Champoléon

the Valley of dreams

France, Hautes-Alpes 05260

44° 43′ 17″ north, 6° 15′ 42″ east

Coming to the Champoléon gives you the opportunity to come face to face with the wildlife of the high and medium mountains. Protected by the Ecrins National Park, this exceptional fauna includes both Mediterranean species like lizard, ocellated, Provençal vole and relics from the ice age.

Today, more than 350 species of vertebrates live there

Among the birds, the most experienced will be able to observe the masters of the air, the golden eagle and the griffon vulture, the combative alpine niverolle, the tichodrome échelette king of the cliffs.

further down towards the forest is the domain of the European owl

& the black grouse

A heaven for mountain wildlife

Among the birds, the most experienced will be able to observe the masters of the air, the golden eagle and the griffon vulture, the combative alpine niverolle, the tichodrome échelette king of the cliffs.

& the black grouse

Coming to the Champoléon gives you the opportunity to come face to face with the wildlife of the high and medium mountains. Protected by the Ecrins National Park, this exceptional fauna includes both Mediterranean species like lizard, ocellated, Provençal vole and relics from the ice age.

Today, more than 350 species of vertebrates live there

Among the birds, the most experienced will be able to observe the masters of the air, the golden eagle and the griffon vulture, the combative alpine niverolle, the tichodrome échelette king of the cliffs.

further down towards the forest is the domain of the European owl

& the black grouse

A heaven for mountain wildlife

Among the birds, the most experienced will be able to observe the masters of the air, the golden eagle and the griffon vulture, the combative alpine niverolle, the tichodrome échelette king of the cliffs.

& the black grouse

Coming to the Champoléon gives you the opportunity to come face to face with the wildlife of the high and medium mountains. Protected by the Ecrins National Park, this exceptional fauna includes both Mediterranean species like lizard, ocellated, Provençal vole and relics from the ice age.

Today, more than 350 species of vertebrates live there

Among the birds, the most experienced will be able to observe the masters of the air, the golden eagle and the griffon vulture, the combative alpine niverolle, the tichodrome échelette king of the cliffs.

further down towards the forest is the domain of the European owl

& the black grouse

A heaven for mountain wildlife

Among the birds, the most experienced will be able to observe the masters of the air, the golden eagle and the griffon vulture, the combative alpine niverolle, the tichodrome échelette king of the cliffs.

& the black grouse

For the high altitudes the chamois, the ibex which you can follow by GPS

And of course dear marmots

It's a time to see everything with your own feet

A natural activity par excellence, walking is the way to discover our mountains where there is so much to see. The changes in vegetation with altitude, the variation in light from one side to the other, the traces of a fauna whose omnipresence can be guessed, the improbable transparency of the high altitude lakes.

With the many trails available for all levels, mountain hiking is the activity that appeals to the greatest number of people: families, couples, solitary people, adventurers, etc. Dozens of day hikes await you, both round trips as well as tours lasting several days in the heart of our territory.

Lacs-de-Crupillouse

This long climb will test your will and your calves, but at the top there is a treasure and the promise of a grandiose panorama of the Pointe des Estaris (3086m) and the Sirac (3440m) which dominates the Pré de la Chaumette, where the Drac Blanc is born.

15.6 km

8h 30min

1350 m of ascent

Difficult

Refuge du Pré la Chaumette

Beneath the overwhelming splendour of the Sirac, the valley’s dominant peak at 3,440 m, the Pré de la Chaumette is like a precious case protected from the rest of the world. Keep your eyes peeled! Chamois and ibex often roam the bars. This loop follows the right bank of the Drak Blanc to the refuge of the Pré de la Chaumette. The evolution at the bottom of the valley makes for a great view of the mountain fauna that inhabits Champollion: chamois, ibex, marmots, yellow-billed ducks, diving ducks… On the way back, you will never fail to be amazed by the powerful Prelle waterfall, which gushes down into the Drac Blanc!

9.3 km

3h 00min

340 m of ascent

Medium

Valestrèche

From the Beaumes car park, follow the signs for 'Gourette' and 'Val Estreche'. The path climbs along a pretty mélézin. On the balcony path, take time to observe the opposite side. Be discreet and keep your eyes open, you are in chamois territory.

5.4 km

2h 45min

643 m of ascent

Medium

Tour des villages

This family-friendly route leads from hamlet to hamlet to help you discover this splendid valley. It is also a good opportunity to observe the birds that frequent the hedges and copses along the route.

5.5 km

2h 00min

141 m of ascent

V. Easy

Refuge du Tourond

A pleasant family walk in the Champoléon valley, rich in flora and butterflies, with two beautiful rewards: the comfort of the Tourond chalet and the Pisse waterfall in the background.The Tourond valley is one of the kingdoms of the majestic ibex, but it is also the world of the little "tardon", a lamb raised under its mother in the spring. After a well-deserved snack at the Tourond refuge, a path allows you to contemplate the beautiful Pisse waterfall before returning to the starting point by the other bank of the valley's torrent.

6.0 km

2h 30min

322 m of ascent

Medium

Lacs-de-Crupillouse

This long climb will test your will and your calves, but at the top there is a treasure and the promise of a grandiose panorama of the Pointe des Estaris (3086m) and the Sirac (3440m) which dominates the Pré de la Chaumette, where the Drac Blanc is born.

15.6 km

Duration 8h 30min, 1350 m of ascent, Difficult

Refuge du Pré la Chaumette

Beneath the overwhelming splendour of the Sirac, the valley’s dominant peak at 3,440 m, the Pré de la Chaumette is like a precious case protected from the rest of the world. Keep your eyes peeled! Chamois and ibex often roam the bars. This loop follows the right bank of the Drak Blanc to the refuge of the Pré de la Chaumette. The evolution at the bottom of the valley makes for a great view of the mountain fauna that inhabits Champollion: chamois, ibex, marmots, yellow-billed ducks, diving ducks… On the way back, you will never fail to be amazed by the powerful Prelle waterfall, which gushes down into the Drac Blanc!

9.3 km

Duration 2h 45min, 643 m of ascent, Medium

Valestrèche

From the Beaumes car park, follow the signs for 'Gourette' and 'Val Estreche'. The path climbs along a pretty mélézin. On the balcony path, take time to observe the opposite side. Be discreet and keep your eyes open, you are in chamois territory.

5.4 km

Duration 2h 45min, 643 m of ascent, Medium

Tour des villages

This family-friendly route leads from hamlet to hamlet to help you discover this splendid valley. It is also a good opportunity to observe the birds that frequent the hedges and copses along the route.

5.5 km

Duration 2h 00min, 141 m of ascent, Very Easy

Refuge du Tourond

A pleasant family walk in the Champoléon valley, rich in flora and butterflies, with two beautiful rewards: the comfort of the Tourond chalet and the Pisse waterfall in the background.The Tourond valley is one of the kingdoms of the majestic ibex, but it is also the world of the little "tardon", a lamb raised under its mother in the spring. After a well-deserved snack at the Tourond refuge, a path allows you to contemplate the beautiful Pisse waterfall before returning to the starting point by the other bank of the valley's torrent.

6.0 km

Duration 2h 30min, 322 m of ascent, Medium

Lacs-de-Crupillouse

This long climb will test your will and your calves, but at the top there is a treasure and the promise of a grandiose panorama of the Pointe des Estaris (3086m) and the Sirac (3440m) which dominates the Pré de la Chaumette, where the Drac Blanc is born.

15.6 km

Duration 8h 30min, 1350 m of ascent, Difficult

Valestrèche

From the Beaumes car park, follow the signs for 'Gourette' and 'Val Estreche'. The path climbs along a pretty mélézin. On the balcony path, take time to observe the opposite side. Be discreet and keep your eyes open, you are in chamois territory.

5.4 km

Duration 2h 45min, 643 m of ascent, Medium

Tour des villages

This family-friendly route leads from hamlet to hamlet to help you discover this splendid valley. It is also a good opportunity to observe the birds that frequent the hedges and copses along the route.

5.5 km

Duration 2h 00min, 141 m of ascent, Very Easy

Refuge du Tourond

A pleasant family walk in the Champoléon valley, rich in flora and butterflies, with two beautiful rewards: the comfort of the Tourond chalet and the Pisse waterfall in the background.The Tourond valley is one of the kingdoms of the majestic ibex, but it is also the world of the little "tardon", a lamb raised under its mother in the spring. After a well-deserved snack at the Tourond refuge, a path allows you to contemplate the beautiful Pisse waterfall before returning to the starting point by the other bank of the valley's torrent.

6.0 km

Duration 2h 30min, 322 m of ascent, Medium

Refuge du Pré la Chaumette

Beneath the overwhelming splendour of the Sirac, the valley’s dominant peak at 3,440 m, the Pré de la Chaumette is like a precious case protected from the rest of the world. Keep your eyes peeled! Chamois and ibex often roam the bars. This loop follows the right bank of the Drak Blanc to the refuge of the Pré de la Chaumette. The evolution at the bottom of the valley makes for a great view of the mountain fauna that inhabits Champollion: chamois, ibex, marmots, yellow-billed ducks, diving ducks… On the way back, you will never fail to be amazed by the powerful Prelle waterfall, which gushes down into the Drac Blanc!

9.3 km

Duration 2h 45min, 643 m of ascent, Medium

Lacs-de-Crupillouse

This long climb will test your will and your calves, but at the top there is a treasure and the promise of a grandiose panorama of the Pointe des Estaris (3086m) and the Sirac (3440m) which dominates the Pré de la Chaumette, where the Drac Blanc is born.

15.6 km

Duration 8h 30min, 1350 m of ascent, Difficult

Duration 2h 45min, 643 m of ascent, Medium

5.4 km

From the Beaumes car park, follow the signs for 'Gourette' and 'Val Estreche'. The path climbs along a pretty mélézin. On the balcony path, take time to observe the opposite side. Be discreet and keep your eyes open, you are in chamois territory.

Valestrèche

Duration 2h 00min, 141 m of ascent, Very Easy

5.5 km

This family-friendly route leads from hamlet to hamlet to help you discover this splendid valley. It is also a good opportunity to observe the birds that frequent the hedges and copses along the route.

Tour des villages

Duration 2h 30min, 322 m of ascent, Medium

6.0 km

A pleasant family walk in the Champoléon valley, rich in flora and butterflies, with two beautiful rewards: the comfort of the Tourond chalet and the Pisse waterfall in the background.The Tourond valley is one of the kingdoms of the majestic ibex, but it is also the world of the little "tardon", a lamb raised under its mother in the spring. After a well-deserved snack at the Tourond refuge, a path allows you to contemplate the beautiful Pisse waterfall before returning to the starting point by the other bank of the valley's torrent.

Refuge du Tourond

Duration 2h 45min, 643 m of ascent, Medium

9.3 km

Beneath the overwhelming splendour of the Sirac, the valley’s dominant peak at 3,440 m, the Pré de la Chaumette is like a precious case protected from the rest of the world. Keep your eyes peeled! Chamois and ibex often roam the bars. This loop follows the right bank of the Drak Blanc to the refuge of the Pré de la Chaumette. The evolution at the bottom of the valley makes for a great view of the mountain fauna that inhabits Champollion: chamois, ibex, marmots, yellow-billed ducks, diving ducks… On the way back, you will never fail to be amazed by the powerful Prelle waterfall, which gushes down into the Drac Blanc!

Refuge du Pré la Chaumette

for a walk in two words!

It’s time to put on your shoes and go

It is the smallest part of the hikes.

It is the smallest part of the hikes. It’s time to put on your shoes and go for a walk in two words!

Places not to miss

It is a center for the interpretation of alpine pastoral cultures, a place of reception, exhibitions, research and cultural events for all audiences and livestock and alpine professionals.

Museum

Maison du Berger

The gallery with an opening to the world. Céline Naël has settled in Champoléon. However, nothing predestined this great traveller to become sedentary. But she didn't count on love. Her passion for painting did the rest. At the entrance of the hamlet of Borels, in the Reymond house, she set up her CélinArt studio in mid-June 2022.

Art Studio

CélinArt

The list is not exhaustive and these products can be found, for the most part, in the shops, on the markets, at producer’s and the restaurants.

A holiday away from home is an opportunity to taste a different kind of cuisine. The specialities of the region are to be savoured: tourtons, ravioles and donkey ears, cheeses and dairy products, pies, charcuterie and meat, jams, sea buckthorn, home-made beers, genepi.

One of the most interesting part is the food

Plan your stay

Choose what suits you best. A room in a hotel or a whole house. The view from either window will be breathtaking — the mountains, the forest and the droma sky.

Les Borels

Auberge des Ecrins

Les Borels

La Pierre De L'Ours

Maison Marie

Les Martins

A valley full of surprises

There is not a single day when the landscape is the same as yesterday. A white blanket covers the valley in winter, fields of wildflowers in spring, waterfalls whipping up in summer, and a yellow filter covers the forest in autumn.

Design by Taya Mihejeva

Resources

P.S.: The dog's name is Lily and she belongs to a friend of mine

Project made in educational purposes only with Sascha Vasiliev and Anna Melnik’s Creative Layout Cource.

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Behance

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