Vallouise-Pelvoux:
The small village of Vallouise-Pelvoux is nestled in the heart of the Écrins National Park, in the Hautes-Alpes department, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. Located in the district of Briançon, it is surrounded by the highest peaks of the Ecrins massif, such as Ailefroide or Pelvoux.
Important center of mountaineering, this locality of the Alps was long an important stronghold of the worship Vaudois, a church resulting from the preaching of Vaudès and very popular in the neighboring Italy. At the end of the fifteenth century, Vallouise experienced significant massacres following the crusade against the Vaud led by the great inquisitor Alberto Cattaneo. It was the King of France Louis XI who put an end to these inhuman tortures.
Today, Vallouise is best known for its unspoilt mountain landscapes, as well as for its ski resort which attracts many visitors and other winter sports enthusiasts. The village also has an important architectural heritage that bears witness to its rich and eventful history.
Vallouise-Pelvoux:
Vallouise is the second alpine mountaineering center in France and is the starting point for numerous hiking, climbing and other whitewater courses. It is also possible to climb glaciers, such as the Barre des Ecrins. The Écrins National Park is full of sites to discover in different ways.
The ski resort of Pelvoux-Vallouise is very family and offers thirty kilometers of slopes. There is also a cross-country ski center, as well as off-piste activities such as snowshoeing, paragliding, ice skating and sledging.
Built in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, the church of Saint-Etienne unveils a beautiful baroque altarpiece, a Pietà, and baptismal font of the first half of the sixteenth century. Not far away, in the hamlet of Grand-Parcher, you can also admire the Saint-André-et-Saint-Lucie chapel dating from the 17th century.
Throughout the village, you will discover some sundials including a Zarbula, named after a 19th century Piedmont dial painter or an early 18th century dial at the Grand Parcher.
Two museums also take place on the town and its surroundings, the hydroelectric museum of Claux, and the silver mines which presents the old economic activities of this part of the Hautes-Alpes.
Vallouise-Pelvoux:
The weekly market is held every Thursday morning. At the beginning of August, on a Tuesday, the village also hosts a craft market with potters' stands, musical entertainment and demonstrations for children and adults.
The great trail des Ecrins takes place in June and goes through the village of Vallouise-Pelvoux. On the program, a pedestrian race of 80 kilometers for 4000 meters of altitude through the mountain.
The storytelling festival takes place at the end of July with storytelling, lively picnics or readings by the fire.
At the end of July, the pottery market of Vallouise. Tableware, decoration, jewelery and sculptures, in stoneware, porcelain, faience or Raku will be presented.
In early August, Vallouise-Pelvoux hosts its street arts festival with shows of all kinds, a garage sale, a boules competition, or a popular dance and a retreat with lanterns.
Place at the Festival des Envoyageurs in August, on the ski resort of Pelvoux-Vallouise. On the program, an eco-friendly festival, concerts, children's shows or a craft market.
Throughout the summer, discover also the famous Festival "Music in Boxes" which offers many concerts throughout the season: classical music, world music, musical hiking and other musical events.
The village of Vallouise-Pelvoux is part of the Pays des Ecrins where many activities and hobbies are worth a visit. In summer, we invite you to visit the Freissinières valley and its famous village of Dormillouse. In the town of L'Argentière-la-Bessée, you can walk in the valley of Fournel and discover in summer the famous reserve of blue thistles.
If you are lovers of whitewater, you will also find in this town a beautiful water sports stadium and a pond. When it comes to swimming, we recommend you go to La Roche de Rame lake to refresh yourself with family or friends.
As for activity, do not miss the resort of Puy-Saint-Vincent to go downhill mountain biking and take the bike park of the resort.
In the Pays des Ecrins, you can also do tree climbing, cani-rando, via ferrata, climbing, mountaineering, canyoning and of course discover the beautiful hiking trails of the Ecrins National Park.
Do not miss to discover the heritage on the territory. You can visit the Silver Mines of Argentière, take part in guided tours of the churches and chapels of the territory, discover the sundials and the history of the Waldensians in Vallouise and in the valley of Freissinière.
Side high-mountain and climbs, paradise is located in Ailefroide. Small village located in the heart of the Ecrins National Park, you will find many accommodations so a beautiful and large campsite located in an exceptional environment.