The upper Romanche Valley stretches out at the foot of one of the most beautiful summits of the Ecrins, La Meije. The north facing side of the valley is rugged and wild with glaciers and summits of close to 4000 m (13120 feet). On the sunny side, green terraced fields, charming hamlets, alpine lakes and meadows brimful of alpine flowers dominate the picture. Everywhere, there are lovely spots where you can enjoy the contrast between Alpine pastures and rugged peaks. Below we have listed some of the most beautiful natural sites around La Grave and Villar d’Arène.
Girose Glacier
The glacier unveils as soon as you leave the top station of the La Grave Cable Car. To admire the glacier up close you can go on a glacier walk with the La Grave Guides and visit the ice cave.
Emparis Plateau
The softly curved grassy Emparis plateau forms a stunning contrast to the wild and spectacular frozen realm of the north faces. The blue mirror of the Noir and Lérié Lakes reflect the splendor of the Meije massif.
Goléon Lake
In a hanging valley above the picturesque village of Valfroide lies the scenic Goleon Lake. At the lake, la Meije attracts all the attention while the Goleon peak reigns at the back of the valley.
Aiguillon – Pontet Lake
Behind the green Aiguillon ridge, mellow meadows stretch towards the Ponet Lake and the Lautaret pass with the twin peaks of the Agneaux in the distance and a wonderful view of the valley.
Alpe de Villar d’Arène
In the alpine pastures of Villar d’Arène, at the threshold of the Ecrins National Park, the summits are all around but the green grass, the marmots and the mountain huts make it easy to relax.
Arsine Lakes
In the Arsine Cirque, the high peaks are mirrored in the glacier lakes made by the retreat and melt-off of the Arsine Glacier.
Pavé Lake
Higher up, the Ecrins National Park have a number of gems in store. This emerald-coloured high altitude lake also owes its origin to a retreating glacier.
8 fiches
Lautaret pass - Natural Reserve of Combeynot
D1091, Villar-d'Arêne
Lautaret pass - Natural Reserve of Combeynot
The Lautaret pass is the crossing point between the Romanche Valley and the Guisane Valley. It is also one of the lowest points on the ridge line separating the Northern Alps and the…
Ecrins National Park
, Briançon
Ecrins National Park
Covering an area of 91,800 hectares in the central zone, the Ecrins National Park, straddling the Isère and Hautes-Alpes department, covers a mountainous surface ranging from 800 to 4,102…
Natura 2000 - Haute Romanche
Mairie de la Grave, La Grave
Natura 2000 - Haute Romanche
The world's largest network of biodiversity conservation.
Natura 2000 is born from the desire to maintain this biodiversity while taking into account, social, economic, cultural and…
Puy Vachier Lake
, La Grave
Puy Vachier Lake
Puy Vachier Lake is at the bottom of a valley surrounded by rocky bar in a rather mineral world, close to the second intermediate of the cable car station; about 1 hour walk.
There is a…
Emparis plateau lakes
Depart du Chazelet, La Grave
Emparis plateau lakes
Lerie lake and Black lake, nestled on the plateau from Emparis are just magnificent viewpoints to the edges of the North face from La Meije and 'Le Rateau' pic 3809 m, 2 famous peaks of the…
Le lac du Pontet
Les cours, Villar-d'Arêne
Le lac du Pontet
Beautiful lake above the hamlet of Les Cours, near Villar d'Arêne.
You can get closer by car, but the walk starting from Les Cours hamlet, across the fields by the small road, is very…
Goléon lake
Lac du Goléon_Depart du Hameau des Hières, La Grave
Goléon lake
From the Goleon Lake, you'll have breathtaking views of the surrounding glaciers and of the peaks of La Meije, Aiguilles d'Arves and Aiguilles de la Saussaz.
