Crête de Curlet

The serpentine is a family of metamorphic rocks which includes around twenty mineral species. Serpentine is soft which makes it easy to carve. Some varieties can even be worked with a knife. The "noble" Serpentine is light olive green and translucent. It is used in the design of jewellery and small sculpture. Serpentines are used in crystal healing for conditions involving the heart or lungs. They also help with concentration and meditation.

The Pic de Rochebrune is omnipresent in the Queyras. Its isolation and altitude (3320m) makes it, like Mount Viso, one of the most visible peaks of the territory. For experienced hikers (top part with some climbing sections), the ascension offers an exceptional 360° view. The Mercantour, the Mont Blanc, the Massifs des Ecrins, the Mont Rose, the Grande Casse, the Aiguilles d'Arves, the Massif de la Font Sancte, the Bric Bouchet and the Mount Viso are examples of the many visible massifs and peaks from the top of the great Rochebrune.

The alpine tit, subspecies of the willow tit, prefers dense underbush. It is found in deciduous (shedding-leaves trees) and mixed forests. It digs its nest in dead or senescent (ageing) wood. Wood chips, feathers, grass and hairs are used to line the nest. Every year, between 6 and 9 eggs are laid at once. The tit sits on them for almost 2 weeks. Sedentary, it keeps reserves during the "beautiful" season to survive the winter.

The Croix de Curlet marks the beginning of the crest of the same name. It offers a beautiful view of the village of Saint-Véran and the valley of Aigue Blanche. And a view of the great Rochebrune and part of the Guil valley.

The bottom of the Aigue Blanche valley from right to left: Tête des Toillies, Rocca Bianca, Pic de Caramantran and Pointe des Sagnes Longues.