5. From Monêtier-les-Bains to Vallouise via Col de l’Eychauda (stage of the GR 54)

Flora

Geology

History and architecture

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From La Guisane to La Vallouise, this stage takes in the famous Col de l'Eychauda before reaching the alpine pastures of Chambran.

A brief foray into the Guisane valley, better known as the Serre Chevalier valley, and already the summits are rising all around us. The climb is gentle and shaded, and arrives in the alpine pastures with their Monêtier ski-lifts. We must wait until Col de l'Eychauda to leave the landscaped areas and take in the breathtaking view over the Chambran valley. A stop at the pastoral hut is also an invitation for a stroll. But there is still a long way to go and Vallouise, lower down, is full of treasures.

Description

Opposite the Grands Bains, go past the Arts et Vie (SO) residence along a road leading to a car park.

Turn left towards Peyra Juana. 200 metres further on, take the right-hand footpath towards the Saint-Antoine du Charvet chapel (1 608 m). Walk around the chapel and then go up along the footpath on the right.
At the next intersection, stay on the GR footpath to the left. The path follows La Selle mountain stream beneath the crests of the Lauzières. It then leaves the forest near the high-altitude restaurant and the departure point for three chairlifts.
Continue along the valley on the left under the Eychauda chairlift as far as the mountain pass of the same name (2 425 m). On the left you pass by the Col de la Cucumelle footpath. The route down the Neyzet ravine goes under one more chairlift. On the left you pass by the paths to Col de Fréjus and Col de La Pisse. Under the Roche Gauthier, the route descends a rocky escarpment, then the footpath runs along the Sastrière ravine and across a series of three ravines.
At the ruins of the Riou-la-Selle chalet (1 750 m), the wide footpath joins up again with the track going up to Lake Eychauda. Walk along the road as far as the Chambran chalets (1 715 m).
Continue along the road that follows the mountain stream and take the footpath on the right (1 689 m) that cuts across it before rejoining it lower down. 300 metres further on, after the house in the bend in the road (1 531 m), you will arrive at the footpath again. You can see the Pelvoux ski resort. From the Baumasse ravine (1 417 m), you will take the road again as far as Le Sarret. From the southern exit of the village (1 234 m), the 994 E road leads to Vallouise (1 170 m).

Departure : Le Monêtier-les-Bains
Arrival : La Vallouise
Towns crossed : Le Monêtier-les-Bains and Vallouise-Pelvoux

Altimetric profile

Recommandations

Is in the midst of the park

The national park is an unrestricted natural area but subjected to regulations which must be known by all visitors.

Sensitive areas

Along your trek, you will go through sensitive areas related to the presence of a specific species or environment. In these areas, an appropriate behaviour allows to contribute to their preservation. For detailed information, specific forms are accessible for each area.

Black grouse - winter

Impacted practices:: , Land

Sensitivity periods:: JanFebMarAprDec

Contact:: PN Ecrins BERGEON Jean-Pierre jean-pierre.bergeon@ecrins-parcnational.fr QUELLIER Hélène helene.quellier@ecrins-parcnational.fr Membre de l OGM ogm.vds@gmail.com ogm.amblard@gmail.com

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6 points of interest

History
Charvet Chapel
Near the arrival of the old Charvet button lift, dating from 1948 (still present, but disused since the end of the 2003/2004 season), is the Charvet chapel, which was built in 1755. Easy to access both in summer and winter from Le Monêtier, it provides hikers with a wonderful panorama over the southern Guisane valley.
It is quite unusual for a chapel in the region to be dedicated to Saint Anthony of Padua rather than to Saint Anthony the Great. Was there a shift in patronage over time? The fact the saints had the same name led to the particular qualities of each one being mixed up.
Geology and geography
The front of the nappes
The two slopes of the Chambran valley are very different: the right bank, minerals are very present. There are granites and gneiss making up the crystalline base of the Ecrins massif. On the left bank, the prairies are sandstone and chalky. These are part of the glacial thrust sheet: they are ancient sediments deposited mostly to the East, in the Alpine ocean, then carried here by compression at the time of the formation of the Alps.
Pastoralism
Evolution of pastoralism
In the valley, the ruins of numerous piles of stones resulting from the removal of stones in the hay meadows are witness to another age. Most of these old prairies are now grazed by sheep. Pastoralism has evolved: no more local flocks so less hay, the valley is now occupied by a large flock from the Haute-Provence Alps.
Pastoralism
Evolution of pastoralism
In the valley, the ruins of numerous piles of stones resulting from the removal of stones in the hay meadows are witness to another age. Most of these old prairies are now grazed by sheep. Pastoralism has evolved: no more local flocks so less hay, the valley is now occupied by a large flock from the Haute-Provence Alps.
History
Chambran Hamlet
At an altitude of 1700 meters, this hamlet is inhabited in summer, at the beginning of the summer pasture. The old dairy has been spruced up to become a snack bar. It’s pretty little chapel dedicated to Saint Jean is very simple and bare.
Vernacular heritage
Chambran chalets
Remnants of a way of life that has disappeared, the Chambran chalets were once a high-altitude village where flocks stayed during the summer months. Today this is a welcome stop along the GR54 and the starting point for hikes towards Lake Eychauda.