Alpe d'Huez in summer

Among French Alps stands out for its beautyAlpe d'Huez, a town located in the Isère department which is part of the Grandes Rousses massif, above the Oisans. The altitude varies between a minimum of 1850 and a maximum of 3300 meters above sea level, and within this passage between medium and high mountains numerous types of environments with completely peculiar landscape characteristics are hosted.

This massif, in fact, constitutes a very important reference point for tourism, due to its suggestive beauty of its panoramas, which alternate alpine lakes reachable at the end of relaxing walks (for experts and beginners) with the harshness of high altitudes, perpetual snow and uncontaminated nature.

From this variety comes as a direct consequence a wide range of choices of activities: Alpe d'Huez offers perfect holidays for all types of tourists, be they families, young couples wishing to spend a romantic weekend, groups of friends looking for adventure or lovers of tranquility who choose the mountains to provide a clean break from the frenetic routine they have to face every day between work and a thousand tasks and worries.

There is no shortage of ways to spend time and have fun in this location, as are accommodation options: many types of facilities are available, from grand hotels to luxury hotels complete with indoor swimming pool, spa and a thousand options for relaxing in complete comfort, up to the more modest chalets that will allow their guests to savor the rustic taste of the mountains by offering them a breathtaking view that will frame their stay to give rise to an unforgettable holiday.

Alpe d'Huez lakes

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In this region identified as Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, there are numerous natural lakes which represent as many destinations for hiking routes, for those who prefer more relaxing paths, or trekking, for adventure enthusiasts in search of adrenaline. The choice, in fact, is very wide, and includes both routes that can be taken by anyone, regardless of their level of physical preparation, and others that are suitable for experts and particularly sporty people.

Among the most suggestive bodies of water, the White Lake, of glacial origin. It is located at a considerable altitude, i.e. approximately 2500 meters above sea level and is 14 hectares wide. Its surface is surrounded by numerous paths that correspond to as many routes that lead to this point. Precisely the fact of being at a high altitude gives Lac Blanc a privileged point of view over the Grandes Rousses massif, but its attractiveness is also due to the fact that it is renowned as a fishing spot.

Going further up you come across the Fare Lake, near the city of Oz. With its 2640 meters above sea level, it is placed directly in the heart of the mountain massif, occupying an area of ​​eight and a half hectares, where the beauty of the peaks and of a perfectly intact nature is reflected on clear water, also generous towards fishermen. Just like Lac Blanc, Lago della Fare is also accessible from numerous paths, all carefully signposted.

Much more modest in size, however, is the Balme Rousse lake, which extends for just two hectares, at an altitude of 2510 meters. The municipality of reference for reaching this lake is Vaujany, only 18 km away from the previously mentioned Bourg d'Oisans. Lying on a plateau characterized by a gentle slope, Lake Balme Rousse is located near many other bodies of water, within a protected area which constitutes a unique window onto the glaciers and a barren landscape, which hosts sporadic expanses of meadows alternating with frequent accumulations of rocks, giving rise to an almost lunar atmosphere.

To crown it all, small lakes (such as Lake Tissot or Lake Jasse) which dot the landscape like tiny green and blue gems. This area lends itself well both to trout fishing and to walks, which can be done between one lake and another, obviously considering that this experience requires a lot of time and is a rather physically demanding program.

Points of cultural interest

Those seeking culture and particularly appreciating the beauty of man's works will find attractions that they cannot fail to see in this location too. One of them is certainly represented by the church of Notre-Dame del Neiges, which houses a precious pipe organ, created following the project of Jean Guillon, titular organist of the Parisian church of Sant'Eustachio.

Let us therefore proceed in order, leaving the majesty of the high altitude lakes to dedicate ourselves to discovering this recently built building. It was in fact built between 1968 and 1970 to be a point of reference for Catholic worship. The project by architect Jean Marol envisaged a cylindrical structure made of concrete that would act as the central fulcrum of the entire complex, which would have to extend entirely towards it. The modernity of this construction stands out so as to be noticed while walking through the streets of the historic center, thanks to its originality (the shape in fact vaguely resembles the silhouette of the Virgin, from which the name therefore derives) and the splendid stained glass windows.

For history buffs, a visit to Brandes is a must, where there is an archaeological site that includes a mining village and a 1180th-century castle. This location is located XNUMX meters above sea level and, following the flooding of the Galena mining tunnels in the XNUMXth century, it was abandoned. Today this site is a precious historical monument from the medieval era and a popular destination for speleology lovers: in a position above the plateau there is, in fact, the Théophile cave, inside which there are conformations to be admired even through an aquatic route .

Finally, the Alpe d'Huez museums, starting with the Heritage House of Oisans, which in addition to narrating the history of this area, also houses a model of track bobsled which in 1968 was used during the Winter Olympics held in Grenoble.

Near Lake Verney, however, there is the Museum of the Conservatory of Hydroelectric Industries, awarded the title of Musée de France, which traces the development of the technologies used for dams used for the production of electricity, thanks to a large collection of machinery industrial, terminals and other types of objects, arranged in a space with a surface area of ​​more than 1000 square metres. Furthermore, from here museum visitors can observe the most optimized and powerful hydroelectric power plant in the entire nation, the Grand Maison.

Visitors can treat themselves to a tour of the Huez and Oisans Museum, which offers an all-encompassing insight into this region, the natural environment that characterizes it and the people who live there. Above all, the itinerary focuses on the era of the miners, included, as we have seen, between the 12th and 14th centuries. Other themes widely touched upon are everyday life during the Middle Ages, the Second World War and the Resistance.

Sports and other activities

For the more active, Alpe d'Huez is a real playground, thanks to a large assortment of proposals for various sporting activities and pastimes. We have talked extensively about excursions and hiking, which certainly cannot disappoint enthusiasts, leading them along paths of rare beauty to admire breathtaking landscapes. But walks are not the only way to explore the uncontaminated nature of this massif: the lakes, for example, can also be reached by bike or using thee-bike.

Speaking of cycling, it is also very famous climbing Alpe d'Huez, famous for coinciding with the final stage of the Tour de France. It is a road composed of 21 hairpin bends, next to each of which there is a plaque with the name of a winner of the competition. Especially during the summer, there is no shortage of options for biking, via ferrata and climbing.

But obviously lovers of relaxation can dedicate themselves to quieter activities, such as swimming in the pool offered by the numerous wellness facilities, trying the wonders of the spa for an experience of authentic relaxation and practicing discipline of yoga in the mountains, which above all is a source of great well-being on a psychological and physical level. Me too'riding offers numerous routes available, and even the most intrepid people who have never tried riding can opt for a different trip than usual.

Holidays in Alpe d'Huez

Based on what we have seen throughout this guide, we can conclude that Alpe d'Huez is an ideal holiday destination, whether it is a period spent with the family, together with cheerful company or as a couple, looking for relaxation and tranquility.

However, the main recipients of this offer are people who love to live their holidays intensely, being able to choose a different activity every day, based on their desires of the moment. However, it is not necessary to be particularly sporty, since there are so many options that everyone can find their own way to have fun, but always in contact with nature.

As we have seen, in fact, affirm that it is a place suitable for literally everyone is not a euphemism at all, because of the numerous possibilities that the area offers, not only in terms of landscape but also for dedicating oneself to the activities that everyone finds most suitable for themselves.

Alpe d'Huez is also ideal for those who simply need a short break from everyday life or are looking for a location for a romantic weekend where spending a special occasion will be able to fully enjoy this magical atmosphere that only the mountains are capable of give as a gift, regardless of the season and what your passions are. Everyone will be able to enjoy the benefits of a long walk towards one of the numerous lakes, or a horseback ride admiring the wonderful panorama of the Grandes Rousses massif.