Our roadtrip starts with a stopover on the shores of the sublime Lac de Serre-Ponçon, the jewel of the Hautes-Alpes. We'd been dreaming of discovering it for quite some time! We weren't disappointed! We enjoyed the site for the day, but it's an ideal destination for a memorable family holiday.

With its sunny beaches, varied water sports activities and breathtaking scenery, this man-made lake offers a range of experiences to suit all members of the family. After a day of swimming and relaxing, we're back on the road. A night's camping awaits us. We chose the "Les Milles vents" campsite in Saint Clément sur Durance for a good night's rest before continuing our roadtrip.

We leave the Queyras and head for the city of Briançon. From our sleeping spot the night before, we chose to climb the legendary Col de l'Izoard at 234m. There are a lot of cyclists attempting to climb the pass, and at times we find it hard to get through.
After a photo stop at the summit, we make our way to Briançon. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the town of Brainçon, nicknamed the "Cité Vauban", is a historical marvel. Its impressive fortifications, built by the military architect Vauban, attract visitors of all ages. Children will be delighted to immerse themselves in history through interactive guided tours, while parents will appreciate the preserved architecture of the old town.

After a visit to the old town and a bite to eat in a restaurant, we return to our van and head for the verdant Clarée valley.

Renowned for its unspoilt wild beauty, the Clarée Valley is a real jewel in the crown of the Hautes-Alpes. Our route takes us to the very bottom of the valley, past Névache and the Col de l'Echelle, and after a vertiginous descent to the hamlet of Granges de la Vallée Etroite, the starting point for today's hike.

Walk to Lac Vert
Departure/arrival point: N 44.690415° / E 6.976064° (North)
Distance; 4km
Difference in altitude: 120m D+ (+)

After this wonderful discovery of Lac Vert, we set off again for our sleeping spot of the day: "Camping du Bois des Alberts", on the banks of the Clarée river. It's an ideal place to fill up our van with clean water, drain the grey water and take a hot shower.
The next day we left the Clarée valley and headed for the final stage of our roadtrip: the Ecrins National Park.

On the way, we once again passed through some of the most beautiful passes in the Alps and had a picnic stop with a view from the Col du Lautaret. The legendary Col du Galibier is just a stone's throw away, and that's all we need to decide to climb this giant. The view from the summit is impressive, with the Barre des Ecrins in front of us and Mont Blanc on the northern horizon.

We stopped off on the banks of the small Lac du Pontet before heading for our overnight spot, high above the commune of La Grave, at Le Chazelet. An incredible day awaits us the next day.

A few facts about the Ecrins National Park: it's one of the pearls of the Hautes-Alpes. Covering more than 91,000 hectares, it offers a diversity of landscapes ranging from lush green valleys to snow-capped peaks=; For a family day out, there's nothing like an easy hike along well-marked trails. Children will marvel at the abundant flora and fauna, while older children will enjoy the breathtaking panoramas.

This last day of our roadtrip in the Hautes-Alpes in a converted van promises to be a spectacular one! The Meije and its glacier await us. We've had a quick breakfast! We're off to La Grave, a charming village at 1500m, where the cable car starts. It takes 45 minutes to reach an altitude of 3200m! A stopover is possible at 2400m where there is an intermediate station.

When the cable car arrives, the Meije and its 3900m peaks lie before us. There's a high-altitude bar/restaurant for lunch, with a view of the Northern Alps. The temperature was cool despite the fine weather. After lunch, we discovered the Glacier de la Girose, so beautiful but fragile, and continued on to the Grotte de Glace, which we visited as a family. It is only accessible on fine days. We wandered through the galleries and observed all the sculptures carved into the walls.

We left on the last cable car of the afternoon and took advantage of the new-found mildness to explore La Grave and its narrow streets of stone houses. After a bit of shopping, it's time to hit the road again to continue our exploration of the Northern Alps - Savoie awaits!

"As the saying goes, "The mountains win you over! I think this roadtrip in a converted van in the Alps lived up to all these promises! We were treated to incredible landscapes, the charm of traditional mountain villages, accessible hikes, sleeping spots close to nature and steep but grandiose roads! The Hautes-Alpes department is still unspoilt by mass tourism, and is authentic, unspoilt and welcoming!

It offers a diverse range of activities and sites to visit for families looking for adventure and relaxation. With its unspoilt nature, historic heritage and fun activities, this French region is the ideal destination for a memorable family holiday. Whatever the season, the Hautes-Alpes promises moments of shared happiness in the heart of the mountains.