Discover chorges

Chorges, Serre-Ponçon ideally situated between the lake of Serre-Ponçon and the National Park of Ecrins, Chorges offers you all the pleasure of the sea to the mountain.

In an exceptional framework all the elements are favourable to  practise all kind of sports, from nautical to paragliding, excursions to VTT and many more…

Beautiful sceneries to admire, the fauna and flora of National Park of Ecrins to discover, typical villages to visit, lots of country products to savour…to suit to the taste of all!

Excellent view of the lake, the vineyards of the Durance, the “ Demoiselles Coiffées”…

The verdant hills, varity of cultivations, nearly 3000m summits for the hikers…

• Dam of Serre-Ponçon :

Here we are talking about the biggest artificiel dam of Europe. Baie of chanteloube with its viaduc of Prégo Dio immerge into high water, with its unfinished historique railway track intented to connect Chorges and Barcelonnette.

• Baie St Michel (chapel) :

It is known as "la petite chapelle St Michel" constructed in XVIIème centuary at the "hameau de la Couche", and which was build on high plateform and this primonetarily saved the chapel from sinking when the water raised during the openning of the dam.

• Montains of Chorges (green pasture) and the pass of la Gardette (hiking area) :

Beautiful vue on the valley of Chorges, the lake of Serre-Ponçon and the surrounding mountains.

• Aiguilles de Chabrières (hiking area) :

Superb panorama of 2135m of altitude on the bassin of Durance, the lake of Serre-Ponçon and the National park of Ecrins. Table of orientationd at your disposal as soon as you arrive at the second chairlift.

• Mont Colombis and its orientation table :

Exceptionel vue on the lake of Serre-Ponçon.

• Dancing floor of Demoiselles

Coiffées of Théus and Demoiselles Coiffées of Sauze (geological wonder ) : Like gigantic candles protruding from a hat the demoiselles coifféesis a geologic wonder which takes place exclusively in ancient morrain which are transported by glaciers where calcaire filled waters flow, with the time it ascent by capilarity to the surface. The big block of stones stop and slow down the process of ascension, allowing the calcaire to diposit and ciment the structure.

• Orientation table of Curattes :

Orientation table of 360° towards the lac and surrounding mountains.

• National Park of Ecrins (Hiking, fauna, flora) :

A natural territory, open to all with strict rules to abide by. One could acces from the hameau of Gourniers.

• Lake of St Apollinaire :

On the feet of Aiguilles de Chabrières, this small lake, originating from the glaciers is an exceptional phenomena in this region. A great place for Swimming and fishing !

• Giant jars of Gourniers (geological wonder) :

Paths erroded by torrents, a natures interpretation of the hameau of Gourniers.

In the heart of Hautes Alpes, Between Provence and high mountains, near to Serre-Ponçon, the biggest lake in the south of Alps.

You could practise all kind of nautical sports

Fishing and swimming, on a surface of 3000 hecters; as well as rafting and kayak-canoeing on live waters of a convivial Durance or on a dynamic Ubaye.

Casual or passionate hiker, you would not resist for long, the call of cimes: l

• The pass of Gardette 2125m,
• The Piolit 2463m, The Pousterle 2506m,
• The Aiguilles de Chabrières 2403m,
• The Grand Morgon 2327m will entice you with its mind-blowing landscapes.

The valley of Gourniers will open its door to the verdant space of the National Parc of Ecrins, which undoubtedly remains a paradise for the hikers.

Circuits are available at the Tourist office:

• A round about circuits around Chorges
• Valley of l'Avance, 250 km well indicated iteneray (topo guide with map on sale for 3 €)

In primarily agricultural vocation, the area abounds in natural and authentic artisanal products, manufactured according to the ancestral tradition:

You will find rich and creamy farm cheeses with the milk of cow, of sheep or goat, flavoured honey from variety of flora, the pork-butcheries, jams with wild and scented bays, the tortas and tourtons salted or sweetened, sprinkled with whole wine which are raised on the slopes of the Valley of the Durance…

You could find these products on direct sale at the local manufacturers and artisans or in the market held on Sunday at Chorges. In the month of july and august the market is held on sunday morning.