Allos

Take the A7 as far as Aix-en-Provence then the Aix Ouest exit. Take the A51 and exit at Peyruis/Les Mées, Digne-les-Bains. Take the N85 as far as Barrême then the N202 as far as Saint-André-les-Alpes then the D955 as far as Colmars and finally the D908 to Val d'Allos.

Discover the village of Allos in the Alpes de Haute Provence

Allos is a village in Haute Provence with typical mountain charm, situated at an altitude of 1,400m in the east of the department in the Haut Verdon and Val d'Allos valleys, on the edge of the Mercantour park.

Val d'Allos, a marvel of the Southern Alps

Dominated by Mont Pelat, Grande Séolane and the Trois Evêchés massif, the Val d'Allos is one of the most popular spots in the Southern Alps. The Val d'Allos includes the village of Allos and the two ski resorts of Le Seignus at 1500 m altitude and La Foux at 1800 m.

A superb high-altitude lake

Allos is fortunate to have Europe's largest natural high-altitude lake on its territory (at 2230 m), enabling it to offer a wide range of summer and winter activities in the midst of magnificent scenery: here, nature is preserved and the sun is (almost) always shining.

The Foux d'Allos ski resort

Created in 1989, Val d'Allos is one of the largest ski areas in the Southern Alps, with 165 km of pistes.
- The resort of La Foux d'Allos was founded in 1937. Its all-wooden architecture gives it a lot of character, but its main asset is above all its immense ski area: La Foux offers the advantage of presenting a succession of slopes on five sunny sides.

An ski resort linked to the Pra-Loup resort

Its ski area is linked, snow permitting, to that of Pra-Loup, thus forming the Espace Lumière, a ski area with a total length of 230 km of pistes for the pleasure of both sporty and experienced skiers.

From 1600 to 2600 m, the scenery here is magnificent, and you're right on the edge of the Mercantour National Park.

From the summit of Vescal or Pouret, the view is breathtaking over the cirque of the Verdon springs and the Haute Vallée du Verdon.

It's here that the famous Verdon rises at the foot of the no less famous Col d'Allos (which still bears the scars of the Tour de France cyclists). Please note: it's closed from November to May. La Foux d'Allos is 9 km north of Allos and 7 km south of the Col d'Allos.

The Seignus resort

- The Seignus resort was created in 1936, 7km downstream from La Foux. It's a village resort appreciated by skiers and non-skiers alike: there are plenty of walks to be enjoyed, a cable car links you to the village of Allos, cross-country skiing in the forest, snowshoeing on marked trails, a kindergarten with a site reserved for learning... it's the family resort par excellence, offering real skiing opportunities for all in a preserved environment (50 km of downhill ski runs, 1000 m vertical drop).

Summer hiking in the Massif du Pelat and Mercantour

In summer, you'll be spoilt for choice when it comes to planning your program. Children's paradise, a leisure park set in exceptional greenery, offers a multitude of activities and facilities: games, pedal boats, canoes, archery, climbing, trampoline, mini-golf, golf practice, giant chessboard, tennis, ... plus a 15,000 m² lake with waterslide for swimming and fun... for young and old!
There are over 1000 km of marked trails in the Val d'Allos. Whether you're a good walker or just a bit slow, you'll find a trail to suit your level and discover the magnificent landscapes and natural surroundings of Allos, with unique views of the Pelat massif and the Mercantour National Park.

Lac d'Allos and Col d'Allos

The hike to Lac d'Allos is a beautiful walk: follow the D226 from Allos for 13 km, and park at the parking lot at the end of the road. Allow around 1 hr for a leisurely stroll to the lake, along a trail that explores the landscape and flora. Once at the lake, you won't be disappointed by the grandiose spectacle of this azure-blue body of water set in a cirque of bare peaks, covered at their feet by a green carpet of flowers, larches and firs.

Good walkers (with good shoes) can continue the hike to Mont Pelat (3050m) to enjoy the breathtaking panorama from the summit, and then continue the loop to the Col de la Petite Cayolle and the Pas du Lausson (approx. 6 h walk with a 620m ascent).

Our map of Allos village

To find your way around the pretty commune of Allos, you can use our interactive map of the town. You'll find all the village's points of interest (town hall, church, ski lifts, ski resorts) and our accommodation recommendations. So you can locate them before you book your vacation in Allos.

What to see

Notre Dame de Valvert churchdating from the 13th century in Romanesque style (concerts in summer).
Allos natural lake (600,000 m²).

Leisure activities

Hiking, cycling excursions, mountain biking and horse riding
(1,000 km of waymarked trails in the Val d'Allos).
Paragliding, archery, fishing (no permit required) and white water fishing.
Electric 4x4s, quads circuit, tennis, basketball.
Downhill mountain biking with ski lifts (Seignus).
Leisure park. Summer events. Disco.

Winter :
Downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, kindergarten with children's activities, child-minding, initiation centre.
Toboggan area, ski excursion itinerary, snowshoeing itineraries, paragliding.
Driving on ice, ice rink.
Events. Disco.

Accomodations

Hotels.
Bed and breakfasts.
Holiday rentals.
Country gites.

Your questions about Allos and its lake

After writing this guide, you sent us several questions about the commune of Allos. Here are our answers to help all our readers who may have the same questions about this high-altitude village in the Alpes de Haute Provence department.

Where to stay in Allos?

Above you'll find our recommendations forhotels and vacation rentals at the foot of the slopes in Allos. We update our selection every year to offer you the best possible accommodation.
Where to eat in Allos?
La Foux d'Allos has a number of delightful high-altitude restaurants. Our favorite is “Chez Natacha et Gaël” for its mountain dishes, varied menu and pleasant setting.

How do I get to Lac d'Allos?

There are several options for getting to Lac d'Allos, depending on your preferences and the time of year. If you choose to set off on foot from the village of Allos, take the GR56B trail, marked in red and white. This route takes around 7 hours round trip.
If you prefer a shorter walk, you can park at the La Cluite parking lot, accessible by car, and walk for around 5 hours round trip. For an even quicker journey, the Laus parking lot is the nearest option at just 1.5 hours round-trip, but be sure to check availability and any access restrictions.
In winter, access to the lake is possible by snowshoe or ski touring from the Chaup parking lot, with a 6.5 km route.

Is Lake Allos open?

Lac d'Allos is currently accessible, but only under certain conditions. Located at an altitude of 2,228 meters, it is open to visitors until mid-October, subject to weather conditions. Access to the Laus parking lot, the closest to the lake, is regulated and subject to a charge during the high season, with reservations recommended to guarantee a space.
To make the most of your visit, check weather conditions and access restrictions before setting off. Hikes around the lake offer spectacular views, but require good preparation. In winter, access becomes more difficult and is usually by snowshoe or ski touring. For nature lovers, the site is a real treasure to be discovered, whether for a day hike or to explore the surrounding trails.

What's the altitude of Lac d'Allos?

Lac d'Allos, at an altitude of 2,230 meters, is Europe's largest natural high-altitude lake. Nestled in the Mercantour National Park, it covers an impressive 54 hectares. The Col d'Allos lies a few meters above, at 2,250 meters. Mont Pelat rises to an altitude of 3,052 metres.