Attractions and Places To See around Crévoux - Top 20

Crévoux offers a variety of hiking trails for all levels. A superb hike suitable for families leads to Lake Sainte-Marguerite, where you can picnic and spot marmots. For more challenging routes, consider the ascent to Mount Guillaume, which offers a fantastic 200-degree view of Lake Serre-Ponçon. The area also boasts the beautiful Crévoux Forest, ideal for walks, and high-altitude lakes like Lake Crachet and Lake Lalatcha for seasoned hikers. You can find more detailed mountain hiking routes in the area on the Mountain Hikes around Crévoux guide.

Crévoux and its hamlets preserve a rich heritage. You can visit the 14th-century Saint-Marcellin Church in Chef-Lieu, unique for its slate-covered onion-domed bell tower. The communal bread oven in La Chalp continues to be used during local festivals, and the Praveyral Watermill is still in working order, once producing flour and walnut oil. Additionally, the Rural Museum near the Saint-Marcellin church traces the valley's past life.

Yes, Crévoux is great for families. The hike to Lake Sainte-Marguerite is highly recommended for its family-friendly nature, offering opportunities for picnics and marmot spotting. The Razis Waterfall, accessible via a family-friendly loop from La Chalp, is another refreshing spot. In winter, the area offers snowshoeing and dog sledding, suitable for family outings.

Beyond hiking, Crévoux is a hub for various outdoor activities. Cycling enthusiasts can tackle the iconic Col de Vars, a frequent passage in the Tour de France, or the challenging Parpaillon trail for gravel and mountain biking. In winter, Crévoux transforms into a 'nature skiing paradise' with alpine skiing, cross-country skiing at the La Chalp Nordic area, and freeride opportunities in the Crévoux Forest. Explore more options on the Road Cycling Routes around Crévoux guide or the MTB Trails around Crévoux guide.

The best time to visit Crévoux depends on your preferred activities. For hiking, cycling, and exploring high-altitude lakes, the summer months offer pleasant conditions. The Crévoux Forest provides shade for walks during this time. For winter sports like skiing, snowshoeing, and dog sledding, the colder months are ideal, as Crévoux is one of the oldest ski resorts in the department.

For breathtaking panoramic views, ascend Mount Guillaume. From its summit, you'll be rewarded with a fantastic 200-degree vista of Lake Serre-Ponçon and the surrounding region. The ascent to the Parpaillon Tunnel also offers magnificent high-altitude landscapes, even if the tunnel itself is not fully passable.

Crévoux is rich in unique natural features. The Crévoux Forest is one of the most beautiful larch forests in the Southern Alps. You can also discover the historic Parpaillon Tunnel, a military tunnel at 2600 meters, or the refreshing Razis Waterfall. High-altitude lakes like Lake Crachet and the more remote Lake Lalatcha offer serene, almost lunar landscapes. Don't miss the Petrifying Springs and Drac Cave, visible from the village access road.

Yes, Crévoux maintains its traditional agricultural character. You can visit Samuel's Farm to enjoy local cheeses and fresh whole milk, and even observe cows being milked. The communal bread oven in La Chalp also continues the tradition of baking and sharing bread during local festivals, offering a taste of local life.

The Parpaillon Tunnel is a historic military tunnel built in the early 20th century at an altitude of 2600 meters, connecting the Durance Valley to the Ubaye Valley. While the ascent to the tunnel offers magnificent landscapes, its condition currently prevents full crossing for safety reasons. It's known for being dark, unpaved, and often containing puddles, pits, and ice shelves, even in summer. It's a popular spot for mountain biking and cycling enthusiasts to reach, but full passage is not advised.

The Col de Vars is a mountain pass located at 2,108 meters, connecting the Ubaye valley with the Embrunais. It is a very well-known and frequent passage in the Tour de France, having been crossed 35 times since 1947. It offers wonderful views and is a popular challenge for road cyclists. You can find specific cycling routes that include this pass on the Road Cycling Routes around Crévoux guide.

While not explicitly designated for wild swimming, Lake Sainte-Marguerite is mentioned as being 'swimmable in summer,' though be prepared for cold temperatures. Lake Crachet, a small high-altitude lake, is known for its clear, shallow waters, which might also offer a refreshing dip on a warm day.

From Crévoux, you can easily access wider regional attractions. The fortified town of Mont-Dauphin, a UNESCO World Heritage site with Vauban fortifications, is only 14km away. The larger city of Briançon, also featuring Vauban fortifications, is about 40km away, offering more historical exploration.