» Tourist guide

The Villages of Serre Chevalier Briancon - a typical French town whose 'old town', perched on a hill surrounded by old walls and seen from all parts, now makes for an amazing walk through tiny cobbled lanes and ancient buildings. Many little shops sell local souvenirs and you can taste traditional food in the many cafés and restaurants. The locals call Briancon 'Le Ville d'Art et d'Histoire' - the town of art and history. The main tourist office for Serre Chevalier is in Briancon and offers details of guided tours and all the activities available in the town - on top of the skiing of course! At Briancon you can skate at the Olympic Ice Rink, swim in the newly opened pool with relaxing sauna and Jacuzzi facilities. Six outdoor tennis courts are situated just a ten minute walk from the town centre, with three indoor courts, mini-tennis and a club house. You can, of course, have tennis lessons if you like. Serre Chevalier's main library is located in Briancon at 63, Grande Rue but each of the four main villages, very well facilitated, has a library of its own. If you enjoy visits to the cinema, you'll find two of them in Briancon - Cinéma Vauban and Cinéma Eden Studio plus there's a video shop too should you be up for a night in! There is just so much on offer in Briancon … try bowling, the theatre, the night club Le Drums and aerial sports with the local company Surf'Air! Chantemerle - coupled with the quaint and very traditional Saint Chaffrey, Chantemerle offers great access to the whole Serre Chevalier ski region as it lies central between Briancon and Villeneuve. Chantemerle is a typical ski resort village with its main square, sports shops, supermarkets, bars and extensive parking. An assortment of apartments, hotels, chalets and small residences are dotted all over the village. The Bar Yeti offers an excellent après-ski atmosphere along with the Kitzbühel and the new eXtreme bar. For real adrenalin, why not try snow scooters with Chantemerle's Sun Scoot and aerial sports with Surf'Air and Les Aigles du Brianconnais, For those after something other than skiing, make use of Chantemerle's range of activities and services: the ice-rink, fitness centre 'L'Altiforme', the library, cabaret at the local L'Escapade Karaoké, the Cinéma Le Serre d'Aigle and the local nightclub La Dune. Villeneuve - the purpose built ski village of Villeneuve offers, once again, great central access to the ski area of Serre Chevalier. It also has the traditional cobbled streets so well-liked by visitors that give it a real French ski resort feel. Well serviced with shops, bars and apartment blocks, Villeneuve has much to offer. Driving on ice at the Circuit de glace and skating on ice are just two well-loved winter pursuits! You can also go horse riding, swimming at Piscine couverte des Iscles, use the fitness suite and thalasso-therapy at Espace Thalasse Forme, snow scooting and parapenting. For those after the night-life, try the Baita disco and jazz club or perhaps a little Bridge at the Bridge Club every Tuesday in the Centre Olympique de Serre Chevalier? Le Monetier Les Bains - famous for its hot steam baths, Monetier is a small, very rural village which has extended to offer skiing access into the Serre Chevalier ski area. Expect old stone buildings, twisting streets and open views of the local countryside in Monetier. You can ski behind horse or pony with the Ranch du Grand Aigle from the Pré Chabert lift area or choose to visit the natural ice rink in the village. The L'Etablissement "Les Bains" offers a warm swimming pool with views of the Monetier glacier plus hydro-massage cabins for the ultimate in relaxation. The village library is open Monday to Friday, plus the cinema L. et A. Lumiere has two screens if you fancy catching the latest film to arrive in the valley. All in all, a beautiful village which should give you a wonderful stay on your skiing holiday.