{"id":777866,"date":"2026-08-12T09:35:17","date_gmt":"2026-08-12T07:35:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hautes-alpes.net\/guides-celebrations\/"},"modified":"2026-08-12T09:35:48","modified_gmt":"2026-08-12T07:35:48","slug":"guides-celebrations","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.hautes-alpes.net\/en\/guides-celebrations\/","title":{"rendered":"Guides’ Celebrations"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Home<\/a><\/span> Guides’ Celebrations<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n

Guides’ Celebrations<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
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Tradition and the Passing Down of an Iconic Craft<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every summer, the valleys of the Hautes-Alpes pay tribute to those who bring the mountains to life every day: mountain guides and leaders. These festivals bring together professionals, families, and mountain enthusiasts for traditional ceremonies: outdoor Mass, the blessing of ropes and ice axes, parades through the villages, and more. The festivities are often complemented by activities such as rock-climbing demonstrations, introductory sessions, craft markets, and concerts. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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The Origins of the High-Alpine Tradition<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

This profession, which was initially practiced alongside farm work, became more established throughout the19th<\/sup> century with the rise of mountaineering tourism.The history of the Hautes-Alpes mountain guides dates back to 1828. Two residents of Vallouise, Alexis Liotard and Jacques-\u00c9tienne Math\u00e9oud, guided a French officer to the summit of Mont Pelvoux. <\/p>\n\n

In 1909, the \u201cFraternelle des Guides et Porteurs de Pelvoux\u201d was founded in Vallouise, a predecessor of today\u2019s \u00c9crins Guide Association. Based on mutual aid among mountain professionals, this associative model spread to other valleys in the Hautes-Alpes.They then developed their own festival, while retaining a shared ritual: the blessing of ropes and ice axes, a symbol of protection before a new season. <\/p>\n\n

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Gallica bnf.fr<\/div><\/div>

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The Most Iconic Guide Festivals in the Hautes-Alpes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The \u00c9crins Guides and Tour Leaders Festival in Ailefroide<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Organized since 1909 by the \u00c9crins Mountain Guides Association, the festival is held every summer in the hamlet ofAilefroide<\/a><\/strong>, in the municipality of Vallouise-Pelvoux, in the heart of the \u00c9crins National Park<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the program: a Guides\u2019 Mass, a blessing of ropes and ice axes in honor of missing mountaineers. A \u201cmountaineers\u2019 village\u201d featuring booths from the PGHM and the French Alpine Club, rock-climbing demonstrations, followed by a m\u00e9choui and an outdoor music concert. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Loic Vivien-Raguet<\/div><\/div>

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The La Grave Guides’ Festival<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the foot of La Meije<\/strong>, the village of La Grave<\/a><\/strong> pays tribute to its mountain guides every summer. The program includes: the laying of a wreath of flowers in front of the guides\u2019 office, an outdoor mass, the blessing of ropes and ice axes by the guides in period costumes, followed by a country-style meal and a festive afternoon. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The \u201cFaites de la montagne\u201d<\/em> event, usually held the night before, sets the tone with introductory workshops<\/strong> at an altitude of 3,200 meters at the Glaciers de la Meije cable car, led by local guides.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Alpes Photographies<\/div><\/div>

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The Brian\u00e7on Guides and Leaders Festival<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Every year, the Brian\u00e7on Mountain Guides Association<\/a>, in collaboration with the mountain rescue services, organizes its own festival for mountain guides and tour leaders. It is traditionally held on a Sunday in early August. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Vauban City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, invites the public to the Asfeld Bridge for free activities. Climbing, a zip line over the Durance Gorges, rappelling from the bridge, and a musical aperitif are on the program. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Loic Vivien-Raguet<\/div><\/div>

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Loic Vivien-Raguet<\/div><\/div>

Loic Vivien-Raguet<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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