4. From Pré-Clot to La Ville

6 points of interest

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  Fauna

  Rock ptarmigan

  The Alpine forest storey is home to a timid bird that changes its plumage for camouflage : the rock ptarmigan. Once living all over all the continent during the glaciations of the Quaternary period, the species has now withdrawn to the areas providing it with the climatic conditions that best suit it. This fragile population is monitored by the National Park as part of a programme including all the Alpine area, and led by OGM (Observatoire des Galliformes de Montagne). The aim, in particular, is to follow the reproduction of the species each year.

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  Panorama

  Panorama from Plat de la Selle

  A superb panorama over the Vénéon valley. To the left, on the other side of the valley, is the upper Lavey valley, dominated by the Aiguille des Arias at 3,402 m. At the foot of the Aiguille, the Mariande valley and its characteristic barrier, itself crowned by the Tête de Lauranoure with a peak of  3,325 m above the Alpe du Pin Refuge, which can be seen from below. The next valley is the Lanchatra, with above it the Roche de la Muzelle at an altitude of 3,665 m. A little further on, a village can be seen clearly - Venosc and its cable car, leading to the Deux Alpes ski resort.

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  Flora

  European larch

  The larch is the only European resinous tree to lose its leaves  (called needles, because of their shape) in winter. Its wood is reddish brown in colour. In the landscape, it stands out due to its colours, ranging from pale green in spring to the golden colours of autumn. Its pink flowers are celebrated by naturalists and photographers in spring. The European larch is a colonising tree on the mountain slopes. While it can adapt to harsh conditions at high altitude, it cannot hold out against competition with other trees.

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  Vernacular heritage

  Saint-Christophe-en-Oisans Church

  The church houses a polychromatic wooden statue of Saint Christopher, and another polychromatic and gold wooden statue of the Virgin and child. Both statues date from the 17th century.
  Make sure you visit the cemetery behind the church, where a large number of mountain climbers and guides, including the famous Pierre Gaspard, have their resting place.

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  History

  Musée Mémoires d'Alpinisme

  At the centre of the village of Saint-Christophe en Oisans, the Mountain-Climbing Memorial Museum is a treasure trove of knowledge about the major figures who wrote the history of mountain-climbing in the Ecrins range . On the lower level is a large model of the mountain range, with numerous portraits of the pioneers and the equipment of the period. On the second level, the focus in on more recent climbing, with the exploration of tougher routes and a section devoted to the many women - often little known - who have taken part in the adventure of mountain climbing.
  The third level is dedicated to temporary exhibitions about the Vénéon valley. This surprising museum is not to be missed !

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  Know-how

  Accommodation in Saint-Christophe-en-Oisans

  Whether you at La Cordée or the Relais des Ecrins, you are in the commune of St-Christophe. Here you will be welcomed with simplicity, in a small village that has kept its charm and authenticity, with the mountain atmosphere absolutely everywhere and peacefulness abounding.
  Marie-Claude Turc, the restaurant owner, whose grandparents opened La Cordée hotel in 1907, will delight you with the Creusets of St-Christophe, the valley's main speciality.