map of the area

Snowgums gite is on the edge of Briancon, highest town in the Alps at 1200m, in Serre Chevalier valley in the southern French Alps. There are two self-catering apartments which can be rented weekly and fortnightly throughout the year. Briancon, in hautes alpes, is at the heart of several valleys as well as being the crossroads of Provence and Italy. It is a stunning area for all mountain sports and family holidays, and has 300 days of sunshine a year!

Briancon old town
Play time in Briancon

There is good access to all facilities and the apartments are 5 minutes from Chantemerle where cable cars take you to the top of Serre Chevalier, and onto the network of 250 km of ski routes (1200-2800m). Alternatively from Chantemerle you can take the free ski shuttle bus which runs up and down the valley regularly throughout the day.

There are many other superb climbing and skiing destinations within easy reach by car. Montgenevre, on the Italian border, is 20 minutes drive away. La Grave, world off piste mecca, is 35 minutes drive, and Les Deux Alpes is just over the hill from La Grave. There is also a host of superb ice climbing and kayaking at L’Argentierre le Bessee, 25 minutes away. And lots, lots more!

Ibex, one of the mountain inhabitants in the hills near Snowgums
Snowgums nestled in a beautiful valley in the French Alps

Briancon itself is an old fort town with cobbled streets, terraced houses and winding alley ways. It is perched on a hill overlooking two alpine valleys. Snowgums is on the edge of the town with a field opposite sloping down to a glacial river (grade III kayaking). The 225 year old house has a half acre walled garden with a small apple orchard.

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