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Embrun and Serre Ponçon lake
Taste the art of living in Embrun overlooking the Durance and Serre-Ponçon lake
Perched on its 80 metre-high rock, Embrun, nicknamed the little Nice of the Alps, because of its particularly mild and sunny climate, offers a magnificent panorama of the Durance valley. A former archbishopric city, its strategic geographical location also explains its historical importance and its economic prosperity until the revolution. A prestigious past, many witnesses of which still persist today and have earned it the label “City and Country of Art and History”. The old town, which looks like Provence, reveals, in fact, a remarkable heritage, a mixture of medieval, archiepiscopal and Provençal architecture: picturesque streets lined with colorful houses, pretty squares decorated with fountains, arched passages, walls decorated with sundials and vast wooded gardens. Not to be missed, the Notre-Dame-du-Réal cathedral, from the 12th and 13th centuries, is one of the most important religious monuments in the French Alps. Nearby, the former keep of the archbishops’ palace, the Brown Tower, now houses a space dedicated to the Park National des Ecrins.
Today, the central position of Embrun in the department, its preserved natural setting, its proximity to the Ecrins National Park and the Queyras Regional Natural Park as well as the diversity of activities it offers make it a flagship destination for Southern Alps.
200 m from the hotel, lovers of water activities will find what they are looking for on the Embrun lake: sailing school, rowing club, canoeing, fishing but also tennis, mini-golf, carousel , games for children, beaches.
And if that's not enough, a little further away, the second largest artificial lake in Europe, Lake Serre-Ponçon, a marvelous expanse of water with a surface area of 3,000 hectares, offers the "sea to the mountain " ! Many activities, nautical or land-based, are possible there. In the listed tourist resort of Savines-le-Lac, you can relax on its beach, indulge in swimming, sailing, fishing but also hiking, mountain biking, horse riding or even hiking. escalation. Hikers will be spoiled for choice. They will be able to take the paths that crisscross the surroundings of the lake and benefit from superb views of the Serre-Ponçon site.
Built on the Durance, the impressive Serre-Ponçon dam, with a height of 123 meters and a width of 650 meters at the base, is the largest earthen dam in Europe!
The Muséoscope du Lac, located at the Serre-Ponçon belvedere, in Rousset, tells the story of the construction of this immense dam.
Do not hesitate to ask us, we will be happy to advise you in discovering our beautiful region.
THE LAKE, BEACH, PLAYGROUND NEAR THE HOTEL
The Embrun Lake is located 200 m from the Hotel, separated by a dike from Serre-Ponçon lake, where the Durance flows, the Embrun lake is the main tourist attraction of Embrun! Unmissable place to relax!
- Shaded, grassy beaches with showers and toilets. The public beaches ("Plages Nord") have been awarded the Blue Flag since 2015. Swimming is supervised in July and August.
- Playgrounds and petanque areas.
- Various water sports and leisure activities.
- The surface area of the lake is 27 hectares.
- The reservoir is guaranteed by a water intake on the Durance,
- A pleasant footpath, aptly named "Au Fil de l'Eau", runs around the lake (2.6 km).
VARIOUS HIKINGS
De La Pisse Waterfall
Max altitude: 1460m | Height difference 320m | Duration 3h30 | Departure from Châteauroux
The Chapelle des Séyères
Max altitude: 2056m | Height difference 470m | Duration 3h15 | Departure Embrun
Morgon Lake and Saint-Pierre Chapel
Max altitude: 1930m | Height difference 300m | Duration 2h30 | Departure Boscodon
The Col de la Rousse
Max altitude: 2147m | Height difference 536m | Duration 4 hours | Departure Crots
La Cabane du Pré d’Antoni
Max altitude: 1840m | Height difference 380m | Duration 2h30 | Departure Réallon
Crachet Lake
Max altitude: 2238m | Height difference 575m | Duration 3h15 | Departure from Crévoux
THE MUSEOSCOPE OF THE LARGEST DAM IN EUROPE
The Muséoscope du Lac traces the history of the construction of the Serre Ponçon dam and the submerged villages. Through a visual and sound journey, come and discover this place conducive to awakening which combines leisure and culture in the same scenic space.
THE COL FARM IN JARJAYES (45 KM)
Privileged contact with all the animals in a wonderful setting.
Discover many species of farm animals (Angora goats, cows, pigs, rabbits, donkeys, ponies, etc.) as well as other curiosities (ostriches, emus, alpacas, llamas, yaks, rare rams, pheasants, etc.). Enjoy a "morning and evening bottle feeding" activity, the mohair wool workshop, the petting area and the children's play area.
THE MARMOT MOUNTAIN AT LE SAUZE DU LAC (20KM)
A moment between sky, mountains and Lake Serre-Ponçon. You will observe marmots and live wild animals, the reconstruction of a prehistoric cave, the discovery of minerals, fossils, 500 butterflies and insects, animal footprints. Discover birds of prey in flight with falcons, Andean condors, eagles, buzzards, vultures... as well as animal shows with wolves, marmots, foxes...
10 UNMISSABLE NATURAL SITES TO SEE AND PHOTOGRAPH IN SERRE-PONÇON
Nature is everywhere in Serre-Ponçon and in some places offers simply spectacular moments. High-altitude lakes, dizzying waterfalls and unusual discoveries are sure to delight your camera and fill your Instagram account... Here's a quick look at the unmissable natural sites to be photographed from every angle!
The hanging oak from Bois Vieux. …
The St Apollinaire lake. …
Lake Siguret. …
The Aiguilles de Chabrières. …
The Pisse waterfall. …
The Liou riverine forest. …
The Fairy Journey. ...
The Pot of Giants. ...
The Parpaillon Tunnel. ...
Sunset on the Lake. ...
INTERSPORT SKI/MTB RENTAL 2 MINUTES FROM THE HOTEL
Intersport Embrun, the sports store you need to rent your bikes