Abries lies at the confluence of the mountain streams Guil and Bouchet and is part of the Queyras Regional Nature Park. The village is therefore defined both by two named waterways and by its membership in the nature park. Other clearly distinct themes also come into play when choosing a trip: a protected parish ensemble, as well as alpine skiing and mountain biking. If you would rather not combine culture and outdoor activities into a single itinerary, you can first decide on the focus of your stay.
A complete parish ensemble
The parish ensemble comprises the parish church of Saint-Pierre et Saint-Paul, the Pénitents chapel and the churchyard enclosed by a perimeter wall. By decree dated February 7, 2014, the ensemble was listed as a historic monument. It is useful to distinguish between the ensemble as a whole and the church building: the church preserves medieval features, including its bell tower and stilophorous lions. It also preserves a 16th-century portal, a wooden dome and a painted vault in the choir. Stilophorous lions are lion figures designed as supports; the term therefore refers not only to an animal motif but also to an architectural function.
Alpine activities with different focuses
The Abries alpine ski area has slopes between 1,550 and 2,450 metres above sea level. The 900-metre difference is the elevation change between these endpoints, not the length of a single run. There is also a children’s park at the foot of the slopes. So, in addition to its elevation range, the resort offers a dedicated area at the foot of the slopes that is specifically designated for children.
The marked La Peynian ski touring route is also associated with Abries. The distinction is clear when choosing an activity: this is ski touring, whereas the alpine ski area offers groomed pistes. These names refer to different forms of skiing, which can be clearly distinguished based on the information provided.
The bike park is set among larch trees and offers downhill and all-mountain trails with banked turns and airy bridges. In addition to the types of trails, specific features of their design are also mentioned. The seasonal mountain biking programme “Initiation Mini Rider” is aimed at young people, starts in Abries and follows the Guil. Unlike the bike park, it is a separate programme with a specifically stated target group and a route along the river.
A dated glimpse of local festivities
A hands-on workshop was planned for the Fête du Pain on August 22 and 23, 2026: participants were to build a pizza oven from clay and straw; making and baking pizza over a wood fire were also part of the programme. This dated glimpse adds a concrete example from the local festivities to the architecture and activity themes.
This gives you a clear distinction when planning your trip: the parish ensemble and church provide specific points of interest for architectural history, while the pistes, ski touring route and bike park represent different types of activity. The seasonal youth programme along the Guil adds a distinct mountain biking focus.
Discover more destinations: Les Infournas, La Piarre, Ceillac, Cervières, Chorges, Champoléon, Le Sauze-Du-Lac, Le Glaizil.
See the broader travel overview: Hautes-Alpes.
