Chantemerle

Discover the resort of Chantemerle in the Hautes-Alpes

Chantemerle is the birthplace of Serre Chevalier. This village is part of the commune of Saint-Chaffrey, in the Hautes-Alpes.

It stretches along the River Guisane, at an altitude of 1,350 metres, a few kilometres from Briançon. You will often see it referred to by its resort name: Serre Chevalier 1350. The Ratier cable car departs from the village centre. It provides access to a ski area with 250 kilometres of slopes, at altitudes between 1,200 and 2,800 metres. In winter, you can put your skis on right outside your accommodation. In summer, these same slopes become a playground for mountain biking and hiking, on the edge of the Écrins National Park.

A village that has retained its traditional layout

Behind the ski slopes, the old village is organised around a main street and its ‘charrières’ – the narrow passageways typical of the Briançon region. The Place du Maït and the hamlet of L’Envers have preserved their stone buildings.

The façades feature sundials, a tradition widespread throughout the upper valley. The fountains, bread ovens and chapels bear witness to mountain life before the advent of skiing.

Saint-Chaffrey, the main village, can be explored in half an hour. A drawbridge there spans the torrent that flows into the Guisane. A shuttle bus takes you from Saint-Chaffrey to Chantemerle.

Iconic spots

The cable car and the summit of Serre Chevalier

Ratier’s red cable car is part of the resort’s visual identity. It takes you up to the summit of Serre Chevalier, where the view stretches across the Écrins and the Briançonnais. The cable car operates in winter for skiers and during the summer season for walkers and mountain bikers.

The Col du Granon

At 2,404 metres, it rises from Villard-Laté. The road is renowned as one of the most challenging in the French Alps, and the Tour de France has made its mark here on several occasions.

At the summit, the Fort du Granon serves as a reminder of the valley’s military history. The barracks could accommodate around sixty men.

The Parc des Colombiers

This wooded area, on the banks of the Guisane, features a pump track, tennis courts, children’s play equipment, a boules court and a restaurant. Its natural swimming area, filtered by plants, is very popular in summer.

Where to stay in Chantemerle

Chantemerle is home to the majority of the valley’s holiday accommodation. Here you’ll find ski-in/ski-out holiday apartments, chalets and several hotels with wellness facilities.

This is the best option if you’re looking for comfort rather than being right at the foot of the ski lifts at all costs. The spa hotels in the area are a great way to spend a day when there’s no snow, which is important on a week-long family holiday.

Christmas and February holidays need to be booked very early, often three to four months in advance. After that, the choice of the best places to stay quickly dwindles. You’ll find our top picks in Chantemerle further down this page.