyras, grains have long been part of the agricultural landscape. In a place where winters drag on, where late frosts serve as a reminder of the harshness of the alpine climate, and where every growing season must be earned, Christophe and Sabine Gauthier have been proving for nearly twenty years that a different kind of mountain farming is possible.
A trained agronomist, Christophe Gauthier has chosen to focus on crops that are particularly well-suited to the demanding conditions of high altitudes. On his land, he grows heirloom and hardy varieties of wheat, rye, barley, and einkorn wheat, selected for their resistance to the alpine climate and their nutritional qualities
What sets Mas de Fond Vieillou apart is its complete control over its production chain. On the farm, the grains are milled on-site using its own mills, ensuring the freshness, traceability, and quality of the flours.
From seed to finished product, everything is carefully planned and processed locally, resulting in a range of products made entirely in the Queyras. The farm also houses its own artisanal pasta workshop, where homemade flours are transformed into a variety of dried pasta shapes: coquillettes, fusilli, macaroni, crozets, bec d’oiseau, rosasses du Queyras, and edelweiss.
Tour de France 2026
The Hautes-Alpes are flying their colors for the Grand Départ in Barcelona!
¡Hola Barcelona! The 113th edition of the Tour de France kicks off this Saturday, July 4, from the Catalan capital.
A historic first for Barcelona, a city of sports and passion, which is hosting the Grand Départ of the world’s most famous cycling race. For three weeks, 184 riders from 23 teams will cover the kilometers, tackle the hills, and battle for the legendary yellow jersey.
It was in the heart of the Fan Park set up on Barcelona’s Passeig de Lluís Companys (pedestrian promenade) that the Hautes-Alpes raised their colors. Led by the Development Agency, several regions in the Hautes-Alpes are present until the start of the first stage, including the tourist offices of Gap, Dévoluy,Orcières Merlette, and Serre Chevalier-Briançon.
A public outreach campaign that will be followed by a special discussion session with Spanish tour operators focused on cycling opportunities in the High Alps.
General Assembly of the Development Agency
The excitement hasn’t died down. Following an exceptional general meeting in 2025 held within the Vauban fortifications of Mont-Dauphin to mark the Agency’s 10th anniversary, the Maison de Pays de La Roche-des-Arnauds was packed to capacity on Thursday, June 25.
Following the approval of the 2025 financial statements—which highlight the strong financial health of the public interest group established in 2015—a large portion of the discussions focused on the new Departmental Tourism Development Plan, which had been adopted two days earlier during a plenary session of the Department.
The session concluded with a tribute to the Green Fund award-winning companies and the award-winning producers at the 2026 Concours Général Agricole.
FAVORITES
Hiking ideas
Crystal-clear veil in fuchsia
It is within the giant footprint left by the glaciers of vanished valleys that the Gioberney cirque receives the waters of the Voile de la Mariée waterfall.
In the spring, a bed of rhododendrons adds a splash of color to this picturesque setting. The lakes of Vallonpierre and Lauzon round out the surrounding scenery.
For a gourmet break at high altitude, the Pigeonnier, Vallonpierre, and Gioberney mountain huts welcome us. From there, several hiking trails—suitable for all skill levels—lead you to discover the beauty of the Valgaudemar landscape.
Sentinels of Time
Exploring the Forts of the Briançonnais Region
To ensure the protection of the Kingdom of France, Louis XIV wanted to turn Briançon into a true mountain fortress. Entrusted to Vauban, Asfeld, and then General Séré de Rivières, the deployment of isolated fortifications occupying all the high points above the stronghold of Briançon ensured its security.
High-altitude sentinels that bear witness to our history.
(FR)AGILES
Serre-Ponçon
An Ambitious Resilience Plan
Lake Serre-Ponçon now faces a major challenge: adapting to the effects of climate change and the gradual scarcity of water resources.
To address this challenge, the Serre-Ponçon Joint Association for Planning and Development (SMADESEP), in partnership with EDF Hydro Méditerranée and all local stakeholders, is implementing a resilience plan designed to ensure the long-term future of the lake and the activities it supports.
The exceptional drought of 2022 served as a wake-up call. The sharp drop in the lake’s water level undermined water sports—which account for 16.3% of all outdoor activities enjoyed in the summer—while highlighting the growing tensions between different uses of water: hydroelectric power generation, agricultural irrigation, drinking water supply, recreation, and ecosystem conservation.
In this context, the goal of the resilience plan is to better anticipate fluctuations in the lake’s water level and adapt the infrastructure to maintain the appeal of Serre-Ponçon.
In practical terms, this plan is based on several areas of focus.
First, it calls for the adaptation of boating and port facilities to ensure access to the lake even during periods of low water, including the creation of new boat ramps and the development of more flexible infrastructure.
It also aims to strengthen coordination among all lake users in order to promote a more balanced and shared management of the resource.
Snow farming
conserving snow to prepare for winter
À Puy-Saint-Vincentsnow doesn’t disappear with spring. The resort relies on “snow farming”, an innovative technique involving the storage of almost 14,000 m³ of snow. At the end of the season, this snow is gathered into an impressive mound some 72 meters long, then covered with insulating materials such as sawdust and geotextile tarpaulins to limit melting throughout the summer.
The system is based on a patented technology developed by a Finnish company and already deployed in some sixty resorts around the world. Puy-Saint-Vincent is a pioneer, becoming the first French resort to adopt it.
In autumn, the preserved snow is redeployed on strategic slopes to secure and accelerate the opening of the ski area. This practical approach limits the need for artificial snow at the start of the season, while optimizing water resource management. A fine illustration of the innovative capacity of the Hautes-Alpes resorts in the face of climatic challenges.
SCALES
Tour de l’Obiou
A vertiginous loop in the heart of Dévoluy
Between Trièves, Dévoluy, and Matheysine, the Tour de l’Obiou is a challenging 4-day hiking route certified as a GRP®. More than just a hike, this wild and diverse trail invites hikers to immerse themselves authentically in the heart of unspoiled nature, while placing respect for the environment at the top of its priorities.
- Pellafol → Bachilianne Chalet
- Chalet de Bachilianne → Tréminis
- Tréminis → Lachaup
- Lachaup → Pellafol
Grand Tour des Écrins
The Legendary Trail Through the National Park
More than just a hike, it’s an immersion into the soul of the Hautes-Alpes—a 13-day trek that combines natural grandeur, mountain heritage, a quest for adventure, and some 194 km.
- Le Bourg d’Oisans → Col de Souchet
- La Grave → Le Monêtier-les-Bains
- Eychauda Pass → Pré de la Chaumette
- The Valgaudemar Crossing
- Valjouffrey → Lauvitel
ICONIC
Tour de France
The Hautes-Alpes
: An Integral Part of the History of the Tour
The Hautes-Alpes are inextricably linked to the history and grandeur of the Tour de France, thanks to the beauty of its landscapes and the remarkable feats of the cyclists that have left their mark on the mountain passes.
Since 1922, the Tour de France has visited the Hautes-Alpes 91 times, making this Alpine region ” one of the most visited of the Grande Boucle “. The names of the legendary cols resonate like an echo: Izoard, Granon, Galibier…
In 2026, the Tour returns to the Hautes-Alpes with a first high-Alpine stage on July 23 between Voiron and Orcières-Merlette (185.5 km), a second stage on July 24 between Gap and Alpe d’Huez, via the Col du Noyer, and on July 25 with a “crazy” finale between Le Bourg d’Oisans and Alpe d’Huez (171.5 km) via the Col du Galibier, the “Roof of the Tour” for 2026, and the Col du Lautaret, the day before the finish on the Champs-Élysées.
The Women’s Tour de France will also be part of the festivities, with one stage in the Sisteronais-Buëch region.
Find all the information about the 2026 Tour de France ‘s route through the Hautes-Alpes here:
OLYMPIC GAMES 2030
In the French Alps, the Southern and Northern Alps have joined forces to create an unprecedented fresco for the 2030 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
At the heart of this alliance, the Hautes-Alpes set the stage for more than twenty freestyle skiing and snowboarding competitions. The venue is Serre Chevalierthe largest resort in the Southern Alps, and in Montgenèvrethe doyenne of French resorts, where riders will take to the skies, their trajectories intersecting against a backdrop of majestic peaks.
Briançonthe citadel of stone, will be the vibrant epicenter. Its Fort des Têtes, aUNESCO World Heritage Site, will be transformed into an Olympic village: a crossroads of cultures, a logistical hub, a forge of energy.
Beyond the spotlight the Games have shone on the Hautes-Alpes, the legacy is immense. They will leave the Hautes-Alpes with tangible improvements, including smoother access and a reimagined transportation system, particularly by rail. The Olympic spirit will not merely pass through the mountains—it will take root there, making the Hautes-Alpes not just a stage, but the center of the world.
