The Gorges of the Guil, gateway to the Queyras | Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Tourism

The Gorges of the Guil

This vertiginous canyon fascinates travellers with its steep slopes, cliffs and grandiose, austere landscapes. The Gorges of the Guil are also home to the only road that gives you year-round access to the Queyras.

The vertiginous route of the Gorges of the Guil

There are three routes to the valleys and villages of the Queyras. However, the roads over the Col de l’Izoard and the Col d’Agnel are closed to traffic in winter. The Col de l’Izoard reaches an altitude of 2,360 metres, while the Col d’Agnel is 2,744 metres above sea level.

The Gorges of the Guil remain the main route for locals and travellers to the Queyras. The road known as the Viste, built in 1855, was very winding with a series of switchbacks known as the “Tourniquet”. Built between 1905 and 1911, the current road replaces the previous route and is more accessible.

Dominated by impressive cliffs, the Gorges of the Guil road offers breathtaking views of the tumultuous torrent below. Several tunnels were dug in the mid-twentieth century to improve comfort and safety for motorists. Downstream of the gorge, you can also admire a small reservoir that feeds a hydroelectric dam.

Film fans may recognise the road from the film Les Valseuses starring Gérard Depardieu, Patrick Dewaere and Miou Miou.

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Hamlets and villages in the Queyras

Several hamlets overlook the gorges of the Guil. On the left bank of the Guil, you can reach the hamlet of Montbardon, and hike to the Fontantie chalets, which are home to shepherds and their flocks in summer. Les Escoyères nestles on a plateau overlooking the right bank of the River Guil. From this hamlet, you can walk to the chapel of Sainte Marie-Madeleine, or set off on a long hike.

You can also take advantage of your stay to visit the authentic villages of the Queyras. Abriès-Ristolas awaits you at the foot of Mont Viso, and Arvieux is the last stop for cyclists wanting to climb the Col de l’Izoard. Ranked as one of the “Most Beautiful Villages in France”, Saint-Véran attracts many visitors every year. You can also visit Aiguilles, Ceillac, Château-Ville-Vieille, Eygliers or Molines-en-Queyras.

Military and civilian heritage in the Hautes-Alpes

The Guil joins the Durance valley. This natural communication route provides easy access to Provence, and in the past could have facilitated the movement of an enemy army. Louis XIV entrusted Vauban with the task of reinforcing the defences on the borders of his kingdom by building powerful citadels.

Overlooking Guillestre and the Durance, the stronghold of Mont-Dauphin was built at the top of cliffs, on a natural defensive position. Its walls house a new town, built at the same time as the citadel. Mont-Dauphin, a UNESCO World Heritage site, can be visited all year round.

Upstream from the Gorges of the Guil, Fort Queyras was built in the Middle Ages to ensure the security of this mountainous region at the crossroads of several kingdoms. It was extensively modified by Vauban to ensure its inviolability.

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A wide range of nature activities

You can go rafting or kayaking down the Guil, choosing a route suited to your physical condition and level. A number of service providers offer turnkey excursions, supervised by qualified instructors.

The Gorges of the Guil can also be explored in a different way via a number of hiking trails. Starting from the perched hamlet of Les Escoyères, you can take a path that follows the old Roman road and enjoy a magnificent panorama of the steep-sided valley. Or get on your mountain bike and explore the Queyras and Guillestrois mountains: there are plenty of trails for mountain bikers, with routes to suit all abilities.

A via ferrata has been built beneath the ramparts of Fort-Queyras, overlooking the Guil on a route that is both aerial and accessible to all.

The Guil and the Queyras in winter

Renowned for its abundant snow cover, the Queyras is covered in a thick blanket of white every winter. You can enjoy downhill skiing in the village resorts of Queyras, with a single ski pass that gives you access to the ski areas of Abriès, Arvieux, Ceillac and Molines Saint-Véran. There are also three fun areas for families, at Aiguilles, Ceillac and Ristolas.

Several hundred kilometres of Nordic and cross-country ski runs also await powder lovers. The slopes covered in immaculate snow can also be explored on cross-country skis or snowshoes. You can also try your hand at other activities, such as dog-sled rides.

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Practical information

You can easily discover the Gorges of the Guil by taking the N94 national road between Gap and Briançon, leaving it at Guillestre and following the road sign “Le Queyras”.

You can plan a stopover at the stronghold of Montdauphin before getting stuck into the gorges. You can also discover the Plan de Phasy hot springs, just outside Guillestre.