In this new article, I take you to discover a very pleasant little town, located in the heart of an exceptional region and which promises you beautiful discoveries. We go to visit Gap and its surroundings. Located at the gates of the Ecrins National Park, the town of Gap is surrounded by exceptional nature, a rich heritage and breathtaking landscapes. In this article, we will see things to do and see in Gap but also in the surrounding area. You will certainly be surprised by this cute, lively and brightly colored city as we like them in the south of France. A taste of Provence in the heart of the Alps, which will delight both mountain dwellers and city dwellers.
- The heritage of Gap and its surroundings
- Activities to do in Gap and its surroundings
- Practical tips for visiting Gap
- Where to sleep in Gap?
The heritage of Gap and its surroundings
Historic city center and cathedral of Gap
Visiting the old town is one of the first things to do in Gap. This one will indeed charm you with its medieval plan and its cobbled streets, lively and lined with colorful houses. At the heart of the old centre, Place Jean Marcellin and its fountain, surrounded by brightly colored houses will immerse you in an atmosphere that is both Alpine and Mediterranean. Every Saturday, a farmer's market invites you to discover local flavors; in fine weather, the cafes and restaurants surrounding the square set up their terraces on the pedestrian area of the square, allowing you to enjoy a break in the sun, in peace.
As you leave Place Jean Marcellin via Rue du Colonel Roux, don't miss admiring the facade of the town hall and its interior staircase, typical of XNUMXth century architecture.
A few streets further on, you can also visit the Notre-Dame-et-Saint-Arnoux cathedral and its nearly 70-metre bell tower, built in the XNUMXth century in a neo-Gothic style on the ruins of an ancient Roman temple. dedicated to Apollo. The originality of its facades is due to the use of stones of different colors, coming from several quarries.
Departmental Museum of Gap
A few steps from the old centre, in the Parc de la Pépinière, the departmental museum of Gap offers you a free visit, ideal for learning more about the local culture. This presents collections of furniture, works of art, archaeological pieces, stuffed animals and herbariums, all from the Hautes-Alpes department.
The domain of Charance
When you visit Gap, make a detour to the Domaine de Charance, a few minutes from the city center. Former residence of the bishops of Gap, its castle now houses the Maison du Parc National des Ecrins, an agricultural eco-museum and the National Alpine Botanical Conservatory.
Covering nearly 220 hectares, the park has superb Italian and English terraced gardens, a lake and remarkable botanical collections. If you are with your family, a fun treasure hunt is offered to you in the forest of the estate.
Medieval village of Tallard and its castle
12 kilometers from Gap, the old town of Tallard will immerse you in a medieval atmosphere. Established in its current location in the XNUMXth century, the village was surrounded by ramparts and moats until the XNUMXth century. The moats have now disappeared, but the ramparts and vestiges of the Middle Ages can still be seen inside the historic centre.
Built in the XNUMXth century, the Saint-Grégoire de Tallard church is listed as a Historic Monument. It is dedicated to Saint Grégoire d'Amnice, evangelizer of the Southern Alps. Inside, you will discover baptismal fonts and organs dating from the XNUMXth century, Italian works of art as well as a gold bust representing Saint-Grégoire.
The Château de Tallard is also worth a visit when you visit Gap and its surroundings. Erected on a promontory dominating the village and the Durance valley, you can still admire the remains of a fortified castle built in the XNUMXth century by Arnaud de Trians, the first lord of Tallard.
Consisting of a dwelling and towers, it was enlarged in the XNUMXth century by Bernardin de Clermont. A new Renaissance dwelling and a Flamboyant Gothic style chapel were added to the medieval part, giving the building a unique character. The Tallard tourist office offers guided tours by reservation.
Théus and his Haired Ladies
22 kilometers from Gap, the perched village of Théus, dominated by a ruined fortified castle, offers a remarkable panorama of the surrounding landscape. From the summit of Mont Colombis, also located in the town, enjoy a breathtaking view of the Serre-Ponçon lake; a take-off area for paragliders is also accessible there.
The most original curiosity of Théus is most certainly the ballroom of the Demoiselles Coiffées, also called "fairy chimneys". These classified geological formations are made up of stone columns surmounted by a rock, which naturally protects them from erosion.
Activities to do in Gap and its surroundings
Outdoor activities
If you are keen on hiking, the surroundings of Gap are full of privileged natural spaces in which you will find a multitude of paths, to do on foot or by bike. The mountain of Céüze, for example, is located 20 kilometers from Gap and is internationally renowned for its climbing wall; it also offers many possibilities for walks. The Parc des Ecrins also allows you to discover sublime landscapes.
Mountain lake in Orcières-Merlette
Several ski resorts surround Gap: Ancelle, Saint-Léger-les-Mélèzes, Super Dévoluy or Orcières-Merlette welcome you summer and winter to indulge in the pleasures of winter sports or summer activities (mountain biking, hiking, etc.). .).
Read the article: Where to ski in the Southern Alps?
The Gap-Bayard site, 7 km north of Gap, offers 50 kilometers of cross-country ski trails in winter. In summer, the site becomes a huge golf course also offering fitness trails.
If you continue on the road, you will also find the beautiful valley of Champsaur-Valgaudemar.
Tallard aerodrome: Europe's leading aerial leisure center
Are you a thrill seeker? Why not treat yourself to a first flight in a helicopter, ULM or hot air balloon, or even dare to take a parachute jump?
The latter is one of the most beautiful parachute jumps in France!
Ideally located between the Alpine peaks, the Ecrins massif and the Serre-Ponçon lake, the Gap-Tallard aerial leisure center offers you all these activities and promises you an unforgettable moment in the heart of the region's exceptional landscapes.
Practical tips for visiting Gap
When to visit Gap?
One of the main advantages of Gap and its region is the length of sunshine they enjoy throughout the year. Among the highest in France, you have a good chance of seeing the sun during your visit to Gap, whatever the period.
So, let's focus on the temperatures throughout the year. Gap is located in the heart of the Alps, on the border between the mountain climate and the Mediterranean climate. The winters are therefore cold and the snow is very present. So if you want to enjoy winter sports, choose a visit to Gap between the months of January and March. Otherwise, I advise you to opt for a visit on sunny days, from June to at least September.
How to come to Gap?
Gap is easily accessible by car. Indeed, from the south of France, a highway arrives only a few kilometers from the city. If you are coming from the north, then you will have to take the motorway to Grenoble, then reach Gap via the Lus-la-Croix-Haute pass, a magnificent road by the way!
If you want to go to Gap by train, it is possible but you strongly risk having to make one or more changes. For example, to come from Paris, you will have to make a change in Marseille.
Where to park in Gap?
Several solutions are available to you if you go to Gap by car. Personally, there are two car parks that I use regularly. The first is located at the entrance to the city center, so an ideal location for visiting Gap, it is the Desmichels car park.
You can also use the car park located close to the station. A little further from the city center, you can still get there on foot.
Other car parks are also available, as well as parking spaces in the city.
If you wish to have more information to prepare your stay in Gap, you can directly consult the website of the city of Gap.
How long to visit Gap?
The visit of the city itself will not take you much time. Indeed, there are few museums or sites to visit. You can therefore plan a day in Gap to go around it: stroll in the center and its alleys, visit the museum and the cathedral. You will find many squares, bars and restaurants throughout the city to take full advantage of the friendly atmosphere.
On the other hand, if you want to visit the surroundings of Gap and discover the hikes and other outdoor activities to do, then I advise you to plan a little more time than a day. A minimum of 3 days will leave you enough time to visit Gap, visit the surroundings such as Tallard or Théus, and possibly plan a nice hike or an outdoor activity.
Also note that Gap is surrounded by several ski resorts, so you can stay a week and visit the surrounding areas!
Where to sleep in Gap?
To answer this question, I have chosen to devote an entire section to providing you with a little more detail. So go to the next section just below to discover the best addresses in the region!
Where to sleep in Gap?
Now that you know a little more about the places and things to visit and do in Gap, here are some good places to stay in Gap. For this pleasant little town, I will offer you hotels, bed and breakfasts as well as independent apartments.
Hotels where to sleep in Gap
Let's start with the hotels located in the city of Gap. They will allow you to stay near the city center and thus be able to enjoy your stay. The city center is not very extensive, you can access certain visits and the city center directly on foot.
My hotel
Located at the entrance to the city center of Gap, its location is ideal for visiting Gap. This hotel has very comfortable and spacious rooms. The welcome from the staff is very warm. A safe bet for your stay in the Hautes-Alpes, at an attractive price. Welcome, Comfort, Location See prices
Nestor Hotel
Let's continue with this address, offering an original decoration that will surely delight you! With this atypical universe, the welcome of the staff is very warm and makes you feel at home! The rooms are comfortable and the meals are of high quality. As for the location, you will be about ten minutes by car from the city center. Reception, Decoration, Restaurant See prices
Ibis gap
For this last address of hotels, here is a chain well known to all. Ibis is present in Gap and offers you a quality establishment, located close to the Gap ice rink and not far from the city center. Comfortable and clean rooms, the staff is also very nice. Location, Comfort, Calm See the prices
Sleep in a bed and breakfast in Gap
After these few hotel addresses, here are our suggestions for sleeping in a bed and breakfast in Gap. For this category of accommodation, I will suggest some outside Gap. You will therefore have to drive to Gap. Don't worry, you won't be far from Gap to visit this pretty town!
The Three Blue Thistles
Here is a bed and breakfast located at the entrance of Gap. You will be welcomed by very charming hosts who will be keen to meet your expectations so that your stay runs as smoothly as possible. As for accommodation, the rooms offered are comfortable and well decorated. The town of Gap is easily accessible on foot. Welcome, Comfort, Location See prices
The Dorgisane
For this second bed and breakfast, I'll take you about twenty minutes south of Gap, not far from Tallard and its famous aerodrome. This accommodation offers spacious, comfortable and impeccably clean rooms. The breakfast is very good and you can also enjoy a nice swimming pool on site. Without forgetting the kindness and the welcome of the hosts! A nice address not far from Gap. Reception, Setting, Pool See the rates
The Clos of Light
Let's now head to a village a few kilometers from Gap, La-Roche-des-Arnauds. This bed and breakfast is renowned for the hospitality of its owners and its very appreciable location, surrounded by nature. You can also benefit from the valuable advice of your hosts on visits and hikes to do in the surrounding area. And enjoy a hearty, local and seasonal breakfast! Everything is there for an unforgettable stay. Calm, Welcome, Comfort See the prices
Rent an apartment in Gap
Let's finish this part on where to sleep in Gap with some apartments. These independent accommodations will allow you to enjoy the city with friends or family and in complete autonomy. Ideal for slightly longer stays, one week for example.
Apartment 2 pers.
To start, I offer you an apartment designed to accommodate two people. A modern and classy decoration, as well as very practical equipment. It is easy to get to Gap from this apartment. In addition, the host is accommodating and very welcoming. A perfect accommodation for a romantic getaway to discover Gap and its region! Reception, Decoration, Location See rates
The Augustine House
This house offers three different apartments. Able to accommodate 2 to 4 people, you can enjoy a perfect location for visiting Gap. The house is located in a quiet and secure area. Parking is available and the hosts are very charming. Without forgetting the modern decoration of this house which adds a certain charm. Decoration, Location, Calm
With Alpine Chestnut Trees
Let's conclude this part with a beautiful apartment that can accommodate up to 6 people! Slightly out of the city center, you will need a car to access the city of Gap. This location offers you a certain calm as well as a breathtaking view of the valley and the city. A great place to stay in Gap. Quiet, Home, Pool See the rates
I hope you enjoyed this article and that it made you want to visit Gap and discover all the things to do around. If you have already had the chance to go to Gap, tell us in the comments what you thought!
