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L'Argentiere-la-Bessee

Visit L'Argentiere-la-Bessee (Provence, France)

The village of Argentiere - and the associated silver mines of L'Argentiere-la-Bessee - are located in the Fournal Valley surrounded by mountains to the south-west of Briancon.

Note: there is also a town called Argentiere near Chamonix, so pay attention if you use a GPS to get here!

Exploring L'Argentière-la-Bessée

Silver mines

During the second half of the 19th century, the town was a very busy centre, due to the silver mines found here. The silver mining started with the Romans and continued until the start of the 20th century, with a brief resurgence due to aluminium mining. By 1910 all mining activity had stopped.

It is only in recent years that the mines have been reopened, this time as a tourist attraction, and you can now visit the mines and also see the tools and methods used for the silver mining in the associated museum, a popular and interesting tour that takes about two hours.

Other

In the town itself you can see the 16th century Church of Saint-Apollinaire on the banks of the Durance river, especially known for the 16th century frescoes on the walls. The other main religious monument here is the 12th century Chapel Saint-Jean, in an attractive hillside setting and built on the site of a much older church.

There are also a sprinkling of traditional old buildings and farmhouses around the village.

Activities in the region

During the winter Argentiere is better known as a ski resort, and all year around it acts as a gateway to the Ecrins National Park with many opportunities for hiking, canoeing, rock-climbing and outdoor sports in the mountains.

Photos taken within 10 km

Tourist classifications for L'Argentiere-la-Bessee

L'Argentiere-la-Bessee is classified as a recommended detour town (plus beau detour)

Address: L'Argentiere-la-Bessee, Hautes-Alpes, Provence || GPS: latitude 44.7953, longitude 6.56

Map of L'Argentiere-la-Bessee & places nearby



 

Highlights close by

More suggestions: Nevache 25km; Embrun 26km; Valgaudemar Valley 29km; La Grave 34km; Lake Serre-Poncon 35km; Deux-Alpes 42km; Gap 46km;

See lots more places to visit nearby and a more detailed map at places near L'Argentiere-la-Bessee.
See Provence and Hautes-Alpes (the region and department for L'Argentiere-la-Bessee) for more travel ideas...

Suggested tourist attractions to visit near L'Argentiere-la-Bessee, France

• Briancon - secteur sauvegarde (13km)
• Briancon fortifications (Vauban fortifications) - heritage site (14km)
• Mont-Dauphin place forte (Vauban fortifications) - heritage site (15km)
• Place Forte de Mont-Dauphin - national monument (15km)
• Vallee de la Claree - grand site of france (21km)
• Queyras - regional natural parc (24km)
• La Meije - site of natural beauty (31km)
• Jardin alpin du Lautaret - remarkable garden (33km)
• La Grave - most beautiful village (34km)
• Lac de Serre-Poncon - site of natural beauty (35km)

Market days in L'Argentiere-la-Bessee: Regular market(s) are held in L'Argentiere-la-Bessee each Friday. (Markets are held in the morning unless stated.)

The French version of this page is at L'Argentiere-la-Bessee (Francais)