Gap (Hautes Alpes (05))

The busy town of Gap, on the River Luye in the north of Provence, is an important traffic junction on the Route Napoléon. Gap has a charming situation, with a backdrop of the Alps to the north of the town. Its pleasant climate has led to its becoming a popular health resort and it has a good reputation as a base for winter sports.

Originally founded by the Gauls, the Roman emperor Augustus seized the town in 14 BC and renamed it Vapincum. Gap was annexed by the French crown in 1512. In the 1558 the Lombards sacked the town. In 1650 plague removed two-thirds of the population, and in 1692 Savoy troops burned down almost all the houses. In March 1815 Napoleon arrived on his way back from Elba and passed through Gap on his march to Paris.

Gap is not full of museums, galleries or fancy shops, however it is one of the sunniest places in France and is sandwiched between some wonderfully contrasting countryside. Many interesting places are to be found just outside the town in these surrounding regions. The Domaine de Charance is a country park with meadows, forest paths and a lake that overlooks Gap – it houses the National Botanical Conservatory, which has an impressive collection of rare plants (1500 varieties of rose, 550 varieties of apple tree & 800 varieties of pear tree!) it is well worth visiting.

Walks in the mountains are also popular, with Les balcons du Gapençais (Balconies of Gap) being a favourite. It is a 45km circuit around Gap - designed for hikers and mountain bikers.

There are two markets a week, which are a great way to mix with the locals and the Musée Départemental on Avenue Maréchal Foch has some interesting archaeological collections from the bronze and iron ages on display.

About the location

Gap is in the Hautes-Alpes department in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur in South of France.

Public transport available

By Road

From Calais all the way on the motorway via Reims, Dijon, Bourg-en-Bresse and Lyon to Grenoble. Then the A51 and N75 to Aspres-sur-Beuch and the D994 east to Gap.

By Train

The Hautes-Alpes are easily reached by train from either the south (Marseille), the north (Grenoble) or the west (Valence). Valence and Grenoble have high-speed train connections with Paris. There are up to four train connections daily in all directions.

By Air

There are no international airports in the Hautes-Alpes, the nearest is Grenoble 107km away or Marseille 182km away.

Tourist information website

http://www.gap-tourisme.fr

Tourist information contact email

info@gap-tourisme.fr

Tourist information switch board number

+ 33 (0)4 92 52 56 56

Tourist information address

2a, Cours Frédéric Mistral, 05002, Gap, France

Local places of interest

L'Abbaye de Boscodon (30.96 km)

The Abbey of Boscodon was founded in 1132. It is a remarkable monument of the XII° century and is located within a very beautiful framework of mountain. read more...

Les Ecrins National Park (37.28 km)

Les Ecrins is the largest of France’s national parks and contains some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in the whole Alpine range. read more...

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