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In
the snow
The guest house is just a 20-minute
drive from the Forêt Blanche ski
area linking Vars
and Risoul,
with a total of 180 kilometers of slopes, 57 lifts,
a legendary speed run, and freeriding spots.
For cross-country
skiers and snowshoers, the Vars pass
and the Queyras
regional nature park abound with trails that are great
for long circuits through a breathtakingly pristine
natural environment.
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La Maison du Guil is the perfect
home base for your favorite outdoor winter activities.
With spacious, comfortable rooms and the relaxed, friendly
feel of a family home, the guest house offers amenities
such as a wood-burning fireplace, sauna, and delicious
meals.
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On land
The area around the guest house between Queyras
and Ecrins
is teeming with hiking trails
at medium to high altitudes. A trail that links up with the
“Tour du Queyras” GR trail (France’s national
trail system) passes right by the house. For more information,
visit the Guillestrois
Tourism Board website.
Cyclists can choose from the many mountain-biking
circuits and mountain roads made famous by
the Tour de France (such as the Izoard, Vars, Galibier, and
Agnel passes, just to name a few).
On water
Local river guides Karim, Michel, and Olivier
will be glad to take you out rafting
or kayaking
on the Guil or the Durance.
Or discover the banks of Lake
Serre-Ponçon, where you can windsurf,
boat, and even swim in the crystal blue water.
Fishing enthusiasts
have a whole host of options, such as the white waters of
the Guil and the Durance, peaceful mountain lakes, and the
deep waters of Lake Serre-Ponçon.
On the air
Saint-Crépin airfield,
just 10 minutes from the guest house, is a great place for
your first plane or glider experience.
For children of all ages, there are a number of nearby adventure
courses with rope traverses and bridges strung
between the pines.
Rock-climbing
and via ferrata
sites also abound, with something for everyone from beginners
to advanced climbers.
For the eyes and the spirit
The fortified city of Montdauphin
— in the running for Unesco World Heritage Site status
— is just a short walk away. The town’s architecture
— designed by Vauban in the late 17th century and executed
in local rose-colored stone — is particularly harmonious.
The site offers guided tours, horse shows in the summer, and
a variety of exhibits.
The old town of Embrun,
a 20-minute drive away, also presents a fine architectural
heritage. Don’t miss Notre Dame du Réal, a cathedral
built in the 12th and 13th centuries; the Archbishop’s
Palace with its Tour Brune; as well as the historic center’s
houses, sundials, and fountains.
If you go just a bit further, overlooking
Lake Serre-Ponçon you will discover the wonderful Abbaye
de Boscodon, a 12th century structure whose
architecture is reminiscent of primitive Cistercian art.
And, if you are in the area in July or August,
don’t miss the Guil
– Durance international music festival, featuring
classical music concerts in the area’s churches.
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