Molines-en-Queyras
Mountain vacations in the Hautes Alpes
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Molines is a mountain resort in the Queyras region of the Hautes Alpes. It's famous for its transitons and the Saint-Simon chapel near the Sommet Bucher.
Croix de mission à Molines-en-Queyras (Hautes Alpes)
The origin of its name
Even today, the name Molines is a reminder of all the mills scattered along the banks of the Aigues Blanche and Agnelle rivers.
On the contrary, some claim that its name evokes the soft soil of its meadows.
But this latter interpretation is not universally accepted.
Vue panoramique de Molines-en-Queyras et de ses montagnes (à droite, le pic de Rochebrune)
Mountain resort with seven hamlets
During your mountain vacations, you'll discover Molines-en-Queyras, a village resort in the Hautes Alpes region, next to Saint-Véran (see the Queyras panorama), which shares with it the Chaîne de Beauregard ski area (see the panorama of the downhill ski slopes). The commune is made up of seven hamlets:
- Molines,
- La rua
- Gaudissard,
- Clot la Chalp,
- Pierre-Grosse (1926 meters),
- Le Coin,
- Fontgillarde (1990 meters).
An eighth hamlet, Costeroux, lost in the mountains at 2100 meters, hasn't been inhabited for 150 years.
To find out more about the 7 hamlets , click here.
Le temple de Fontgillarde à Molines-en-Queyras
Saint Romain church
The church of Saint Romain has a distinctive bell tower and houses a remarkable carved wooden altarpiece, adorned with gilded moldings and several paintings depicting the Savior on the Cross.
The transitons of Molines
At the end of the 15th century, a number of Molines families wrote the first "transitons", notebooks in which they recorded the state of the rural roads they maintained in the mountains.
They then recorded the names of the consuls elected to manage the village, and little by little, the most significant events.
As this practice continued until the end of the 19th century, it provides a wealth of information on the organization that prevailed, and on disasters such as epidemics, fires, avalanches and floods.
It also recounts the destruction of Protestant temples in the 17th century and the arrival of the dragons, after which people were "changed" (converted).
Molines-en-Queyras, chapelle Saint Simon
Saint Simon chapel
Near the village of Molines-en-Queyras is the Saint Simon chapel, built into the mountain in the 16th century.
After being destroyed by Protestants during the religious wars in the Hautes Alpes, it was rebuilt around 1680, then destroyed again by an avalanche and rebuilt in 1864.
It is located near the Bucher summit at 2200 meters altitude, in the Queyras Regional Nature Park.
Its name comes from a hermit, Simon, who is said to have lived there.
Bucher summit
A magnificent walk not to be missed, with 360° views of the surrounding mountains and Mont Viso.
Bucher summit
sommet Bucher
Pierre-Grosse
Pierre-Grosse
A charming, authentic little hamlet, where you'll discover pretty larch-wood staves hidden away in the narrow streets.
The route starts from Pierre Grosse, crosses the hamlet of La Chalp and climbs to St Véran. Magnificent views of the Queyras peaks.
Lacs de l'Eychassier à Ristolas (Queyras)
Hiking around Molines
Among the hikes on offer, you can choose to :
- climb the Gardiole de l'Alp (2786 m), a beautiful mountain overlooking Molines,
- to the Col Agnel (2744 m) and on to Italy, or ...
- from the Agnel refuge, to Pain de Sucre (3208 m), Foréant (2618 m) and Egorgeou (2390 m) lakes, Eychassier (2881 m) lakes
Sports and tourism vacations in the Hautes Alpes, Molines-en-Queyras has it all.