The Izoard loop

Centre Montagne with its museum, permanent exhibition on minors and occasional exhibitions, heritage visits (mines and chapel) and entertainment during the winter and summer seasons.

Relief ruiniforme spectaculaire, le site de la Casse Déserte, popularisé par le tour de France cycliste, est remarquable par son paysage résultant de l'érosion des dolomies cargneulisées roussâtres et gypses d'un blanc livide qui y affleurent.Située sur le versant Sud du Col d'Izoard, la Casse Déserte est une véritable curiosité géologique : l'association de calcaires dolomitiques et de gypse a permis une érosion faisant apparaitre d'imposants pitons rocheux ( dit cargneules ) de couleur ocre donnant à ce paysage cet aspect désertique si particulier. Le site de la Casse Déserte est protégé car classé aux monuments et sites naturels des Hautes-Alpes, par arrêté ministériel du 1er juin 1937, afin de le protéger de toute exploitation commerciale ou dégradation. La géologie en détail : La circulation de fluides au sein des gypses a chargé les eaux en sulfates. Ces eaux séléniteuses ont préférentiellement dissous la dolomie au sein des cargneules et des calcaires dolomitiques triasiques, d'où les cavités caractérisant les cargneules et l'érosion ruiniforme associée.

The Napoléon hut on the Col de l'Izoard welcomes you in summer for a break on the Route des Grandes Alpes, and in winter for an unforgettable toboggan ride!On the road to the legendary Col de l'Izoard, the refuge Napoléon welcomes you summer and winter alike. Our gourmet, family-style cuisine features mountain specialities, a fine à la carte menu, daily specials and our delicious homemade tarts. Our cosy rooms await you for a change of scenery... Located on the Grandes Alpes road at an altitude of 2300 m, the Napoleon refuge, built in 1858, is one of 6 refuges built thanks to a bequest from Napoleon 1st to the Hautes-Alpes department in gratitude for the warm welcome he received from the locals on his return from Elba. The refuge is not far from the listed "Casse Déserte" site. The Refuge Napoléon team welcomes you in summer and winter alike for a warm welcome and a gourmet home-cooked meal: - mountain specialities, - dishes of the day, - delicious homemade tarts... Our cosy rooms await you for a relaxing break. In winter, after a heart-warming meal at lunchtime or in the evening, the refuge will lend you a toboggan for the 7 km descent to the hamlet of Laus.

The Petit Cerf team welcomes you to the bar-restaurant for a drink, aperitif, lunch, snack or dinner.Have a snack with your children (or without) after playing outside. In the cosy rooms, you can nibble on the coffee tables in the lounge or choose to eat at our large tables by the fireplace. The Le Petit Cerf's teamwill be on hand to listen to your every wish. What's for dinner? What shall we drink? Let's keep it simple and good... and very good indeed! A simple menu with quality, local, freshly-cooked products. Platters of cold meats and cheese, meals at all hours. Back a little late from skiing or biking? Feeling hungry? Don't worry, we'll be happy to prepare a simple dish for you. Aperonomy: Spritzs, good beers, a selected wine list and, of course, a whole range of softs for an aperitif by the fire or on the terrace, depending on the season.