Alpe d'Huez, the Col de Sarenne and the Auris balconies

Although mentioned for the first time in documents in 1058, Saint Peter's Church is almost certainly older. Its very good current condition conceals this fact, especially following recent renovation work to replace the damaged belfry.We know from the archives that La Garde held an important position in the parishes of Oisans in the Middle Ages, as it had a castle mound (typically a mediaeval defence structure), two towers and a stronghold. The position of the church bears witness to its age, since churches were traditionally built on a rocky outcrop or promentory in order to be both seen and heard. Indeed, the sound of ringing bells had to travel far to reach the peasants in the Alpine pastures or other villages. Having survived for centuries, the church has undergone a number of changes, since architectural digs have revealed an earlier building and graves. In April 2013, the wooden belfry supporting the bells was replaced and a bell ringing the note "D" was added! A sundial can be seen on the southern face.

In the 17th century, monks in the parish made a sundial calculated in accordance with the latitude, longitude and orientation of the south wall of St Peter's Church. This became known as "The Watch" by local residents.This is one of the oldest sundials in Oisans, dating from 1677 (slightly later than the 1669 sundial in Venosc). Renovated in 2000, a correction table enables the exact time to be calculated as indicated by the sun at any time of the year.

The village of Clavans (1400m) was called “Saint Didier du pied du bois” and means “the key” in local dialect. This name was given because the village always kept the entrance of the Valette and Quirlies passes, located on the former border with the Savoie department.Nestled against a slate ridge, this flowery village, often awarded on the occasion of departmental competition will enchant you with its pretty fountains, squares, its church and its small and charming chapel. The two villages that comprise it (Clavans le Bas and Clavans le Haut) are located 2 kms away from each other, bordering Ferrand. This impetuous torrent, which has also given its name to the valley, has its source in Lake Quirlies on the Sarenne glacier (subject to a beautiful hike in the site) and then passes through the pastures, forming beautiful waterfalls and ends its way into the turquoise waters of the Lac du Chambon. Its beautiful old houses testify to the prosperity of farmers and peddlers of Oisans. The long and harsh winters are the reason that some men became hawkers to sell products throughout France (and sometimes abroad!) They sold haberdashery products, small household items and plants from Oisans. You can also admire the old houses, some of which have hosted Huguenot refugees in the earliest times of the French Wars of Religion. Indeed, following the revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685, there are hundreds of Protestants of Oisans who tried to flee to the Savoie region by crossing the Vallette and Prés Nouveaux passes. The people of Clavans in Haut-Oisans, have maintained their traditions. Discover the craft activities such as “farouilles” (old locks), basketry (homemade wicker baskets…), and taste delicious local honey and local and regional specialties. In summer, it is possible to escape to the hills by crossing the Col de Sarenne, a wonderful panoramic viewpoint of the Massif de la Meije linked with the Alpe d’Huez ski station by a former pastoral road. The slope of Cerisier, of Clos Chevalleret, without forgetting the traditional walk to the Quirlies Lake are some of the beautiful landscapes that you can discover. Note that Clavans is located on the GR54 Tour de l’Oisans. In winter, the backcountry ski slope of the Grand Sablat glacier can be used, starting from the Pic Blanc (Alpe d’Huez) with the help of a guide.

Sitting on a rocky peak, Mizoën is the front door of the Ferrand valley. This charming village of Oisans gives a beautiful and panoramic view on the Chambon lake, located below.Offers a beautiful view of the Meije mountain, the gorges of Romanche and the Taillefer summits. The village of Mizoën is shaped by history and legends (the Huguenots before the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, the history of the Chambon dam in 1920 – 1930,) shaped by the farmers' work, by transhumance, by its traditions and its old paths surrounded by oratories. You can also visit the museum in the Clots hamlet, located near a mountain hut, that will teach you about the life of farmers before. The village is also located in the middle of beautiful landscapes : the Clots, the Emparis plateau and its lakes. You will find in Mizoën a warm and friendly atmosphere where you will be able to rest, discover and contemplate.

The Chambon dam was built between 1929 and 1935. In 1918, the industrialist Henri Frédet discovered the potential of this narrow, 75m long section of the Romanche river. It proved to be the ideal location for regulating the flow of the river.In 1921, studies showed that the presence of hard, cristallin schist in the soil provided a perfect seal for the water. The potential of hydroelectricity drew the attention of speculators during the 1920s stock exchange boom. Despite having to flood the villages of Le Chambon,Le Dauphine and Pariset, work began on the dam. During the construction period, a temporary cable car was set up over a 10.5 km stretch from Bourg d'Oisans to Le Chambon to supply the site with cement and other materials more rapidly. This cable car had 193 huge buckets that could each carry 250 km of cement. 62 metal pylons were built 900 m apart, some up to 40 m high, to bear the weight of the 22.5 km steel cable. The reservoir filled with water between 24 April and 9 October 1935. As early as May 1935, the turbines of the Sainte-Guilherme power plant were being driven by water and intake from the neighbouring Ferrand Valley was later added to boost the supply of water.

We reach the Sarenne pass by following a series of hairpin bends that slowly weaves above the beautiful Ferrand valley until the Emparis Plateau. Did you know that the word Ferrand comes from the latin term “ferus” which means wild?So much to do! The chamois is almost more common that human in this area dedicated to the mountain. A unique road to discover! A beautiful, open sky visit of the typical landscapes of Oisans. The Vallée du Ferrand, dedicated to pastoralism is completely different from its neighbour the Vallée de Sarenne. Here you are in a fragile environment, protected in order to save the animals and the pastures. So discover with care and stay on the roads.

A magnificent drive on one of the most spectacular roads of Oisans and that’s saying something! An amazing technical feat lead to the Route de la Roche being opened in 1902.The first ever road to get to Auris and its hamlets. The construction of this road was synonymous with progress and the end of isolation. Up until 1895 the only way to get to Auris was on foot or donkey by the "chimney" path. After the village of L’Armentier-Le-Haut, the road opens up to a vast horizon! If you’re scared of heights, turn back now! The road is narrow. It is not advised for motorhomes.