Serre Chevalier Summer Festivals
In summer concerts, markets and outdoor events liven up the valley's villages, drawing hikers and mountain bikers into the Hautes-Alpes mountains.
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Serre Chevalier
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City
ℹ️Practical info — Serre Chevalier
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Use the free shuttle buses running between the valley villages to avoid parking issues.
- Soak in the thermal hot springs of Le Monêtier-les-Bains after a day on the slopes.
- Explore the UNESCO-listed Vauban fortifications in the nearby historic town of Briançon.
- Purchase your ski passes online in advance for discounts and to skip the morning queues.
- Be prepared for rapidly changing weather conditions at the high-altitude Col du Lautaret pass.
🍽 Food
🍽
Tourtons
Try these traditional fried and stuffed pastries at local bakeries.
🍽
Tartiflette
A hearty cheese and potato dish served generously at mountain restaurants in Villeneuve.
🍽
Genépi liqueur
Enjoy this popular alpine herbal digestif at local bars after your dinner.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
🛍
Briançon Old Town
Browse the historic streets for local crafts, art, and unique alpine souvenirs.
🛍
Local Valley Markets
The well-suited place to buy regional mountain cheeses and artisan cured meats.
🧘
Écrins National Park
Features pristine, quiet trails for snowshoeing in winter or peaceful summer hikes.
🧘
Guisane River Paths
Enjoy a calm and scenic walk along the riverbanks connecting the resort villages.
Water temperature…
Serre Chevalier is a major alpine valley in the Hautes-Alpes department, encompassing a series of villages and hamlets from Briançon to Le Monêtier-les-Bains. Its ski area is one of Europe's largest, featuring 250 kilometers of slopes that cater to all levels, particularly famous for its high-altitude larch forest skiing which provides excellent visibility and snow protection. The region's geography allows it to enjoy a Mediterranean-influenced climate with 300 days of sunshine, while its northern exposure ensures reliable snow cover throughout the season. Beyond skiing, the valley is steeped in history, featuring traditional stone architecture and the natural hot springs of Monêtier. In summer, it transforms into a hub for road cycling, being close to iconic Tour de France climbs like the Galibier, and serves as a primary access point for the Écrins National Park.
- Location: Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France
- Top sights: Fort des Têtes · Collégiale Notre-Dame-et-Saint-Nicolas · Les Grands Bains du Monêtier
- Nearby: Briançon (8 km)
- Population: ~2.500
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | -7 | -7 | -3 | 2 | 6 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 5 | -1 | -6 |
| Rain mm | 69 | 54 | 67 | 61 | 90 | 71 | 58 | 59 | 59 | 75 | 89 | 79 |
Live webcam – Serre Chevalier
See what it looks like near Serre Chevalier right now.
Saint-Chaffrey: Place du Téléphérique · 2.6 km · Open webcam on Windy · Webcams provided by Windy.com
Geography
Facts
- The ski resort was officially inaugurated in 1941
- The highest skiable point is Pic de l'Yret at 2830m
- 61 ski lifts connect the different valley sectors
- Monêtier-les-Bains features 37°C natural thermal springs
- Key stop on the GR5 long-distance hiking trail
- Home of the legendary downhill skier Luc Alphand
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
A day in the city
Pick weather + travel mode, get a concrete day plan.
09:00→14:161.5 km walk5 places0/5
Day budget: ≈ 15–21 €Entries 18€ · Transport 0€
Start your day in Briançon by exploring the UNESCO-listed Cité Vauban, where history comes alive in every alley. After visiting the impressive collegiate church, the path leads you across the dizzying Asfeld Bridge directly into the heart of the Vauban fortifications. At midday, enjoy the climb to Fort des Têtes, a strategic masterpiece overlooking the valley. The afternoon ends peacefully on the edge of the Écrins National Park, where you can enjoy the fresh alpine air and the panorama of the surrounding peaks in total tranquility.
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🚶 5'0.11 km
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10:02 · 47'
Collégiale Notre-Dame-et-Saint-Nicolas
Admire the monumental towers of the church.
🚶 8'0.27 km
🚶 14'0.57 km
🚶 14'0.55 km
09:00→15:2916.9 km ride5 places0/5
Day budget: ≈ 26–35 €Entries 18€ · Transport 12€
Cycle through the picturesque valley of Serre Chevalier, starting from the heart of Briançon. The path leads gently uphill along the Guisane river, passing lush meadows and charming mountain villages like Chantemerle. At midday you reach Monêtier-les-Bains, where you can relax in the famous hot springs of the Grands Bains after your sporting effort. Spend the afternoon in the quiet mountain village, visiting the local church and enjoying the cool mountain air before starting your leisurely return.
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🚲 29'4.37 km
🚲 18'2.46 km
🚲 63'9.93 km
🚲 4'0.16 km
09:00→17:0243.5 km drive6 places0/6
Day budget: ≈ 27–37 €Entries 24€ · Transport 8€
This car tour takes you from the historic walls of Briançon to the icy heights of the Lautaret pass. After a morning walk through Cité Vauban, drive up to Fort du Randouillet for the perfect overview. At midday, relaxation awaits in the hot springs of Monêtier before the journey leads to Col du Lautaret. There you will visit Europe's highest botanical garden and marvel at the alpine floral splendor. End the day in the picturesque mountain village of Le Casset, famous for its traditional architecture.
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🚗 8'1.36 km
🚗 63'18.13 km
🚗 48'13.52 km
🚗 3'0.12 km
🚗 38'10.41 km
Sights in the town Serre Chevalier (13)
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Serre Chevalier ski area?
It is one of France's largest areas with 250 km of slopes extending across Briançon and three other villages.
What can you do after skiing?
Visit the Grands Bains du Monêtier, a thermal center with natural hot water and glacier views.
Is the area snow-sure?
Yes, thanks to many north-facing slopes and an extensive snow-making system, the season is reliable from December to April.
Are there cultural attractions?
Briançon, part of the area, is home to Vauban fortifications which are a UNESCO World Heritage site.
What does Serre Chevalier offer in summer?
It is a paradise for mountain bikers (downhill park), hikers, and rafting enthusiasts on the Guisane river.
Serre Chevalier: where is it located?
Serre Chevalier is located in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France.
Serre Chevalier: what is there to see?
Highlights include Fort des Têtes, Collégiale Notre-Dame-et-Saint-Nicolas, Les Grands Bains du Monêtier.
Serre Chevalier: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Serre Chevalier: why is it worth visiting?
Serre Chevalier is a major alpine valley in the Hautes-Alpes department, encompassing a series of villages and hamlets from Briançon to Le Monêtier-les-Bains.
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