“Sauvage” Exhibition
Departmental Museum
The Musée Départemental in Gap invites you to listen, understand, and rethink our place in the natural world. As soon as you enter, a “beast”—3 meters wide, 6 meters long, and 2 meters tall—welcomes you into its depths.
You’ll need to listen closely to hear the sounds of animals. In another room, bones, insects, plants, and fluids… all bear witness to the diversity of life. The end of the tour highlights the importance of each species’ role in biodiversity.
The white-clawed crayfish, the Alpine queen, and the yellow-bellied toad are warning us of the threats they face. An old Bakelite telephone—familiar to older generations and sure to amuse the younger ones—will allow you to contact them.
Open to the public from November 5, 2026, to September 19, 2027
Winter is com
—book now!
After a record-breaking winter, the Hautes-Alpes are heading into the 2026–2027 season on a positive note. As the cold sets in and the first snows blanket the peaks, a crucial period is beginning for vacation bookings. Early indicators remain very encouraging.
Reservations: A Winter in Three Acts
Booking habits are changing and now reveal three major trends in purchasing behavior.
- 35% of stays were booked before the end of summer. The trend toward “early bookers ” continues to grow year after year. Vacationers plan ahead to secure good accommodations and ski lessons before availability runs out.
- 45% of reservations are made in the fall. This is a pivotal period, when a large portion of winter visitor numbers is determined. This is a major challenge, which explains the extensive promotional campaigns currently being carried out by ADDET05 and its partners across Europe.
- 20% of trips will be booked during the season. This clientele is more opportunistic, keeping an eye out for last-minute deals, weather forecasts, and snow conditions.
A Positive Outlook, With an Eye on the Holiday Season
At this point, the booking outlook is favorable for the entire winter season, from January through the final weeks of winter.
However, particular attention is being paid to the end-of-year holidays. The fact that New Year’s Eve falls on a weekend—which is less conducive to long stays—could weigh on reservations. For now, the overall occupancy rate for tourist accommodations stands at 55% for this two-week period.
The home stretch before winter!
Cultural Heritage
Small Towns with Character
The French national brand and label “Petites Cités de Caractère” promotes small rural communities with a rich architectural heritage and a strong history .
Since 2018, Serres and Garde-Colombe have obtained the label.
Restoration, heritage preservation, and the revitalization of historic town centers have thus been carried out.
According to residents and visitors alike, this has boosted the towns’ appeal and increased tourist traffic. Today, the villagesof Orpierre and Rosans are embarking on this journey and aim to join the national network of “Petites Cités de Caractère.”
History of the Past
To the beat of Latin music
In Aiguilles, in the Queyras region, you’ll discover—as you wander around—houses that are nothing like typical mountain chalets. And for good reason!
Inthe 19th century, following a series of fires that destroyed the village, many residents of Les Aiguillons—merchants and entrepreneurs—set out to try their luck overseas. Villas, fountains, the town hall, and the cemetery tell the extraordinary story of residents who made their fortunes far from home.
The Maison Duclos, also known as the Maison Eiffel, tells a love story. Once the press pavilion for the 1895 Bordeaux World’s Fair, it was dismantled and reassembled in Aiguilles. And let’s not forget the ruins of the Château de l’Auche and its Renaissance style.
A journey through the modernity of a social system and the bourgeois lifestyle of the time.
The tour guides of the Hautes-Alpes offer stories that are as rich as they are surprising all year round.
The Hautes-Alpes in the Flemish Press
In the Mood for Skiing
The magazines *Knack Weekend* and *Libelle*, two leading publications in the Flemish press, feature winter vacations in the Southern Alps prominently.
A 20-page insert in the middle of the two magazines, entirely dedicated to Queyras, Puy Saint Vincent, Orcières Merlette 1850, Serre Chevalier, Vars, and other partners in the Southern Alps.
A ski vacation in the snow at high altitudes, in the major ski areas, where you can experience a thrill-filled getaway with that extra touch of charm that makes all the difference: the light, the wide-open spaces, the relaxed lifestyle, and the unique character of the Southern Alps.
God save the snow (and the King)!
The Southern Alps Set Out to Conquer the British Market.
Four days, two major events, and an exceptional Olympic champion as their ambassador: the Southern Alps are pulling out all the stops to charm London.
Goal?
Promote the mountain range across the Channel, from industry professionals to snow sports enthusiasts.
Listex – October 15 and 16
Winning Over the Pros
For the fifth consecutive year, the collective is setting up shop at the London International Snowsports Trade Exchange (LISTEX), the must-attend event that brings together more than 300 industry decision-makers.
A tailor-made team to represent our mountains, consisting of the Hautes-Alpes Development Agency, Puy Saint Vincent, Serre Chevalier, Montgenèvre, the Snow Chill Hotel, and the Nice-Côte d’Azur Tourist Office.
Two days of intensive B2B meetings to forge new partnerships with British tour operators.
London Snow Show – October 17 and 18
Inspiring the general public
A change of scenery! The collective is setting up shop at the 50th edition of the London Snow Show, alongside an expected 12,000 visitors.
After meeting with industry professionals, it’s time to connect directly with future vacationers: to give them a taste of the Southern Alps and, above all, to inspire them to cross the English Channel this winter.
The ambassador
Charlotte Bankes , the golden asset of the Hautes-Alpes
Born in England, she grew up in Puy Saint Vincent that she first strapped on a snowboard at the age of 4. Although she now competes for Great Britain, Charlotte has a special attachment to the resort in the Hautes-Alpes where she grew up. So it was only natural that she came to present her gold medal at the invitation of Puy Saint Vincent.
Son palmarès :
- Olympic Champion (Milan-Cortina 2026)
- Two-time world champion (2021, 2023)
- 3 Crystal Globes & 28 World Cup victories
I compete under the British flag, but it was in Puy Saint Vincent that I learned to ride. That’s where it all began—with my friends from the club and my brothers, the training sessions, and my first competitions. Those mountains are a part of me. So seeing them again in London is a nice nod to my story. After all, I have one foot on each side of the English Channel… and both on my board!
Discovering the Croustillous of the Alps
P.A.T.
On Thursday, October 15, local elected officials, representatives of consular organizations, chefs, and agricultural partners visited the Croustillou des Alpes company in La Saulce.
The latest addition to the High Alps’ specialty foods, the croustillou is handmade in a newly opened workshop. The gluten-free recipe comes in 8 flavors: goat cheese, Reblochon with bacon, zucchini with basil, tomato with basil, green olives with rosemary, chorizo, smoked trout with dill, and truffle.
Stéphane Arnaud and Jean-Louis Pellegrin gave a presentation on their workshop, their expertise, and their products, while discussing opportunities for collaboration and short-chain sourcing.
Mad Jacques 2026
The highest-altitude trek
Repentant travelers, city dwellers craving some greenery, and weekend adventurers who work during the week—the Mad Jacques concept is designed just for you!
Les 10 et 11 octobre, c’est entre Guillestrois et Queyras que le rendez-vous est donné.
A 2-day hike, kilometers of trails through mountains turning autumn colors, friends to party with, local cheese…
For thesecond year in a row, the Hautes-Alpes region, in partnership with Mad Jacques, provides the backdrop.
The 2026 edition is sold out. But don’t panic! La Mad Jacques returns in 2027 to the Champsaur Valgaudemar.
Descent from the Alpine pastures
Grenoble to the Sound of Cowbells
This weekend, cows will come down from the mountains to the downtown area of Grenoble. Behind this somewhat unexpected event in the city lies a desire to remind people that the mountains surrounding the city are a place rich in talent and flavors.
The Hautes-Alpes invite you to join them on October 10 in the capital of the Isère department.
For several years now, the Hautes-Alpes region has been represented at the festival and has taken part in the festivities. In the food court, run by the Bleu du Queyras association, you can sample cheeses and other accompaniments.
Take a bite out of a Pomme de Haute Durance PGI apple with the Pommes de la Durance association.
The Chazelaine company, based in the town of La Grave, will introduce you to its products made from the treasures provided by its sheep. Making a snow globe out of sheep’s wool is sure to delight the children.
Le Dévoluywill showcase its local products.
The Southern Alps at the Orange Velodrome in Marseille
The Alpes du Sud Collective at the Elucéo Fair
For two days, the Southern Alps will be hosting representatives from companies in the Southeast with a clear goal: to incorporate more mountain destinations into the vacation and leisure packages they offer their employees.
Le Dévoluy, Puy Saint Vincent, Vars La Forêt Blanche, the Pays des Écrins, Pra Loup, and Val d’Allos—along with the 4-star hotels La Caserne in Briançon and La Robéyère in Embrun—Alpes Idées Séjours shares a booth with CSE elected officials.
This allows them to interact directly with the people who design, host, and bring these trips to life. Since 2018, the Collectif Alpes du Sud has been conducting in-depth work with the CSEs. With this latest edition of Eluceo, the region will have participated in more than forty CSE meetings over the past nine years.
Gapen’cîmes
A Preview of the End of the Trail Running Season in the Hautes-Alpes
As the venue for numerous championships, the Gapen’cîmes welcomes more and more runners every year who come to take on the mountains of Gap. Stunning courses wind through the hills of Saint-Mens and overlook the city of Gap for the shorter races; the longer ones pass through the Charance mountains and traverse preserved natural areas.
From the 1.4-kilometer kids’ trail run to the 50-kilometer “Superhero Challenge,” the 2026 edition features a total of 8 courses and 4 challenges. Julien Michelon, ambassador for the Elite Hautes-Alpes club, will be attending the event on October 3–4.
Roc d’Azur
The Hautes-Alpes Are All About Mountain Biking and Gravel Riding in Fréjus
Champsaur, Dévoluy, Orcières-Merlette 1850, Le Queyras, Serre Chevalier, Puy Saint Vincent, Sisteron, the Alpes Provençales, and Réallon, in partnership with the Development Agency, will once again be participating in Europe’s largest mountain biking event (100,000 visitors over five days).
The Roc d’Azur
October 7–11, 2026, in Fréjus
Each region, in partnership with bike parks and event organizers, will promote the opportunities for adventure that the Hautes-Alpes have to offer.
In addition, 36 athletes from the Hautes-Alpes will represent the Hautes-Alpes team in various races.
Natexpo
International Organic Products Fair
The Hautes-Alpes region will be represented at the Natexpo trade show in Lyon on September 28 and 29 , alongside Acanthis, the Fromagerie de la Durance, OOlution, Karandja, Herbiolys, Flore Alpes, and the Huilerie des Alpes .
For companies in the Hautes-Alpes region’s medicinal and aromatic plant sector, this presents an opportunity to connect with 7,000 visitors from around the world.
The industry currently comprises 100 companies with a combined revenue of 10 million euros, providing 150 jobs and covering 400 hectares of farmland.
For two days, visitors and industry professionals at the Végét’Alpes event gather in a space featuring larch wood, wool from the Valgaudemar spinning mill, and displays highlighting the Haut-Alpes region’s commitment to traditions, respect for craftsmanship, and the ingenuity of its people.
Farmers’ Gatherings
The herds are back!
On September 26 and 27, in Saint-Léger les Mélèzes, the farming community invites you to join them.
Livestock shows, a farmers’ market, demonstrations, a petting zoo, vintage tractor exhibitions, activities, and a festive evening are the key ingredients of the 2026 Rencontres Paysannes.
Saturday: Charolais and Limousin cattle show, herding dog demonstrations, cooking workshops, and plenty of entertainment: inter-village games, “manure bingo,” “toro piscine,” an antique tractor show, and a DJ night
Sunday: Spotlight on the Abondance and Montbéliarde dairy breeds, cheese-making demonstrations, a chance to discover local products, a cooking show, a parade of vintage tractors, a cattle auction, and various family-friendly activities.
You've viewed 12 items out of 123