Explore and Discover at Camping Les Sitelles in Chabottes

The village resort of St Léger-les-Mélèzes lives up to its name: the ski slopes, laid out in a larch forest, have the advantage of guaranteeing good quality snow and skiing for all levels.

THE CONCEPT: EAT AND ENJOY! The O2 Area offers a range of options to suit your tastes: a restaurant, a pizza hut or a sweet snack bar. Local flavours with views of the peaks: your table awaits you in the heart of the O²Area. From breakfast to dinner on the terrace, our restaurant welcomes you all day long in a warm and friendly atmosphere. Local cuisine, fresh produce from the Hautes-Alpes and a mountain atmosphere guaranteed. The restaurant holds the Famille Plus certification: menus and facilities suitable for children. Our pizza hut is open from 4 July, from 6 pm to 9.30 pm; takeaway or eat-in options available. Our snack bar is open from 4 July, from 12.30 pm to 6 pm.

A special family trail ! Climbing, kayaking on a high altitude lake, mountain biking, orienteering, meeting a shepherd, and ending with a bivouac evening with a meal and star gazing. Departure Thursday in the morning (staggered), return Friday, around 11:30am.

Discover Orcières Merlette 1850 at altitude this summer In summer, three Télémix® lifts (Rocherousse, Drouvet I and Drouvet II) take you to the heart of the Orcières Merlette 1850 ski area, up to 2280 m at the Rocherousse plateau and 2650 m at the Drouvet summit. These mixed lifts (cabins and seats) allow you to : - Take advantage of our mountain bike playground; - Explore the emblematic trails, including the Monde des 6 Lacs, a magical hike between high altitude lakes and wide open spaces; - Enjoy a meal at the Rocherousse mountain restaurant; - Have some family fun with the ‘Roule Ma Boule’ games; - Try your hand at the Roll Air Cable, one of the longest zip lines in Europe: 1.8 km of head-first descent between the summit of Drouvet (2650 m) and Lac Long (2500 m), for 1 minute 20 of unique sensations. (Access via Drouvet I & II).

Point of sale for ski lift passes in the center of the resort, in the immediate vicinity of the Flags car park (P4). Automatic purchase and reload counters outside.

Because waste management is everyone's business, moreover in the mountains in a space to be preserved, the actors of the resort participate in a collection session extending from the ski area to the Orcières leisure base.

Lift pass sales point in the centre of the resort, right next to the Queyrelet car park (P6). Automatic purchase and top-up machines outside.

From discovery walks to challenging hikes, follow a mountain leader on the trails of the Champsaur and in the Ecrins National Park, and discover the mountains in a whole new way. In a good-humoured, friendly atmosphere, with the emphasis on sharing experiences and a constant focus on quality. We offer walks that are accessible to all: discovering animals in the morning or evening, challenging yourself with a summit ascent, and also walks and activities for a mountain adventure. In the evening, we take you on a journey of myth and mythology under the stars. New: Six lakes walk at dusk: Take the last gondola up and enjoy the six lakes walk in complete peace and safety with a mountain leader. We also offer tailor-made outings for families and groups.

PLAY, LAUGH, AND HAVE FUN IN THE MOUNTAINS! Young and old alike, roll your wooden ball down the chutes, guide it through the tunnels, and test your skills on the board or the walls... An ideal activity for a family outing in the heart of nature. HOW DOES IT WORK? Meet at Orcières Merlette, grab your ball, and explore all the facilities. There’s a short course at the foot of the Rocherousse restaurant—that’s where you can start your introductory session…Then move on to the larger course located in the heart of the Monde des 6 Lacs; it’s stop #13, “Le Méli-Mélo des Œufs,” on the plateau (a story about bearded vulture and dragon eggs…) Play with your ball whenever you want—as much as you like! For little ones (ages 1 and up) accompanied by an adult—and even for grown-ups. The course is open during the operating hours of the Rocherousse Telemix.

Built at the sources of the White Drac, near the disused Champoléon cabin, this refuge with its stone roof offers tasty regional food at lunchtime and copious Alpine meals in the evening. The refuge is easy to access for families: 1 hr 30 mins from the Auberts car park (elevation: 350 m). Large number of hiking trails leaving from the refuge.

Construit en 1848 le canal de Gap qui alimente en eau potable la ville de Gap, il était déjà un lieu de promenade au XIXe siècle et même de baignade pour les moins frileux. Aujourd’hui la structure est recouverte.

Le patois champsaurin est en fait une langue à part entière dérivée de l’occitan : le « vivaro-alpin ». La toponymie locale témoigne encore de ce parler d’antan : le « Bouscatu » est un lieu boisé, la « Poureïte » un endroit où l’on cultivait les poireaux, le « Casso » un lieu pierreux, la « Poua » est la montée vers l’église…

Avant ou après la balade, découvrez le village de St Léger : vous pourrez vous attarder dans le jardin d’enfants en face de l’Office de Tourisme où se trouve le four à pain du village ainsi qu’une jolie fontaine au 'bacchal' de pierre. De nos jours, le four est remis en service deux ou trois fois par an lors des festivités communales. La présence d’une fontaine près des fours banals est systématique pour des raisons fonctionnelles car il faut de l’eau pour nettoyer la sole (surface de cuisson).

After the retreat of the glaciers flowing from the Durance and Roanne valleys, the frontal and lateral moraines formed a natural dam at the end of the Ancelle basin. Over time, a large glacial lake was created. Between the fifth and sixth centuries, the lake dried out. The forest then took over the fertile plateau, and it was only in the eighth century that it was deforested by man for crops.

The Scots pine can be recognised by its long reddish brown trunk and sparse foliage. The needles are grey-green, slightly curved and paired. It needs a great deal of sunshine, but can make do with poor, sandy soil that is unsuited to other trees. Its wood is light and of high quality.

In the  Libouze water reserve, newly restored by the town of Saint Léger les Mélèzes,  you can see a pretty batrachian swimming around elegantly. This is the Alpine newt. It can be recognised by its orange belly, but unlike the females, the males have lighter-coloured sides with large dark spots and a narrow, light-blue stripe. The species  is strictly protected and is becoming rarer in the plain, on the edge of its area of distribution. 

Located above the village of Chaillol, on the slopes of the Vieux Chaillol which rises to a height of 3,163 metres, the ski resort of Chaillol 1600 enjoys maximum sunshine thanks to its full south-facing orientation. A family resort opened in 1964, today it has adapted to the new snowfall conditions with a reservoir of water for artificial snow production, installed in the valley of La Pisse. In winter, the skiable area ranges between 1,450 metres and 2,000 metres and in summer the resort offers mountain activities such as hiking, mountain biking and horse riding. 

Built in 1780 on the site of a former chapel dedicated to Our Lady of the Assumption, the Roranches chapel is dedicated to Saint Pancras, the protector of farm animals and pets. It was built using humble architectural techniques, and is highly representative of the small places of worship in the Champsaur woodlands where, as so often in the mountains, the materials used were those that were ready to hand. Two renovation projects have been carried out on the chapel since 2013 with the support of the Ecrins National Park. The first was aimed at stabilising the barrel vault and renewing the framework and roof using the original material, slate. The second project was to restore the plasterwork inside and outside, as well as the whitewash, windows and flooring.

From the rocky wilds of the Vieux Chaillol to the green fields in the valley, the Malcros canal is the fruit of an extraordinary endeavour of power and precision. Built between 1873 and 1881, it was designed to supply water to the populated communities of the Champsaur valley. Water management has always been a crucial subject in the mountains. But although dictated by necessity, it is nevertheless true that this construction is the fruit of a Herculean effort: 61 kilometres of canals and aqueducts between the glacier of Malcros (2,818 m) and the various villages it was intended to supply... and with no power-driven machinery! The «gullies» to Saint-Bonnet were completed in 1878; those to Buissard and Bénévent-et-Charbillac were left high and dry. Avalanches and natural erosion finally got the better of the locals' determination, and they finally abandoned it in 1923. Today, the «Malcros 2818» association is attempting to restore this historic piece of infrastructure. The laid-out canal path from Malcros to Saint-Michel de Chaillol is a walk not to be missed!

This bird of prey can be recognised because of its large head, its quite impressive wingspan (1.80m) and the white plumage under its wings and body. Despite its size, it rarely eat small mammals. Its food mainly consists of lizards and snakes. When it hunts, it takes up a particular position against the wind, poised in the air with its wings fully outstretched.

Traditional cuisine, local and mountain specialities.

Restaurant at the foot of the slopes. Local specialities and quick lunchtime meals, pancakes, ice creams.... Large, sunny terrace.

Home-made cuisine made with produce from the valley.

Gastronomic cuisine.

With Christelle and David, you will enjoy traditional, family cuisine with regional specialities.

Pancakes and mountain specialities.

A traditional restaurant with refined and regional dishes. Mountain specialities in the authentic setting of a converted 18th century stable. A simple and generous setting that will delight everyone who loves good food.

Family cuisine and atmosphere to try some local specialities ('tourtons', goat, etc.). Dining room and terrace.

Grilled meats, burgers, specialities and daily specials. Takeaway also available for lunch and dinner: burger, pizza, snack, crêpes.

Bar.

A former Alpine chalet converted into a mountain refuge. Five dormitories for 4 to 6 people with individual beds, showers and sanitary facilities. Top-quality food with mountain specialities. The refuge is located on one of the Tour du Vieux Chaillol paths. A large number of hikes leave from the refuge: Cascade de la Pisse (20 mins), Col de la Vénasque (3h), Col de Côte Longue (4h), the summit of Le Vieux Chaillol (3163 m), but also the unspoilt valleys of the Muande and Mal Cros! A little paradise only a 1 hr 30 min walk away! Elevation 345 metres.

Built at the sources of the White Drac, near the disused Champoléon cabin, this refuge with its stone roof offers tasty regional food at lunchtime and copious Alpine meals in the evening. The refuge is easy to access for families: 1 hr 30 mins from the Auberts car park (elevation: 350 m). Large number of hiking trails leaving from the refuge.

The pastoral cabin at Champoléon was built by stockbreeders in 1921. It was in 1972 that the cabin was restored for the first time... Two years later, the French Alpine Club (CAF) took over its management in order to insure shelter for the increasing number of hikers of the GR54. Having become too cramped, the refuge was rebuilt in 1979 on the ruins of the hamlet and became the Chaumette Meadow. The decorative stones were cut on site at  Champoléon. The imposing Lauzes stones used to cover the roof underline the effort made to integrate with the landscape. Today flocks of sheep are brought up to the mountains at the end of June and are visited once a week.

The pastoral cabin at Champoléon was built by stockbreeders in 1921. It was in 1972 that the cabin was restored for the first time... Two years later, the French Alpine Club (CAF) took over its management in order to insure shelter for the increasing number of hikers of the GR54. Having become too cramped, the refuge was rebuilt in 1979 on the ruins of the hamlet and became the Chaumette Meadow. The decorative stones were cut on site at  Champoléon. The imposing Lauzes stones used to cover the roof underline the effort made to integrate with the landscape. Today flocks of sheep are brought up to the mountains at the end of June and are visited once a week.

Nestled at the foot of the west face of the Sirac, this refuge was built in 2001 from wood and stone. Bright, spacious dormitories with duvets. Hot water showers and indoor toilets. From the refuge, there is a wide range of climbs and hikes: Sirac, Col and Pic de Vallonpierre, Col des Chevrettes, GR 54 footpath, Chabournéou refuge, Tour du Vieux Chaillol. Accessible in 2 hrs 30 mins from Gioberney car park, elevation 700 metres.

A small lake, pretty meadows and the benevolent Sirac... This magical setting would lead to the construction of a refuge at an altitude of 2270 m in 1942. However, it was a victim of its own success and in 2000 the decision was made to build a second, bigger one. It can accommodate 37 instead of 22. This new building was the first modern mountain refuge to be built using stones on site rather than imported materials. It copies the simplicity and the crow-stepped gable from the "small refuge" which has been kept as lodgings for a warden's helper.

A small lake, pretty meadows and the benevolent Sirac... This magical setting would lead to the construction of a refuge at an altitude of 2270 m in 1942. However, it was a victim of its own success and in 2000 the decision was made to build a second, bigger one. It can accommodate 37 instead of 22. This new building was the first modern mountain refuge to be built using stones on site rather than imported materials. It copies the simplicity and the crow-stepped gable from the "small refuge" which has been kept as lodgings for a warden's helper.

After 1 hour and forty-five minutes walking, you will come across the charming mountain refuge that is at an altitude of 2000 m. It is guarded in spring and is the starting point for ski touring routes such as the Jocelme or the Brèche en V. In the summer, backing onto the Sirac, it is at the limit between hiking and mountaineering: a first-rate location. You might be lucky enough to spot chamois that loiter on the neighbouring slopes at the end of the day, as the sun takes its time to leave.

Perched on an Alpine prairie, at the frontier with the high mountains, the Olan refuge provides a unique panorama on La Chapelle-en-Valgaudemar, the prestigious Olan cirque, the Cime du Vallon... A stopover for mountaineers and hikers: a mountain road to the Refuge des Souffles. Shared room and kitchen upstairs, running water and fountain. Meals by reservation. Access from La Chapelle-en-Valgaudemar in 4 hours; elevation: 1245 metres.

Situated at an altitude of 2350 m, this large building constructed in 1957 was carried away by an avalanche two years later. A witness to this is a concrete slab below the refuge. Rebuilt in 1966, it was definitively extended in 1978 with a capacity of 54 places. A stage of the Tour de l'Oisans (GR 54), it welcomes hikers in the summer season and provides a shelter in the winter; it belongs to the Club Alpin Français.