Exploring the Haute-Alpes de Provence: A Rich History and Stunning Landscapes

Did you know that not far from the beaches, shopping, and glitz of the French Riviera is another world? The Southern Alps are a relatively short drive from the Côte d’Azur city of Nice. These mountains offer plenty of options for outdoor enthusiasts, including skiing, hiking, cycling, and incredible sightseeing. However, even Caroline Longstaff, a history buff, was surprised by the World War II history in the Haute-Alpes. Please read Caroline’s article below, which includes details about their road trip through the cols and landscapes of Haute-Alpes Provence.

Haute-Alpes History

After a somewhat perilous, 25-minute, hairpin drive, climbing high above the Serre Chevalier Valley and Chantemerle, where we’re hoping to ski next year, we arrived at the Col du Granon. We’d been recommended to go there to hike, but had no idea about the history in les Hautes-Alpes we were about to discover. When we finally reached the summit, we found ourselves on a surprisingly vast, flat plain, surrounded by breathtaking mountain scenery. The expansive views back across the Serre Chevalier Valley revealed the ski terrain. Across the other side of the vast area where we’d parked was a huge ravine overlooking another series of mountain peaks. And once we’d read the information board, we realized that these mountains were in Italy and that we were standing on a World War II Defence System around the Col du Granon.

Please continue reading here for Caroline’s original article and her photos of this beautiful area.

Skiing in the Southern Alps

Thinking of Skiing in France? Consider heading to Provence’s Southern Alps. Whether you are a keen skier, you probably recognize famous French ski resorts such as Val d’Isère, Courchevel, Chamonix, Méribel and Megève. It may surprise some people that, besides lavender and rosé, Provence has several ski resorts readily accessible from major centres such as Aix-en-Provence, Marseille, and Nice. So, if you are thinking of a ski holiday in France, consider Provence’s Southern Alps for stunning scenery, varied ski resorts, charming alpine villages, and great food. 

One of the best things about skiing in the South of France is the generally predictable snow, sunny climate, and warm temperatures, which make for an enjoyable ski holiday. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert skier, there are slopes to suit every skill level. The French Southern Alps are home to several renowned ski resorts, each offering unique charm and on and off-hill experiences. The resorts provide ski programs for skiers of all levels and have accommodation options suitable for all budgets.

Skiing in the Southern Alps

©OT Serre Chevalier

Snowshoeing in the Alps

Skiing or snowboarding may well be a first “port of call” for winter activity, but don’t forget about options for quieter, “greener,” yet physically challenging, snow activities. Snowshoeing requires no expensive equipment, and there are no queues, clanking ski lifts, or expensive après ski bars. However, that does not mean there are no après activity beverages!

Enjoy the gentle squish of your “tennis rackets. The snowshoes prevent you from sinking up to your ankles in the white stuff. Your “bigfoot footwear” allows you to go wherever you like off-piste. Enjoy the sun, animal prints (including the elusive wolf), and amusing days out for all the family. Snowshoe technology has advanced to the point that the shoes are easy to put on and use. The rackets are also stable in stony or icy terrain. And, “little bigfoot” snowshoes are also available for younger members of the family. Here are some walking trail suggestions in French.

Hiking (Randonée) Mercantour

If you drive just one short hour north of Nice, you’ll find yourself amid deep forested valleys, lush alpine meadows and tall snow-covered mountain peaks. And flowers. There are flowers everywhere. It’s all part of the Mercantour National Park, one of only nine national parks in France. Established in 1979, the park contains over 1,700 hiking trails and 1,123 named mountains. It’s a remarkable area with a wide variety of landscapes and scenery.

The park extends across six valleys, with what seem like countless lakes and rivers. There are two sections: what is called the “heart” or “core”, which is heavily regulated with strict rules to protect the environment, and the “peripheral” zone, which is a bit less regulated and where you will find various mountain villages such as Allos, Saint-Martin-Vésubie, Saint-Etienne and Tende. Mercantour National Park is popular for multi-day hiking adventures.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Full day Wine Tour with the sommelier-guide and 3 winery visits

Discover one of the most famous red wine-producing areas of France, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, with this wine tour! You will start the day with the discovery of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and its history.

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Caroline Longstaffe

A traveller at heart, Caroline says she was most probably born under a wandering star. This English girl lives in California, but has a soft spot for France. After living in Provence for 18 months, she admits that she is now torn between the towns of Uzes and Lourmarin - she cannot decide which is her favourite. During her stay in Provence, Caroline launched her blog Shutters and Sunflowers. Her blog is about passion, about living the journey not waiting to get to the destination.