The church art in Plampinet also makes Névache an interesting destination for a culture-focused trip. Other highlights include cross-country skiing, climbing and mountain scenery. If you’re looking for a hotel, you can first decide which of these interests you want to shape your stay.

Churches and Sundials

The Chapelle Notre-Dame-des-Grâces in the hamlet of Plampinet dates from the 15th century and contains well-preserved wall frescoes. It has been classified as a historic monument since 1928; its oldest painted panels date from 1450. The Church of Saint-Sébastien was built in the Romanesque style in 1510 and has been classified as a historic monument since 1991. Its 20 painted panels date from the 16th century and depict the Passion of Christ in chronological order. In comparison, the chapel’s history reaches back to the 15th century, while the church’s sequence of Passion scenes dates from the 16th century. Both churches can be visited as part of guided tours or by prior reservation. If you plan to visit the interiors, check in advance whether a visit is possible.

The façades in the Clarée Valley also offer a distinct cultural interest: there are around 30 painted sundials on house façades. Some can be seen between La Vachette and Névache-Ville-Haute. This broadens the focus beyond church interiors to painted house façades and another feature of the valley.

Cross-Country Skiing, the Pass and Climbing

The Névache Nordic ski area offers cross-country trails for beginners and experienced skiers alike. There are 45 kilometres of groomed trails between Plampinet and Névache. Check seasonally whether the trails are open and groomed. The Col de l’Échelle is at an altitude of 1,762 metres, connects the Clarée Valley with Italy and provides the route to the Vallée Étroite. In winter, cross-country skiers use the pass. Pass opening and road conditions vary by season; check these conditions if you plan to include the Col in your route.

High Valley, Wildlife and Climbing

The Haute vallée de la Clarée has been designated a Natura 2000 site since 2010. The Massif des Cerces is home to ibex, chamois and marmots. The nature-related highlights therefore have two distinct points of reference: the high valley’s designated status and the wildlife of the Massif des Cerces. There are also more than 100 climbing routes around Plampinet, graded from 3C to 8A. Check route conditions and access locally.

The access considerations differ considerably when planning your trip: church visits depend on guided tours or reservations; cross-country skiing and the Col are seasonal, and you should check local conditions and access for climbing areas. So, if you’re looking for a hotel, first choose between focusing on interior visits and activities that are seasonal or require local conditions and access to be checked.

Discover more destinations: Les Orres, Saint-Crépin, Savournon, Arvieux, Buissard, Abries, Pelvoux, Puy-Sanières

For the broader travel overview: Hautes-Alpes.