La Grave is an unspoilt mountaineering village; it has a rustic feel and a delightful ambiance. With its small stone-built buildings set into the hillside in a cascading terrace linked with numerous narrow streets, it is as pretty as a picture postcard and makes no concessions to modern tourism. There is no shopping centre, just a few traditional shops, and restaurants offering excellent value.

Set on a steep hillside facing the glistening glaciers of the Meije, the Plateau d'Emparis is the perfect site for hiking where you can discover an exceptional variety of flora. There are many opportunities for sporting activities such as mountaineering, via ferrata, canyoning, paragliding, mountain biking and rafting. The more leisurely pursuits of fishing, mini golf and tennis are also available. For water sports the Lac du Chambon 15km from La Grave provides Windsurfing, canoes, and pedaloes.

Bordering the superb Parc National des Ecrins, and at the foot of the magnificent ‘La Meije’ mountain (3983m), La Grave is easily accessed from Grenoble (77km) by main trunk road. It is just after Les Deux Alpes on the way to Briançon.

Places of interest in La Grave

·          The Lautaret Alpine Garden: One of the most beautiful landscaped gardens in Europe. This enchanting garden is situated in a magnificent setting overlooking the Meije. Discover the dazzling beauty and infinite diversity of flowers from the Alps and other mountain regions of the world…

·          Grotte de Glace: A grotto has been dug and sculpted out of the ice, where you can learn about the amazing world of glaciers from the interior and observe deep, natural crevasses 30 metres below the surface, together with a world of ice-sculptures, created by a team of artists. Take the Meiji cable car from La Grave. Open all summer: - 3, 5€ per person; 2, 5€ for children and groups.

·          The Glaciers de la Meije cable car: Passes over all the different Alpine stages as it travels from 1450 metres right up to a height of 3200 metres. Enjoy hiking, climbing, paragliding, walking; visit the ice grotto or a crevasse; or just take in the view - the Meije and her wonderful glaciers, Mont Blanc, the summits of the Oisans and the Ecrins.