Your holidays in Arvieux in the Hautes-Alpes.
A ski resort at the foot of the Col d'Izoard, Arvieux has picturesque hamlets, mountain chalets in Clapeyto, and many traditions (see the Panorama of the Queyras).
There are numerous furnished flats for rent along with gîtes and chalets for your mountain holidays in the Queyras Regional Natural Park.
Summary
- Brunissard, largest of the Arvieux hamlets
- Clapeyto and the Casse-Déserte
- Skiing in la Chalp d'Arvieux
- Walks around Arvieux
- Arvieux-ville
- Villargaudin
- Les Escoyères
- The traditions of Arvieux
Brunissard, largest of the Arvieux hamlets
At the foot of the Col d'Izoard, Brunissard as several old buildings: the Evangelical chapel, the communal oven where bread is still made, the bell-tower called the Prosecutor’s Tower, the old school where a typical classroom has been reconstructed, and the Catholic chapel.
Clapeyto and the Casse deserte
At Clapeyto, on the track which leads up to the Col du Lauzon, the summer chalets are a reminder of the time when the mountain pastures were scythed by hand in July and the hay was stored before being brought down in October.
You should also see the unique geological site of Casse-Déserte with its ‘belles demoiselles décoiffée’ (rock pillars which have eroded and have now lost their caps of unweathered stone).
From the Col d’Izoard, the view over the mountain of Font Sancte is stunning.
Along the way you may be lucky enough to see chamois and mountain sheep running along the mountainside, or a secretive fox on the prowl.
Ski at la Chalp d'Arvieux
Below Brunissard, the hamlet of la Chalp offers an ideal ski-resort for families. Children can learn mountain sports like downhill skiing while their parents appreciate not having to queue for ski-lifts (see the separate item on lift pass tariffs)
See the piste map of the Queyras and of the nordic skiing (ski de fond) trails in the Arvieux valley.
Walks around Arvieux
Especially recommended is the climb up to Lac Roue, still known to older folk as ‘the Lake of the Quaking Mound’. In summer you can hike there along the GR5 waymarked trail, in winter you can snow-shoe. It is a peaceful place with picnic tables.
On the GR58 (Tour du Queyras) Lac Souliers, is easy to get to and another lovely place for a mountain picnic. Further afield, you can visit Fort Queyras or the Musée du Soum in Saint-Véran to learn of the fascinating history and way of life of the people of the Queyras.
Arvieux-Ville
With its old arcaded farm buildings, and its Catholic and Protestant churches facing one another, Arvieux lies at the bottom of the valley. There are pretty neighbouring hamlets like Le Coin, La Cassière and Les Moulins, while Le Pasquier and Les Maisons lie on the south-facing slopes.
Villargaudin
Se dorant sur sa montagne Villargaudin, à l'écart d'Arvieux, a conservé de très belles demeures anciennes. Très belle vue sur la vallée du Guil avec Fort-Queyras et sur le bric Bouchet. De Villargaudin des sentiers mènent au col de Fontouse, au Queyron et aux chalets de Furfande.
Les Escoyères
Plus loin, sur le sentier de grande randonnée GR 58 tour du Queyras, le hameau des Escoyères se souvient d'avoir été sans doute la première implantation humaine dans le Queyras. Il montre sur une de ses chapelles des fragments de la fameuse stèle romaine dite "de Bussullus". Son exposition au sud lui permet de conserver des plantes méditerranéennes telles que le pèbre d'ail (la sarriette).
Traditions à Arvieux
Isolated for many years – the Col d'Izoard road was not opened until 1897 – Arvieux, especially with its hamlet of Brunissard, is the place in the Queyras which has best kept its traditions.
