Serre Chevalier
Despite being one of the most northern points of the Provence Cote d'Azur region the area benefits from a true Mediterranean Alpine climate with over 300 days of sunshine every year.
Simply enjoy the beautiful scenery with the majestic Ecrins peaks or try out one of the many activities available.
The villages of Chantemerle and Villeneuve at Serre Chevalier have all the shops and restaurants you will need during your holiday but in any case, the larger fortified town of Briançon is only a few miles away.
The area is opened to walkers, mountain bikers, paragliders and to anyone who enjoys a picnic or a meal in one of the numerous mountain restaurants...
Several of the celebrated ’Grandes Randonnées’, or long-distance European footpaths, cross through, over and make their way around the Serre Chevalier valley. These include the Tour of the Haut Dauphiné and the famous Via Alpina. The Guisane valley is on the Route des Grandes Alpes, a road which starts at Lake Geneva and crosses 16 Alpine passes to finish 600km further south, in the town of Menton on the shores of the Mediterranean.
History has left Serre Chevalier with a rich heritage and it acts as a beacon for the cultural identity of the region. Among the visible signs of this identity are the guardian-like 15th-century clock towers built in the Lombard Romanesque style that appear in virtually all of the small villages in the valley.
Top summer activities to experience in Serre Chevalier
Please note Peak Retreats do not book any activities and most activities are payable therefore the below is just for information. More detailed information and how to book can be found on the tourist office website
Here are some ideas of activities, however there is plenty more on offer!
White-water activities
Serre Chevalier is the paradise of rafting, kayaking, hydrospeed and canyoning in the French Alps. With its source at the Col du Lautaret, the Guisane follows the Serre Chevalier valley. The Guisane doesn’t have any steep-sided gorges or raging torrents, and this makes it the ideal place for an introduction to mountain water sports or simply as a refreshing change. But beware: for all its placid and calm appeal, it is still an Alpine river and you will be surprised by how fast and strong it is as it reaches Briançon.
Casset lake
Ideal for a family swim or a relaxing picnic day in an exceptional setting. It is located just below the D1091 (route du Lautaret).
Biobaths - organic bathing
Organic bathing consists of a central zone for bathing and a lagoon zone where plants play their role as filters and purifiers. The lagoon also enables the development of a veritable flora and fauna ecosystem.
No water treatment, no chemicals...just naturalness.
Baignade Bio de Chantemerle - in the heart of the verdant Parc des Colombiers, the Baignade Bio combines aquatic space and ecological exemplarity. Its water is as pure and soft as that of a lake. The pool is surrounded by a lawn with wooden games, a picnic area, table tennis and beach volleyball. Bathing suit mandatory.
Baignade biologique de la Salle les Alpes - biotope lake. Swimming area: 2400m.
Mountain biking in Serre Chevalier valley
THE paradise for experienced mountain bikers. There are no less than 9 downhill trails, 9 X-Country routes and 9 enduro routes between the peaks. Moguls, whoops and banked turns litter the trails, accessible by calf power or with the help of the 5 ski lifts open in summer.
The fun zones are specially designed areas where you can discover different mountain biking techniques or improve your skills. The Rolling Zone features Pumptracks, Dirt lines, a Trials zone and a BMX track. The MTB Zone is a mini-course where you'll find, in condensed form, all the situations you might encounter on your bike: scree, narrow passages, whoops, bumps, banked turns, small steps, etc. In short, the perfect place to start out.
Via Ferrata - Grimp'in Forest
Via Ferrata: a bucolic frame for an easy route which will make you discover a panoramic sight of the park of Schappe (in the centre of Briançon), the ramparts of the old town, without forgetting Prorel.
This beautiful Via special Ferrata family, accessible to the youngest due to the equipment, will allow you safely to discover the activity.
Mountain kart
From the top of the Serre Chevalier cable car, you'll be at the controls of a three-wheeled racer, creating your best trajectories in the snow. No engine, no pollution, just you, your tribe and the joy of sharing a moment in the great outdoors!
300m vertical drop
2,000m of descent
Minimum height 1.40m
Covered ice rink in nearby Briancon
A covered and air-conditioned ice rink, in the Olympic dimensions (60x30m). Open all year round.
Thermal spa in nearby Monetier Les Bains
Over 4500m2 spa consisting of:
Grands Bain zone: the outside pool, open all year round, covers over 300m2 and is equipped with a wide variety of water features and effects: fountain jets, river chute, relaxation zones and bubble banket.
The indoor pool: over 300m2 and is fed by naturally heated hot water with a Jacuzzi, water-massage course, bubble beds, underwater shower columns, micro-bubble zones and spouts. Around the indoor pool, there are 3 traditional Roman bath features (frigidarium, tepidarium, caldarium), steam room, musical grotto, steam/fog makers….
Romano-Irlandais (Romano-Irish) zone: exclusive zone reserved for those over 18, with saunas, steam rooms, outside pool, a range of private shower facilities, terrace-solarium with hot tub and waterfall.
Health & Beauty Institute’: the ‘Health & Beauty Institute’ offers you a range of made-to-measure and 1 to 5-day treatment programmes: hydrotherapy care using natural mineral water (water-massage baths, jet showers…), face and body treatments, luxurious scrubs, wraps and toning treatments.
Grimp'in Forest adventure park in nearby Briancon
A leisure centre for the whole family. Picnic tables are at your disposal and a BBQ to enjoy the park. An adventure course with more than 100 games.
Paragliding
Baptisms of two-seater Paragliding and individual or collective education.
Beginning in confirmed.
Bowling
Bar - Snacking - south-facing terrace - Luc Alphand piste
4 bowling lanes
TV-free Wifi
Ice rink
A covered and air-conditioned ice rink, in the Olympic dimensions (60x30m), for your sports or playful practices. Only, in the family or between friends. Here we slide all year-long winter as summer.
Zip line
Between the Grande Serre (2,491m) and the Grade Alpe (2,193m) lies Serre Chevalier's Giant Zipline. Enjoy a 360° panoramic view of the Ecrins National Park and the surrounding mountains. With a 1,100m descent, you can travel alone or as a duo, and reach speeds of over 100km per hour!
Serre Chevalier valley restaurants and bars
In Serre Chevalier Valley you can find a lot of restaurants, pubs and cafes. You can taste typical dishes of the mountains, gastronomical cooking or order a pizza. There is a vast choice and you can visit restaurants along the valley in each village.
Altitude restaurants
BRIANCON: Chalet de Serre Blanc – Le Chalet de Pra Long
CHANTEMERLE: Le Café Soleil – Le Chalet Hôtel – Le Relais de Ratier – Le White
VILLENEUVE: Le Bercail – Le Pi Maï – L’Echaillon
MONETIER: Le Flocon – Le Peyra Juana
Serre Chevalier has lots of shops and amenities for your holiday including mini markets, bakers, butchers, sports shops, tabac, post office, doctors, pharmacy.
Getting to Serre Chevalier, France
By road
Driving distance from Calais to Serre Chevalier approx. 975km (613 miles) (approx. 9hrs50). Take A36 through Reims, Dijon A6 Maçon, Lyon then A432?A48 to Grenoble. Take N91 then follow signs for Serre-Chevalier.
By rail & air
The nearest train station for Serre Chevalier is Briancon, 6km away.
5 international airports are nearby. We don't book flights, we invite you to do your own research.
Geneva Airport to Serre Chevalier is roughly 295km, approximately 3hr 15 mins
Chambery Savoie Mont Blanc Airport to Serre Chevalier is roughly 174km, approximately 2hr 15 mins
Grenoble Alpes Isere Airport to Serre Chevalier is roughly 154km, approximately 2hr 15 mins
Lyon-Saint Exupery Airport to Serre Chevalier is roughly 251km, approximately 2hr 45 mins
Turin Airport to Serre Chevalier is roughly 125km, approximately 1hr 30 mins
Private taxi transfers
Private taxi transfers from airports and train stations are pre-bookable with Peak Retreats. See our airport & station transfers page for more information.
News and Events 2024 (Serre Chevalier and nearby towns)
News:
Markets in Briancon - every Wednesday and Sunday.
Events:
- The 1001 nights musical in Briancon: from 25th July-13th August 2024 - musical comedy with an orchestra of musicians, actors, dancers, singers and circus performers who combine their talents and humour in the show "Les 1001 nuits", presented in a grandiose setting enhanced by mapping and lighting creations. Directed by Jean-Luc Lejeune. Bring warm and/or waterproof clothing,
- Tour de France: 2nd July 2024 - for the 4th stage, Pinerolo-Valloire, the cyclists will cross the Franco-Italian border to descend to Briançon via the Montgenèvre pass before crossing the Serre Chevalier valley from end to end. Briançon will be the first French town to be crossed by the 2024 Tour,
- World Climbing Championship: 12th July-19th July 2024 - a completely free show that fascinates specialists and novice spectators alike. For over 30 years, Briançon has been a leading organiser of the Mondial de l'Escalade, which now includes an IFSC (International Federation of Sport Climbing) World Cup stage every year, bringing together the best international difficulty climbers in front of almost 10,000 spectators!
- Swing Festival in Monetier less Bains: 15th August 2024 - Hetty Kate is an English-born singer who grew up in Melbourne, Australia With an international career spanning more than a decade, Hetty has been described as one of the finest swing-style singers on the scene today.
- Jazz Festival in La Salle les Alpes: 22nd August 2024,
- Medieval Festival in Briancon: 28th June-30th June 2024 - organised by the association le cœur de Vauban, the medieval festival will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2024.
