Situated at an altitude of 735 meters, Gap is nicknamed the "Gentle Capital". It offers an exceptional living environment in the heart of the Southern Alps, thanks in no small part to its climate, with no less than 300 days of sunshine a year! Surrounded by mountains, the Gap region boasts a diversity of landscapes, from plateaus to valleys, making it an ideal focal point for nature lovers and mountain sports enthusiasts. This privileged geographical position, between the Dauphiné and Provence regions, gives Gap a unique cultural identity, blending Alpine and Provencal charms.
In this article, we present a guide to the 12 must-sees when visiting Gap.
1. Visit Gap's historic town center with a guide
Explore Gap's historic town center with a local guide, and discover the hidden treasures and fascinating anecdotes of this city steeped in history. Stroll through the picturesque streets and admire the varied architecture of the Notre-Dame-et-Saint-Arnoux cathedral, for example, with its impressive bell tower-porch. Another must-see is Place Jean Marcellin, bustling with markets and cultural events. The guide will also reveal the secrets of the old bourgeois houses and historic buildings, such as the Hôtel de Ville and the Musée Muséum Départemental. This guided tour is the ideal opportunity to delve into Gap's past and understand its evolution over the centuries.
Petit Futé tip: don't forget to visit the Gap Tallard Vallées Tourist Office, where you can discover all the treasures of this wonderful region. Personally, we' ve fallen in love with Toutourisme , a great way to spend a vacation with your four-legged friend.
2. And don't forget Gap Cathedral!
This majestic cathedral stands in the heart of the town center, with its bell tower-porch rising to a height of 70 meters. The alternating stone colors are the result of the use of local materials, such as pink marble from Chorges. Built between 1867 and 1905 to plans by architect Charles Laisné, it blends Romanesque-Provençal and Gothic styles. Inside, the organ, located high up at the entrance, is particularly imposing. Balconies adorned with pretty arches and columns surround the church.
Read more : What to do and see in the Hautes-Alpes? The 19 must-sees
3. Take a stroll on the Charance estate
Nature just five minutes from town, with a magnificent view... ! Nestled at the foot of the Charance mountain, this vast 220-hectare estate offers visitors a free immersion in nature. Paths around a lake and through the forest invite you to enjoy peaceful strolls. The Domaine de Charance is home toa unique collection of 600 varieties of old roses. The terraced garden, classified as a Remarkable Garden, presents cultivated and wild plants in an original and dynamic way. And don't miss the Jardin alpin de Gap-Charance, the Domaine's discovery walks and the lake where you can watch ducks. An ideal place for young and old alike!
4. Visit the Parc national des écrins headquarters
Also located on the Charance estate, the Parc national des écrins headquarters is a must-see in Gap. It welcomes and informs visitors about the Park, offering free documentation as well as a variety of products for sale, such as books, atlases, postcards, video cassettes and T-shirts. All that's left to do is put on your mountain boots and explore the many trails of the Écrins. To do so, head for one of the seven geographical sectors of this protected area: near Gap, Champsaur-Valgaudemar or Embrunais; a little further afield, Vallouise and Briançonnais; and in Isère, Oisans and Valbonnais. Each valley has its own Maison du Parc to welcome you.
Worth knowing: The Charance showroom offers themed exhibitions all year round. In July and August, slide shows on the Ecrins National Park are regularly organized.
5. Visit the Écomusée de l'Artisanat in Gap
The Écomusée de l'Artisanat in Gap retraces the agricultural, economic and human history of the Hautes-Alpes through a collection of vintage tools, machines and engines used between 1790 and 1920. This ecomuseum highlights the ingenuity of the men and women - farmers, blacksmiths, clog-makers and farriers - who have perpetuated these techniques. Guided tours, available on reservation, offer a choice of two themes among six possibilities : agriculture, clog-making, wheelwrighting, mechanical energy, blacksmithing and sawmilling.
Read more: What to do in the Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur region? The 21 most beautiful places to visit
6. The Cinémathèque de Montagne in Gap, a must-see for mountain lovers
The Cinémathèque de Montagne in Gap is a must-see for film and mountain lovers. It offersa rich and varied program highlighting majestic landscapes and sporting exploits in the mountains. During these events, film screenings and literary encounters are organized for the public. In short, the Cinémathèque de Montagne is the place to be for mountain and film enthusiasts.
Read more: Top 11 hikes in Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur
7. Take the miners' trail from Villar-Saint-Pancrace
Here's an excellent opportunity to combine culture and hiking! The Sentier des mineurs invites you to follow in the footsteps of the peasant miners and their hard work. In the past, coal was used to make heating balls, and a few remnants of this exploitation are still visible today. If you follow the "sentier des charbonnières", after about 2 kilometers, you'll notice the remains of wagon tracks, indicating the presence of two former mines.
Good to know: the walk is free and fairly easy. You'll have about 8 km to walk, following the yellow signs.
8. Hautes-Alpes Departmental Museum
Located in Gap, the Musée Muséum Départemental is entirely free and accessible to all. This encyclopedic museum was initially built around a natural history donation, including naturalized plants and birds, but its permanent collections are rich and varied. In the vaulted basements, the archaeology collection traces the history of human occupation in the Alps, from prehistory to the Middle Ages. The Fine Arts collection includes paintings from the 14th to the 19th century, while 20th-century graphic works highlight the work of Lucien-Achille Mauzan. The ethnography section exploresQueyras traditions through beautiful wooden objects and furniture.
9. The Gap - Tallard Aerodrome, Europe's leading center for aerial leisure activities
What if your stay in Gap was an opportunity to try your hand at skydiving? It's the perfect time, because the Gap-Tallard aerodrome is recognized as Europe's leading center for aerial leisure activities. Internationally renowned, it plays host to numerous users and major events, particularly in parachuting. Several qualified service providers operate here, including Back-Bone, Bartair, le Cerps, Diagonale, Hélicoptères de France, Tarade Aero Service, Veloce Parachutisme, Paradrenalin', and Martin Kroke for aerobatic baptisms and glider discoveries. These passionate professionals allow you to discover the full diversity of recreational air sports.
To book : Experiencea tandem skydive at an altitude of 4,000 meters for maximum adrenalin from the Gap-Tallard aerodrome in the Alps by booking right here. Our passionate and experienced instructor will make your experience unforgettable!
10. The sanctuary of Notre-Dame du Laus, a Catholic spiritual Mecca
The sanctuary of Notre-Dame du Laus is an important Catholic spiritual site, located in the Hautes-Alpes region of France, in the heart of nature at an altitude of 900 meters. This Marian shrine has grown up around the basilica built on the site where the Virgin Mary appeared to a 17-year-old shepherdess, Benoîte Rencurel, between 1664 and 1718, in an isolated hamlet. Diocesan priests, religious men and women and lay people are dedicated to serving pilgrims, offering individual and punctual welcome, as well as retreats, themed sessions and chaplaincy groups.
Read more: Where to go for a spiritual retreat in France? The 11 most beautiful places
11. Château de Tallard
Located a 20-minute drive from Gap, the Château de Tallard is a must-see in the area. Access to the castle is via cobbled streets, along medieval remains and ramparts, such as the 13th-century Durance Gate, to discovera majestic site overlooking the village and the Durance valley. Although partly in ruins, notably the seigneurial dwelling with its towers and collapsed walls, this 14th and 16th century edifice retains its enclosure, its curtain wall, its vast guardroom and its flamboyant Gothic chapel of Saint-Jean. The chapel's interior is remarkable for its stained-glass windows, painted motifs, lancets and sculpted columns depicting the coats of arms of successive lords.
Read more : The 15 most beautiful villages in the Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur region
12. Discover local culinary specialties
Tourtons du Champsaur, delicious little brioches filled with jam, potatoes or meat, are a real treat. Donkey's ears, traditional pasta in the shape of small leaves, accompanied by tasty sauces, are also very popular. Cheese lovers won't want to miss the tourteau fromager, a fresh cheese made from cow's milk, often served with honey or jam. For charcuterie lovers, mountain ham and dry sausages are classics not to be missed. Finally, for desserts, croquants du Champsaur, dried almond cookies, and pognes, brioches scented with orange blossom, are local sweets to be savored without moderation in Gap's best restaurants.
Where to stay in Gap?
To determine the best neighborhood in which to stay in Gap, it's important to consider your personal preferences and specific needs, such as proximity to amenities, budget, and the type of atmosphere you're looking for. Here are some popular neighborhoods in Gap:
Downtown:
- Advantages: Proximity to shops, restaurants and public services. Ideal for those who like to be in the heart of the action.
- Disadvantages: Can be noisier and livelier, especially in the evenings.
Charance:
- Pros: Quiet residential neighborhood with beautiful mountain views. Close to nature and hiking trails.
- Disadvantages: Can be a little far from downtown amenities.
Discover our favorite accommodations in Gap :
- Our favorite hotel in Gap: the Nestor Hôtel
It's hard not to salute this establishment, where rooms are regularly refurbished, cleanliness is exemplary and service is of the highest quality Just five minutes from the center of Gap, close to a swimming pool and tennis courts, here's an establishment in its green setting that you can book here for a wonderful stopover and a stay without a false note. The + the restaurant where you're sure to enjoy yourself!
- Best value for money: La Cloche
La Cloche is a bar, hotel, restaurant and brasserie housed in a former stagecoach stop. Staying true to its history, it offers a warm welcome, as it should when you're just passing through and want to eat well and sleep well for less. The exterior is friendly, with a facade beautifully painted in green and burgundy, and the bell hanging from the balcony. In the restaurant, you can eat well: varied salads, plates from the Alps or Gavotte for lovers of tourtons.
- The most luxurious : le Gapotel
It's the only triple-starred restaurant in town: welcome to the Gapotel, which you can book right here. You park your car in front of the hotel for free, and from the moment you enter the large lobby, you're greeted with a smile. The special charm of this hotel is that it has a lovely shaded terrace at the back where you can lounge by the pool, something all too rare in the city and the region! In summer, it's a cool haven where you can relax in the best possible conditions.
Family activities in Gap
Gap offers a multitude of activities for families, combining nature, culture and leisure. Here are a few suggestions for making the most of your family holiday:
- Stroll around the Domaine de Charance: Enjoy a day in the great outdoors at the Domaine de Charance, where you can picnic, stroll around the lake and discover the botanical gardens. Children will love exploring the paths and watching the ducks.
- Visit the Musée Muséum Départemental: Immerse yourself in the natural and cultural history of the Hautes-Alpes. The museum features interactive exhibits and kid-friendly activities, making the visit both educational and fun.
- Explore the historic town center: Stroll through the picturesque lanes of the town center and admire the local architecture. The Notre-Dame-et-Saint-Arnoux cathedral and Place Jean Marcellin are must-sees.
- Hike the Sentier des Mineurs: Discover the region's mining history with a hike on the Sentier des Mineurs. Children can have fun learning, and the walk is accessible to all levels.
- Activities at Tallard aerodrome: For thrill-seekers, Tallard aerodrome offers a variety of aerial activities, including skydiving, gliding and helicopter flights. An unforgettable experience for the whole family.
What are the most beautiful villages to visit around Gap?
Around Gap, there are many picturesque villages worth visiting for their charm, history and magnificent scenery. Here are some of the most beautiful villages to discover:
- Tallard tallard: Located close to Gap, Tallard is famous for its medieval castle and its airfield, which is a major center for aerial leisure activities. The village also offers beautiful walks along the Durance river and interesting historical remains.
- La Grave although a little further afield, La Grave is one of the most beautiful mountain villages in the Alps. Nestled in the heart of the Écrins massif, it offers spectacular views of the surrounding peaks and is an ideal starting point for hiking and outdoor activities.
- Embrun located on the shores of Lake Serre-Ponçon, Embrun is a charming medieval town with a rich history. The Notre-Dame du Réal cathedral, the Tour Brune and the cobbled streets of the town center are just some of the reasons to visit this picturesque place.
- Saint-Véran recognized asone of the most beautiful villages in France, Saint-Véran is the highest village in Europe. Its traditional stone and wood houses, sundials and Alpine scenery make it a unique and enchanting place.
- Vallouise vallouise: Located in the Vallouise valley, this village is surrounded by majestic mountains and offers an idyllic setting for nature lovers. Hiking, climbing and outdoor activities abound in this region.
