| 
In
the snow
The guest house is just a 20-minute
drive from the Forêt Blanche ski
area linking Vars
and Risoul,
which has a total of 180 kilometers of slopes, 57 lifts,
a legendary speed run, and various 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 truly breathtaking pristine
natural environment.
|
|
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.
|
On land
The area around the guest house between Queyras
and Ecrins
is loaded with hiking trails
differing from medium to high altitudes. Enjoy the wildlife
and flora in this beautiful area. 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 practice
windsurfing, kite surfing, boating, kayaking, or just swim
in the crystal blue water.
Passionate about fishing? You’ll have
a whole lot 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,
a Unesco World Heritage Site 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, has 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. It’s
privileged location above lake Serre-Ponçon is truly
unique.
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.
|
