Top 7 viewpoints to explore

in the French Southern Alps

Discover our selection of viewpoints, those ideal spots high up in the mountains where you can let go and say a few words out loud as if you were alone in the world, with breathtaking views for the most beautiful photos for your Instagram feed. And keep your eyes open wide and thank Mother Nature for them. Between the land and the sea, these paths will sweep you off to discover the heights of the French Southern Alps with a wide-open view over the sunny landscapes.

Get a boost of adrenaline at the Vertige d’Auron

On the resort of Auron’s fitness trail, take the 3.5 km loop which takes you to the Vertige d’Auron. This short almost flat walk follows the road and you can even take the pushchair, so you can take the whole family with you! As you make your way through the resort, admire the magnificent chalets with their mountain views. In a short while, you’ll suddenly see a vertiginous 5-metre-long walkway jutting out from the mountainside… Viewpoint finders add to the scenery of the Vertige d’Auron and will help you to recognise the surrounding peaks. You’ll be able to see the Haute Tinée valley and the mountains of the Mercantour in a fantastic panoramic view.

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Climb the Col d’Allos for total escape

At over 2,000 metres, the Col d’Allos is impressive and a difficult climb! No worries, you can do it by motorbike, bicycle or even by car, if your legs aren’t ready. This pass marks the passage from the Ubaye valley to the Verdon valley. You can reach it from Barcelonette (17 kilometres) on the North side. As it winds up to the top, the narrow road along the rocky cliffside follows the natural mountain formation of the Mercantour National Park. Above the Gorges du Bachelard, this road has some beautiful views. To the East, you’ll be able to make out the first slopes of the Col de la Cayolle. The other road twists and turns over 22 kilometres on the South side from Colmars-les-Alpes, along the River Verdon and goes through the ski resorts of the Val d’Allos. So whichever route you choose, you’ll get a breathtaking panoramic view over the two valleys when you get to the top!

Dare to step into thin air in La Grave

Head for the observation platform at the Col des Portes with an exciting climb. From the village of La Grave, it’s a 10-minute drive or about forty minutes walk and you’ll be impatient to discover the viewpoint. Stop off at the little Sainte-Anne du Chazelet oratory which overlooks the valley. Between the hamlets of Les Terrasses and Le Chazelet, you’ll get a splendid panoramic view of the Meije massif. Just opposite you, next to the viewpoint finder, you’ll see the observation platform! A perch like you’ve never seen before. Walk out onto the steel walkway and you’ll feel as if you’re suspended in mid-air, hundreds of metres above the ground. Make the most of these thrilling minutes to admire the stunning view over the valley.

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Reach the Col de la Bonette via the highest road in Europe

Set off on the road from the Ubaye Valley to the Cime de la Bonnette which links it to the Tinée Valley and goes up to the Col de la Bonette. At an altitude of 2,802 metres, this is the highest asphalted road in France! When you reach the top coming from Jausiers in the Ubaye Valley or from St-Etienne-de-Tinée in the Tinée Valley, a little path takes you right to the top of the mountain in the summer. The toad from the valleys makes for an impressive climb, especially for the determined walkers who do the whole thing on foot. But you can do it by bike, motorbike or by car for a more comfortable 23.3 km climb and a positive gradient of 1,590 metres. Your reward: a magnificent view over the two valleys.

Admire the Lake of Serre-Ponçon from above

In gorgeous sunny weather and with your hiking boots on your feet, set off to discover a private peak to the north of the Lake of Serre-Ponçon, which has one of the most beautiful views of its Caribbean blue water. The Mont Orel hike, a 4-hour loop which is only possible in summer, starts at the Col de la Coche in Saint-André d’Embrun. Walk along the many sections off the beaten track which promise a complete change of scenery to reach the pass. When you reach the part on a road track as you follow the valley’s slopes to the Cabane de Pra Mouton you’ll know that you’ll soon be at the top. You’ll feel really excited as you take your last steps and get a reward that will live up to your expectations: a rather unusual view of the lake in line with the River Durance.

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Find cool air at the Dormillouse lakes

In the Alpes de Haute Provence, go for the “Les Lacs du Col Bas et Batterie de Dormillouse n°40b ” hike for an authentic and invigorating escapade. Head for the chairlifts of the resort of Montclar with a stop at La Brèche to see the Fort, while the terminus of the La Brèche chairlift will take you to the Lac Noir. After just 4 kilometres from Montclar, you’ll reach one of the most beautiful viewpoints over the Ubaye Valley, the Blanche Valley and the Lake of Serre-Ponçon. The Lacs du Col Bas site is a listed Sensitive Natural Area and its biodiversity is a real asset on this nature hike! And what we really love is the descent from the Lac Noir across the pastoral mountain of Col Bas to get to the larch-filled banks of the Lac du Milieu.

Arriving at the Col d’Izoard, the gateway to the Queyras

Welcome to the Col de l’Izoard between the Briançonnais and the Queyras. It’s on the Route des Grandes Alpes which links Lake Léman to the Mediterranean. And if its name sounds familiar, it’s because it’s an unavoidable stage for the Tour de France pack. Make the most of the summer months or put on your snowshoes, cross-country skis or touring skis to get to the top. From Briançon, 19.2 kilometres of trails are a promise of beautiful discoveries and particularly the most legendary part of the pass: la Casse désert and its barren, lunar landscape. You get the feeling you’ve crossed borders and reached new horizons. And lastly, the memorable arrival at the top with the Queyras and the Ubaye, the Écrins massif and the Pelvoux and their picture postcard views!