Embrun and the Serre-Ponçon lake

Published on July 14, 2024 at 4:00 pm

Set on a natural promontory, "le Roc", overlooking the wild Durance river, Embrun offers a pleasant stopover for travellers discovering the Southern Alps. Situated close to the Serre-Ponçon lake and famous ski resorts, Embrun is an ideal base for sports and hiking. What's more, you can explore the town and its surroundings all year round. Lac de Serre-Ponçon is a popular summer destination for outdoor activities such as swimming, sailing, kitesurfing, kayaking, fishing and hiking. There are several beaches and resorts around its shores. In winter, holidaymakers from the south of France cross it on a bridge linking Chorges to Savines le Lac, to access the main ski resorts in the Southern Alps, including Serre-Chevalier, Vars, Risoul and Puy-Saint-Vincent.

Lac de Serre-Ponçon in summer, with its beaches, Southern Alps, France

Summary

Embrun, a charming town
Lake Serre-Ponçon
Embrun and the surrounding area in winter
Where to stay near Embrun?

Embrun, a charming town

The colourful alleyways ofEmbrun town centre are an invitation to stroll. As a bonus, the terraces and shops welcome you in fine weather under an almost Mediterranean sun.

The exceptional natural site of Embrun on its rocky promontory

A number of monuments dot the centre of the small town of Embrun.

Not to be missed are

Notre-Dame du Réal cathedral
The Brune Tower
The Jardin de l'Évêché

For a gourmet break in the summer sunshine, the terraces in the town centre await you. One of these is the restaurant l'Épicerie. You'll enjoy simple, fresh, local cuisine!

If you've got a sweet tooth, head to Les 3 Sœurs chocolate and pastry shop in Eyriey. You'll find it hard to choose between all these chocolate delights...

Panoramic view of Embrun in the Southern Alps

Lake Serre-Ponçon

Lac de Serre-Ponçon is still the largest man-made lake in France.

Created in 1959, the artificial lake blends in perfectly with the mountainous surroundings of this part of the Southern Alps.

In summer, pedalos and sailboats are available from the Club Nautique Alpin Serre-Ponçon. The club is based on the Embrun lake, where you'll find a pleasant beach and, in summer, a refreshment bar.

Situated just below the small hilltop town, you'll find a vast choice of activities.

Lake Serre-Ponçon seen from the Écrins National Park

Embrun and the surrounding area in winter

The nearest ski resort to Embrun is Crévoux. The Crévoux ski area is ideal for cross-country skiing.

Les Orres, a lively and well-known ski resort in the Southern Alps, offers a more extensive ski area.

At an altitude of 1,800 metres, Les Orres has 36 ski runs and around twenty ski lifts.

Among the vast choice of activities on offer in winter, you can try :

Downhill skiing
Snowboarding
Snowmobiling

What's more, familiesare very welcome in Les Orres. The resort has been awarded the Famille Plus label.

So you'll find a quality welcome and facilities to suit all ages (kids' clubs, dedicated pistes for the little ones).

Skiing at the summit of the Orres mountains

Where to stay near Embrun?

La Ferme du Riouclar is a bed and breakfast located south of Embrun.

The modern, functionally decorated rooms are spacious and some offer beautiful views of the countryside.

Accommodation includes a flat-screen TV and en suite facilities. Bed linen and towels are also provided.

Some family rooms can accommodate up to 4 people.

A buffet breakfast is served every morning on site. On request, breakfast is served in your room.

Free parking is also available.

Booking.com

La ferme du riouclar

Located in Embrun, 20 km from Les Orres, La ferme du riouclar offers a garden, free private parking, a shared lounge and a terrace.

8.4 Very good

From

£111 / night

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Practical information

👉 When should you come and enjoy the riches of Embrun and the surrounding area?

In the heart of the Hautes-Alpes, Embrun has a climate with very distinct seasons.

In winter, it's not unusual for snow to fall on the plains. Most of the time, it stays on the ground in the surrounding mountains and Alpine ski resorts.

Spring and autumn are interesting off-seasons, particularly for hiking.

In summer, the sun makes the proximity of the Serre-Ponçon lake attractive.

🚌 How do I get to Embrun?

Embrun lies halfway between the two main towns in the Hautes-Alpes department. In fact, the N 94 road links Embrun to Gap and Briançon.

What's more, from Embrun you can easily reach the ski resort of Les Orres, in particular the Pramouton district. This is just 15 kilometres from Embrun.

Embrun is also served by an SNCF train station. From Paris, take the TGV to Marseille-Saint Charles, then a TER to Embrun.

Marseille-Provence airport is around 220 kilometres from Embrun, providing a quick connection to Paris.

🚌 Where can I park in the village of Embrun?

The centre of the village of Embrun is easily accessible and parking is straightforward out of season.

However, during the summer most car parks become chargeable. Plan to arrive early to find a parking space quickly, especially on market days.

Outside the summer rush, you won't have any trouble parking (remember to check the charge zones).

by Faustine PEREZ | Staff Writer

Faustine Perez is a writer currently based in Paris. She is pursuing a Master's degree at SciencesPo Paris in Communications, Media and Creative Industries. She is an avid traveller and has been fortunate to explore the USA and the Caribbean.

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Southern Alps