Local insider guide · Summer
Briançon and its valleys: what to see and do around Serre Chevalier
Heritage, authentic villages & day trips from Pramorel
« Briançon is just 5 minutes from Pramorel, and yet you often feel like you have barely scratched the surface. Its colourful lanes, its ramparts, its markets... It is a town that rewards those who take the time. And beyond, the wild Clarée valley, the unspoilt Queyras, Italy just around the corner, hidden gems waiting to be discovered. Why not take the time to explore these treasures that so few tourists ever find? »
Sandrine & Philippe
Owners of Chalet Mont Milo
What is there to visit around Briançon in the Hautes-Alpes? The Vauban Citadel, the Vallée de la Clarée, the Queyras and nearby Italy all make for wonderful day trips. From our chalet rental in Serre Chevalier Valley, all these excursions are within an hour's drive.
☀️ Briançon — UNESCO-listed Vauban Citadel
At 1,326 metres altitude, Briançon is the highest town in Europe. Perched at the crossroads of five valleys, it has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008 for its Vauban fortifications, a masterpiece of military mountain architecture built between 1692 and 1723.
Visiting Briançon means discovering one of the most beautiful fortified towns in the Alps, just 5 minutes from Chalet Mont Milo.
The Vauban Citadel — Town of Art & History
3 km of ramparts · Forts & bridges · Colourful lanes
Colourful lanes, sundials, gargoyles, fountains and sculpted doorways, the historic citadel is a journey through three centuries of history. The Pont d'Asfeld and the forts of Salettes, Trois-Têtes and Dauphin complete this unique defensive system, unrivalled anywhere else in Europe.
👉 Visit the Vauban Citadel — information & booking
The market — Wednesday & Sunday mornings
Rue Colaud · Covered market in the 15/9 district · From 8am
Local producers, Hautes-Alpes cheeses, charcuterie, honey and wild flowers. Our weekly ritual, arrive early for the best cheeses.
Our suggestion · A day in Briançon
What to do in Briançon in one day?
🌅 Morning
Visit the Vauban Citadel, colourful lanes, gargoyles, sundials and ramparts. Climb up to the Fort du Château for a breathtaking view over the five valleys. Allow 1h30 on foot from the Porte de Pignerol.
🍽️ Lunch
Lunch in the town centre, Le Gavroche or Le Carpe Diem for local cuisine in a historic setting. Wednesday and Sunday morning market on Rue Colaud for Hautes-Alpes cheese lovers.
☀️ Afternoon
Two options depending on your mood, a stroll through the Parc de la Schappe with its reflecting pool and centuries-old trees, or a ride up on the Prorel gondola for panoramic views over the valley.
Our tip
Head up to the Vauban Citadel in the evening, the golden light illuminates the ramparts, it is the perfect time to enjoy the old town with fewer tourists and have an aperitif looking out over the valley. Allow 1h30 for a complete walk around.
Your cycling base in Serre Chevalier
Chalet Mont Milo — direct access to legendary climbs
For a cycling holiday in Serre Chevalier, Chalet Mont Milo is your ideal base, Galibier, Granon, Izoard and Lautaret accessible directly from the chalet, free 22 kW e-bike charging, secure bike storage and Accueil Vélo certification.
Perfect for a chalet rental for up to 10 guests — 160 m² of private space, sauna, games room and panoramic terrace facing the peaks.
👉 Discover Chalet Mont Milo Check availability & book your stay
☀️ Vallée de la Clarée — hiking, high-altitude lakes and unspoilt nature
The Vallée de la Clarée is considered one of the most beautiful valleys in the French Alps, a pristine gem just 20 minutes from our family chalet in Serre Chevalier.
Just 20 km from the chalet, the Vallée de la Clarée has been a protected natural site since 1992. Over 300 km of marked trails, more than 30 high-altitude lakes and timeless alpine hamlets, one of the most beautiful valleys in the Southern Alps.
High-altitude lakes — the finest in the Hautes-Alpes
Over 30 lakes · Crystal-clear waters · Panoramic views over the Cerces
From Lac des Béraudes to Lac Laramon, via Lac de Chavillon at the Col des Thures, the top 10 lakes of the Clarée is a programme in itself. Waters of extraordinary purity that mirror the peaks of the Cerces massif.
Névache & the alpine hamlets
1,600 m altitude · Medieval chapels · Sundials
Perched at 1,600 m, Névache is the heart of the valley. Chapels with medieval frescoes, sundials, bread ovens, exceptional rural heritage. In July and August, free shuttles run up the valley to protect this unique natural site.
Mont Thabor — for experienced hikers
3,178 m · Starting from Névache · 360° panorama
Starting from Névache, the Mont Thabor is one of the finest summits accessible from Serre Chevalier Valley. A 360° panorama over the Écrins, the Cerces and Mont Blanc for seasoned walkers.
☀️ Queyras and Saint-Véran — villages and unspoilt nature
45 minutes from Briançon via the Col de l'Izoard, the Queyras Regional Natural Park is one of the most unspoilt areas in the French Alps. Saint-Véran, at 2,042 metres altitude, is the highest inhabited village in Europe and one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France.
Visiting the Queyras means discovering one of the most authentic and preserved territories in the Alps, accessible within an hour from our chalet in Briançon.
Saint-Véran — centuries-old chalets & sundials
2,042 m · Most Beautiful Villages of France · Wood crafts
Traditional larch timber houses, 24 painted sundials by the celebrated Piedmontese craftsman Zarbula, woodworking crafts, the Musée du Soum, a journey into the rural life of the high mountains. The village has preserved its soul through the centuries.
Artisans & producers of the Queyras
Wood sculptors · Alpine cheesemakers · Génépi producers
Château-Renard Observatory — a night under the stars at 3,000 m
2,930 m altitude · Booking required · Maximum 8 guests per night
The Paul Felenbok Observatory, nestled at 2,930 metres altitude beneath the Pic de Château-Renard, is one of the highest observatories in Europe, and one of the clearest skies on the continent. Observation nights are organised by booking, a tour of the facilities, dome observation session, overnight stay at the refuge and sunrise at the summit. An unforgettable experience for all ages from 8 upwards.
☀️ Italy from Serre Chevalier — Montgenèvre, Piedmont and day trips across the border
The Italian border is just a stone's throw from our chalet rental for 8 guests. The Col de Montgenèvre (1,850 m) opens onto Piedmont, Italian alpine villages, transalpine cuisine and a completely different atmosphere just a few kilometres away. Clavière and Cesana Torinese are the first stops on this instant change of scenery.
From Pramorel, Italy is less than 15 minutes away by car, an instant change of scene right on the chalet's doorstep.
Did you know?
The Col de Montgenèvre is the oldest road pass in the Alps, it was already used by Roman armies. Today it is an open border, and Italy is less than 15 minutes from the chalet.
Le Relais de la Poste — Cesana Torinese
1h from the chalet · 5 courses · Wine · Coffee · ~€30
Our secret address in Italy — Le Relais de la Poste in Cesana Torinese offers a generous 5-course menu with wine and coffee included for just under €30. Authentic Piedmontese cuisine, a family atmosphere, warm service, unbeatable value for money. An address we share only with our guests.
Summer guides — explore further
Alpine art of living
