Nevache travel guide

Visit Nevache (Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France)

Nevache is a small village and ski resort in the Clarée valley to the north-east of the Hautes-Alpes department of Provence, in the French alps. The village is at an altitude of 1600 metres, and close to the border with Italy.

Explore Nevache

Although visitors to Nevache are usually here to enjoy the skiing, the scenery or other mountain activities, the village also deserves to be explored.

An unspoiled traditional mountain village, the most important monument within the village of Névache is the 15th century Church of Saint-Marcellin. Note in particular the lower part of the belltower which was originally part of an earlier castle that stood in the same location, and the decorative carved entranceway.

There are several small restaurants in the village ideal for replenishing your energy after a day in the mountains.

The Vallée de la Clarée and the surrounding region

The Vallée de la Clarée has some stunning mountain scenery and for this reason is one of the 33 'Grand Sites de France'. The valley begins very close to Briancon and passes Nevache after which the scenery becomes markedly more alpine. As well as Nevache there are a couple of other small villages to discover and a number of churches and chapels.

Val-des-Prés, tiny as it is, became famous in the 1970s as the home of Emilie Carles who wrote the best-selling book 'Une soupe aux herbes sauvage'. Plampinet, a little further along the road, has a small church and a little chapel with some wonderful frescoes dating from the 15th and 16th century.

The chapel of Notre Dame in particular should not be missed for its frescoes of the seven deadly sins. The chalets de Laval are at the end of the road and from here you need to walk if you would like to explore further.

There are several very picturesque mountain lakes such as the Cristol Lake to discover in the mountains around Nevache, and in the Clarée Valley and Etroite Valley. There are too many scenic highlights in this lovely (even if a bit isolated) mountain region to mention here, but rest assured if you are seeking an authentic mountain experience in France this is a good place to bring your walking boots!

Clarée Valley: the river Clarée passes through a dramatic landscape of mountains, forests and picturesque lakes, in a region that is now a protected environment. The valley is often snowbound and access is dificult outside summer months. During the summer you can walk to the Lac de la Clarée and the Lac des Cerces.

Etroite Valley: another stunning valley near Nevache, the Etroite valley ('narrow valley') is on the border between France and Italy towards the east of the village.

If you are here in the winter you will want to visit the large Serre Chevalier skiing region

You can find more travel ideas in the Hautes-Alpes guide and the Provence guide.