Where is Serre Chevalier?
Serre Chevalier lies between the Col du Lautaret mountain pass (2100m) and one of Europe’s highest towns Briançon (1200m), and is at the foot of the Ecrins National Park.
Latitude E 06° 34’ 18’’ – Longitude N 44° 56’ 45’’.
If you’re interested in finding out how to get to Serre Chevalier, click here.
What’s Serre Chevalier’s highest mountain peak?
The highest peak is the beautiful Les Agneaux at 3664m. Take a look at the main photo image on our Mountain Activities page!
When are the mountain lifts & restaurants open?
When is it most busy in Serre Chevalier?
Serre Chevalier is still off the radar of most holiday-makers – if only they knew what they were missing! It does however still feel busier during the French school holidays:
2011
21/10/11 – 03/11/11 All Saints Holiday 2011
16/12/11 – 03/01/12 Christmas 2011 & New Year 2011/12 Holidays
2012
10/02/12 – 12/03/12 February School Holidays 2012
06/04/12 – 30/04/12 April Easter Holidays 2012 (not overly busy though)
05/07/12 – 04/09/12 Summer Holidays 2012
26/10/12 – 08/11/12 All Saints Holiday 2012
21/12/12 – 07/01/13 Christmas 2012 & New Year 2012/13 Holidays
2013
15/02/13 – 18/03/13 February School Holidays 2013
12/04/13 – 13/05/13 April Easter Holidays 2013 (not overly busy though)
03/07/13 – 00/00/00 (tbc) Summer Holidays 2013
What key events take place in Serre Chevalier?
Year after year we’ve seen big sporting events such as the Tour de France come to Briançon town and Serre Chevalier, plus World Climbing and Junior Mountain Bike events. Here’s a list of a few that are worth coming to see and/or take part in, and not just sporting events:
Medieval Festival:
The medieval ages come back to Briançon Cité Vauban (old fortified town), a great weekend for families and anyone keen to get involved
http://www.ot-briancon.fr/fr/evenements/juillet/Fete-Medievale-du-Grand-Escarton,1165
2-3 July 2011
Tour de France Stage 17:
Gap (through Briançon) to Pinerolo
http://www.letour.fr/2011/TDF/LIVE/us/1700/index.html
20 July 2011
Tour de France Stage 18:
Pinerolo (through Briançon & Serre Chevalier) to Col du Galibier
http://www.letour.fr/2011/TDF/LIVE/us/1800/index.html
21 July 2011
Mondial de l’Escalade:
International Climbing Festival & Competition
http://www.mondial-escalade-briancon.com/
25-30 July 2011
The Granon Challenge (La Serre Che Luc Alphand):
One of the oldest and hardest cycle races in the Hautes Alpes, average 9.3% uphill, to 2404m altitude
http://www.cyclo-lucalphand.com/granon/reglement.html
15 August 2011
The Haute Route:
A new week-long event for road cyclists, taking in grueling cols such as the Col du Galibier, Col du Granon and Col de l’Izoard
http://www.hauteroute.org/fr/
23-25 August 2011
Ice driving DAF Cup (Coupe DAF):
Open to all fans of the DAF car from years 1960-75, a weekend of fun DAF car racing competitions
http://trophee-andros-circuit-pilotage-glace-conduite-neige-stage.circuitserrechevalier.com/daf.htm
7-8 January 2012
Ice driving Classic Cars (Ronde Hivernale Historique):
A weekend event for anyone with a car older than 25 years (1987 onwards), timed circuits – awesome fun!
http://trophee-andros-circuit-pilotage-glace-conduite-neige-stage.circuitserrechevalier.com/ronde.htm
14-15 January 2012
Ice driving Winter Sprint (Sprint Hivernale):
Weekend event where you can drive your own car on the ice in a challenging competition!
http://trophee-andros-circuit-pilotage-glace-conduite-neige-stage.circuitserrechevalier.com/sprint.htm
21-22 January 2012
Serre Chevalier Derby:
Two day weekend event for skiers and snowboarders, he/she who takes the fastest line down the mountain wins.
http://www.derbydeserreche.fr/
Mid-March 2012 (tbc)
What other resorts are nearby Serre Chevalier?
Serre Chevalier is a great base for venturing further afield. Here’s a list of resorts you can take off to for a day’s skiing (or walking, climbing, biking, …) and all within an hour’s drive. We can organise transfers to all of these resorts if you don’t have a car:
- Clavière, Italy (15km) ☺
- Puy Saint Vincent (23km) ☺
- La Grave-La Meije (24km)
- Vallouise (24km)
- Sestriere, Italy (34km) ☺
- Sauze d’Oulx, Italy (36km)
- Risoul 1850 (45km)
- Les Deux Alpes (48km) ☺
- Les Orres (59km)
- Alpe d’Huez-Vaujany (64km) ☺
☺ = A one day lift pass for each of these resorts is included with Serre Chevalier’s 6 Day Lift Pass (winter only). Read more about lift passes.
What about facilities for the disabled?
Serre Chevalier’s Tourist Office has recently produced a very handy guide which provides lots of information for disabled visitors. You can read more about their accommodation suggestions and activities here. Please call or email us if you have any specific questions and we’ll aim to get them answered.
