A holiday in the mountains isn't just about board sports and mountain walks, it's also about learning about nature and the rich heritage of Serre Chevalier Vallée Briançon. In summer or winter, for a day or even a few hours, here are a few ideas to help you learn and have a great time as a family. Several tours are completely dedicated to children, and most are suitable for all members of the family. Choose from a visit to the visitor centre at Le Casset, the Maison du Parc du Briançonnais, or the Maison de la géologie et du géoparc to find out more about the Ecrins National Park and see it in a different light during your walk. There are also plenty of themed guided tours to take in Briançon, including treasure hunts, cookery workshops and snowshoeing with a guide who will tell you all about this fortified town.
Briançon, City of Art and History
- © MisterStock / Shutterstock
This visitor centre in the Parc des Ecrins offers films, information and workshops for children during the school holidays. Admission is free and you can watch films about marmots, wolves and ibexes. There are also workshops for children on insects and animal tracks...
To be discovered as you stroll through the park.
You can find the full programme of events on the Ecrins National Park website.
Chamois observed in the Parc National des Ecrins
- © Gertjan Hooijer / ShutterstockIn Briançon, next to the gargoyle, is the Maison du Parc du Briançonnais, with two permanent exhibitions:
A great museum to do with the kids, with an outdoor area, the geodrome, which traces the history of the Alps along a path behind the museum, and an indoor area with lots of teaching tools to teach children about local geology, as well as four life-size models of dinosaurs. It's a real favourite with younger visitors.
The House of Geology and Geopark is open every Wednesday from 2pm to 5pm outside school holidays, and on Wednesdays and Fridays at the same times during the holidays.
In summer, Christian Aubert accompanies you on one-and-a-half-hour astro-mythological walks with his laser pointer to help you discover the sky.
👛Prices:
Adults: €9
Children aged 6 to 14: €6
Under 6s: free
Booking essential on 06 75 04 38 63
Dates available on the Odyssée Stellaire website
Briançon is the largest fortified town in the region and well worth a day's visit to discover all its secrets. You can opt for a guided tour or visit the town on your own using the Patrimoine Hautes-Alpes app, which suggests routes through the town.
Guided tours must be booked in advance on the Serre Chevalier website or at one of the 4 offices of the Serre Chevalier Tourist Office.
There are several 2-hour guided tours on offer:
👛 Guided tour prices:
The collegiate church of Notre-Dame and Saint-Nicolas dominates the city walls of Briançon.
- © Francesco Bonino / ShutterstockIn winter, a great way to visit the heritage of Briançonnais in a different way, with Terres de Trek mountain guides and guide-lecturers, all on snowshoes.
Every Thursday from mid-December to the end of March, depending on the snow conditions, you can take a 2? hour walk to visit the three forts: Fort des Trois Têtes, Fort Dauphin and Fort du Randouillet. Snowshoes and poles are provided, you'll just need to wear the right pair of shoes for this hike. This outing is reserved for children aged 8 and over.
👛Prices:
Adults: €43
Children aged 8 to 11: €36
For a fun and original discovery of Briançon in which families will have to solve riddles and unlock the town's secrets. This tour is available in both summer and winter, just make sure you bring the right clothes for children in winter.
👛Prices:
Full price: €8
Concession: €6
Children aged 4 to 11: €2.5
Free for children under 4.
Another unusual way to experience Briançon in gourmet mode. In 2? hours, you'll discover the history and cuisine of Briançon as you cook old-fashioned wheat based on local stories. This tour is suitable for everyone and is offered at snack time.
👛Prices:
Full price: €15
Reduced rate : 13,5€
Children aged 6 to 11: €8
Free for children under 6.
Serre Chevalier
