The Ferrand round trip (Circuit n°14)

In the heart of the listed village of Besse-en-Oisans, the Maison des Alpages houses a museum, a projection room and exhibitions dedicated to pastoral life. It also organises excursions to meet the shepherds and their flocks.The visit to the museum is divided into several parts: A permanent and interactive exhibition invites visitors to learn more about pastoralism as it is practised today, dispelling preconceived ideas and and highlighting age-old know-how. -A museum area devoted to the rich history of Besse en Oisans and the Ferrand Valley, which depicts life in the mountain villages of yesteryear (collections of old objects, photos, testimonials, etc.). -A number of sections on issues such as global warming, predators, the environment and the economy linked to pastoralism complete the visit. The Maison des Alpages also offers free activities for children: access to the library (a wide range of books on the mountain environment, plant and animal life, transhumance, life in the past). A booklet of games and riddles is also available on request at the reception. The visit ends with the museum shop, which is mainly dedicated to local producers and aims to showcase quality products to local and visiting customers, by promoting the members of the Oisans Savoir Faire Route, Alpe is Here and the Ecrins National Park. The Maison des Alpages also offers guided tours of Besse, excursions to the mountain pastures to meet the shepherds and their flocks, as well as hikes through the pasture hamlets. These outings can be rounded off with a film from the festival "Les alpages font leur cinéma". More information on the outings and activities can be found on the dedicated web pages (outings and visits can be booked online) or on www.maisondesalpages-besse.com, as well as on the Facebook page of the Maison des Alpages. You can also contact the Maison des Alpages on 04.76.80.19.09 to ask any questions and book your activities. LABELS: - Member of the "Richesses Culturelles de l'Oisans" network (RCO) - Member of the "Oisans Savoir-Faire Route" -Esprit Parc National -Ecrins National Park Information Point

Besse en Oisans, the perfect example of an authentic mountain village. All the houses of this charming village are made in wood and stone. A unique place in Oisans thanks to its typical and preserved architecture.This small mountain village, far from the noise and pollution, offers on a giant screen one of the most beautiful panoramas in the Alps. It kept its appearance from one hundred years ago. The old people, hawkers, artisans or harsh mountain farmers have left their mark permanently. Their successors will welcome you warmly and make you enjoy the relaxed lifestyle of this unusual town, one of the finest of Oisans. This important mountain community was formerly called “St. André in the middle of the forest …” According to the legend, after the forest fire on August 24 in 1540, only birches remained. Hence the present name of the town that comes from Bes, meaning “birch” in local dialect. “Who has not seen Besse and Paris and saw nothing … By “Paris” we mean the Emparis plateau, with its 2,900 hectares that spread like a natural balcony at an altitude of 2,200m and offers a beautiful panoramic view of the Aiguilles d'Arves, the Meije summit and the Sarenne glacier. This natural site is one of the largest pastures in Europe, and welcomes every year many herds that keep the landscape “open” and perpetuate the ancient culture of mountain pastoralism. Facing south, Besse is one of the most beautiful villages of Oisans, and also one of the most visited. Squat stone houses huddled on each other for protection from cold, separated by narrow streets and steep cobblestone, a solid structure to withstand heavy snowfall, the Besse village is a typical of a mountain village in Oisans. The walls are made ​​of slate, whose dark and austere appearance is enhanced by the veined granite quartz that glows under the sunlight. It is a crowded and active village that has kept its ancient soul. In the center of the village is located the Maison des Alpages museum, tourism and cultural actor in the departmental level, which plays a major role in pastoral protection. Children and adults can discover the fun and entertaining cultural traditions and traditional activities of Oisans linked with pastoralism.

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.

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.