Departement Hautes-Alpes hotels - Book hotels in France at great rates

The Département Hautes-Alpes is in south eastern France in the Region Provence-Alpes-Côte d`Azur which has some of the highest mountains in France such as 4,102 meter Barre des Ècrins. Briancon claims to be the highest town in Europe at 1,300 meters above sea level. Its strategic importance is witnessed in the amazing fortifications constructed by Vauban. However Vauban also built the church of Notre-Dame in the 17th Century. The main winter sports resorts are Montgenévre and Serre-Chevalier .

The small town of Embrun is perched on a cliff high above the valley of the Durance and the church of Notre-Dame is worth a visit as there are some excellent examples of stained glass and sculpture. Gap is the main town and straddles the Route Naopleaon which was the route taken by Napoleon when he journeyed to Paris in 1815. The most impressive exhibit in the Départements-Museum is a 17th Century mausoleum.

The Vallouise is a tributary valley of the Durance and has fascinating fauna and flora. Mountain climbers gather at Ailefroide. The Pelvoux-National Park makes an interesting full day excursion and if your route takes you along the RN 538 you should visit the “Palais Idéal” The 15 meter long palace was created by Ferdinand Cheval in his free time towards the end of the 19th Century.

Population: 133 000 (2006)

Main towns: Briancon, Gap, Embrun