To enjoy a swim and some time by the water at the foot of the mountains, come put down your towel at la Baie des pommiers, in Chanteloube or Pré d'Emeraude. The boat trip embarks on la «Carline» leaving from Savines.
You can also discover the history of the biggest dam in Europe (Serre-Ponçon) at the muséoscope du lac. Fishing and water sports like windsurfing, kite-surfing, rafting, hydro-speed, and kayak are available with a network of professionals ready to teach eager beginners or welcome established enthusiasts.
Hike around the countryside and the high alpine pasture. You can leave directly from l'Auberge, where you can cross the forest by foot, mountain bike, horse, or even accompanied by a donkey. Find information at the Tourism office in Chorges for hiking paths and schedules including 250 km of marked itineraries (maps available for 3€) that criss-cross la vallée de l'Avance.
You are also at the gates of the Parc national des Ecrins where an alpine atmosphere awaits you in the heart of the valleys. For those who want to appreciate the scenery from even higher, all of the aerial sports are available : hot-air balloon excursions, gliding, and skydiving are at l'aérodrome de Tallard.
Come fill your baskets with various local products such as bread, the apples of the Durance, the pork butcheries of Ubaye, the cheese and «tourtons» from Champsaur, the wines of Châteauroux and la plaine de l'Avance, the «croquants» biscuits from Queyras, and high-altitude honey with the traditional «génépi». Sunday morning at the market in Chorges, or Saturday and Wednesday morning in Gap, you will find all the signature products of Provence. Olives, spices, flowers and plants.
The town centers of Gap, Embrun, and Briançon welcome you in their charming streets for pleasant afternoons of shopping. In the fall, don't miss the yard sales, very typical of the nearby communities.
