Arvieux
Your vacations in Hautes Alpes in Arvieux
Arvieux en Queyras in the Hautes Alpes, a ski resort at the foot of the Col d'Izoard, its hamlets, its Clapeyto chalets, its traditions (see the Queyras panorama).
In Arvieux en Queyras, you can rent furnished apartments, gîtes and chalets for mountain vacations in the Regional Nature Park.
Un des cadrans solaires d'Arvieux
Arvieux
Arvieux-Ville, with its characteristic old farmhouses and arches, and the Catholic church and Protestant temple opposite, occupies the valley floor with the neighboring hamlets of Le Coin, La Cassière and Les Moulins, while Le Pasquier and Les Maisons occupy the slope.
Le village d'Arvieux avec son église au fond de la vallée
Brunissard, Arvieux's largest hamlet
At the foot of the Col d'Izoard, Brunissard is Arvieux's largest hamlet. It boasts a number of ancient buildings: the evangelical chapel, the oven where bread is still baked, the campanile known as the Tour du Procureur, the former school where an old-fashioned classroom has been reconstructed, and the Catholic chapel.
Tour du Procureur à Brunissard à Arvieux (Queyras)
La salle de classe à l'ancienne dans le musée de l'école de Brunissard
Downhill skiing at La Chalp d'Arvieux
Between Arvieux and Brunissard, the hamlet of La Chalp offers a Queyras ski resort ideal for families, where children can learn mountain sports such as downhill skiing while their elders enjoy the pleasure of not having to queue for the lifts. (see prices)
La station de ski de la Chalp d'Arvieux
Cross-country skiing in Brunissard
Magnificent cross-country ski trails in a magical setting, where the Grand Beal is held every year.
See the Queyras ski map and the Arvieux cross-country ski map.
Ski de fond au Planet
Coucher de soleil sur la montagne enneigée un soir d'hiver. Au premier plan les pistes de ski d'Arvieux.
Le hameau de Villargaudin un jour de neige.
Villargaudin
Villargaudin, on the outskirts of Arvieux, has preserved its beautiful old houses. Beautiful views of the Guil valley, Fort-Queyras and bric Bouchet. From Villargaudin, footpaths lead to the Col de Fontouse, the Queyron and the Furfande chalets.
Les Escoyères
Further on, on the GR 58 long-distance hiking trail around the Queyras, the hamlet of Les Escoyères recalls being probably the first human settlement in the Queyras. One of its chapels features fragments of the famous Roman "Bussullus" stele. Its southern exposure means that it is home to Mediterranean plants such as garlic pebre (savory).
Le hameau des Escoyères
Clapeyto, Furfande and Casse déserte
In Clapeyto, on the path leading to the Col du Lauzon, the chalets d'estive (summer cottages) are a reminder of a time when the mountain was mown by hand in July and the hay stored before being brought down in October.
In Furfande, the summer cottages are a reward after a hike from "Le coin"
Also worth seeing: the unique geological site of Casse-Déserte, with its beautiful damselflies that the weather has finally mussed.
From the Col d'Izoard, the view of the Font Sancte mountain is breathtaking.
Along the way, you may be lucky enough to come across chamois and mouflons running through the mountains, or to catch a glimpse of the stealthy fox in search of adventure.
Les chalets d'estive de Furfande. Fidèle à la tradition on joue aux "boules carrées", en fait des cubes, sur ses terrains en pente. A droite la crête de Croseras.
Traditions in Arvieux
Long off the beaten track of the Hautes Alpes - the Col d'Izoard road wasn't opened until 1897 - Arvieux, and especially the hamlet of Brunissard, is the Queyras village that has best preserved its traditions.
La fête de l'école de Brunissard : les femmes sont en gounelle, la robe traditionnelle du Queyras, et portent le châle, les hommes sont en pantalon et gilet noirs.
Le lac de Roue l'hiver
Walks around Arvieux
In summer on foot along the GR 5, in winter on snowshoes, you'll need to climb up to Lac de Roue, still known to old-timers as "le lac de la motte tremblante". You'll be seduced by the serenity of the setting, and there are plenty of picnic tables.
On the GR 58 (Tour du Queyras), the easily accessible Lac de Souliers is another destination for a picnic in the mountains. Further afield, a visit to Fort Queyras or the Musée du Soum in Saint-Véran will give you an insight into the history and way of life of the Queyras.
