Welcome to serre-ponçon

Between the  Serre-Ponçon lake and the Pouzenc summit (2898 m) Baratier spans over 1 490 hectares and counts 472 inhabitants. 4 km away from Embrun near the ski  complex of the Orres and Crévoux, this village of the Embnrunais has been able to keep it's historical heritage : a traditional village full of mediterranean fragrances and a true sweetness of life.

The warmth and the hospitality of it's inhabitants have made the fame of the village of which the motto is : "Poor but  proud and good  of heart".

The Serre-Ponçon lake spans over 19 km in th Durance Valley ans over  9 km in the Ubaye valley. The dam built out of alluvial material extracted from the Durance river bed is unique in it's kind.

In order to control the flow of  the wild river "La Durance",the decision was taken in 1955 to build a dam which would both produce electricity and irrigate the lands of provence. The task was finished in 1961. Two villages were destroyed in the process: Savines and Ubaye. Savines has been rebuilt and is now named "Savines le lac".

Today the Serre-Ponçon lake is a 3000 hectares paradise competing with the most fashion seaside resorts. You can practice sailing on optimists, catamarans, windsurfs and even fun board.

Don't hesitate to try water-skiing, kite surfing, pulled buoys, jet ski or the  canoë-Kayak, without forgetting fishing or simply swimming. If you don't want to miss a single piece of the landscape a sightseeing boat tour will give you a breath taking experience.

In this natural preserved space, while the dark blue of the sky competes with the crystal waters of the lake, fully equipped animated beaches alternate with wild untampered bays for everyone's pleasure, while the surrounding mountain tops culminate at 3000m.

Every village has a story, a heritage witness of the past and bearer of the future. In the Embrunais, the Savinois, the  Caturige land, the heritage takes it's roots in the landscape, and the inhabitants share it gladly with their guests. From the Boscodon abbey , an architectural masterpiece of the XIIth century, to the  Embrun Cathedral, the most important monument of the French Alps (XIIth), without forgetting the many hamlet chaples and classified churches, the religious monuments are rooted in the history of the area.

• The Embrun Cathedral (XIIth and XIIth century) and the  Cathedral treasure (4th treasure of France)
• The Boscodon Abbey
• The Brune Tower (XIIth)
• The Crévoux Chruch with it's bulb shaped steeple
• The Chaples of the Cordeliers Convent in Embrun (mural paintings, of the  15th and 16th century)
• Church of the Transfiguration in St Sauveur (XVth and XVIth)
• St Marcellin Church, in Châteauroux (XVIth)
• St Pelade Church (XVIth) in Réallon
• St Michel Chaple