What to do in Embrun in two days?

Written by Sophie Renassia

Published on October 17, 2024, modified on January 20, 2025

You want to discover the Southern Alps and have decided to spend a weekend in Embrun? We understand! With its sunny climate, its art of living and the picturesque charm of its old town center, there's a good chance you'll fall in love with the “Nice of the Alps”, ranked 5th among “dream towns” in the national rankings (yes, that's right).

Whether you're a fan of history and heritage or an adventurer at heart, here's our selection of things to do in Embrun over the weekend. Follow the guide!

Cultural visits

Discover the town center

Perched on the Roc d'Embrun, at an altitude of 870 meters, the town center overlooks the Durance valley and offers a magnificent panoramic view of the surrounding area, including the Serre-Ponçon lake at its foot! Ideal for a family outing.

And if you like colorful, friendly towns, you're in for a treat. As you stroll around, you'll discover the charm of its medieval and Provencal architecture, its pretty squares and its green spaces (such as the garden and belvedere of the archbishop's palace).

Visit Notre-Dame du Réal Cathedral

The town of Embrun is as beautiful as it is steeped in history (proof is its “Ville et Pays d'Art et d'Histoire” label!).

If you like to discover the local heritage, you can visit the Cathédrale Notre-Dame du Réal, one of the most important religious monuments in the French Alps. Listed as a “historic monument” since 1840, the Cathedral was the seat of an important archbishopric until the French Revolution!

Visits are free all year round and every day, but if you'd like to discover the cathedral's treasures, remember to book a guided tour (information available from the Serre-Ponçon Intercommunal Tourist Office).

Visit Boscodon Abbey

Just an hour from town by bike (or 15 minutes by car), in the Boscodon forest near Lac de Serre-Ponçon, you can discover another listed building: the Abbaye de Boscodon. Considered a masterpiece of Romanesque art, it is the only abbey in the Hautes-Alpes department.

Open all year round, with opening times varying according to the season, visits are free of charge, except for the cloister, the chapter house and the interactive museum area (on the art of medieval builders), to which admission is charged.

The abbey is also the starting point for hikes in the Boscodon forest. The perfect opportunity to combine culture and nature in half a day!

Outdoor activities

Water sports

If you like water sports, the Club Nautique Alpin (CNA) Serre Ponçon, between the Embrun lake and the Serre Ponçon lake, is THE place to go sailing. Whether you're a novice or an experienced sailor, you'll be able to take advantage of introductory or advanced sailing or catamaran courses (check the school's opening months on the CNA website).

Hiking in the heights

If the weather's on your side, there's nothing like a hike to discover the landscapes of the Southern Alps: you can discover the Roc d'Embrun, its ramparts and gardens (a very accessible 1h35 family hike), or climb Mont Guillaume and its crests if you like a challenge (6h10 hike). Don't hesitate to visit the Alpes Rando website to discover all the hikes available in Embrun, according to level of difficulty.

And for the more sporty

Bike park at Les Orres

If you like downhill mountain biking, the Bike Park at Les Orres is the ideal playground. Stretching from 1600m to 2600m altitude, it offers 13 downhill trails for all levels (from green to black).

Mountain biking

And why not combine business with pleasure by exploring the Southern Alps on a mountain bike?

Here again, whatever your level, you'll be able to find a suitable itinerary (from a 2-hour ride to a 4.5-hour loop!). Once again, visit the Alpes Rando website to discover the most beautiful mountain bike trails around Embrun.

Climbing and Via ferrata

If you're a climber at heart, you can visit Embrun's indoor bouldering gym on weekdays (open Monday to Friday) or, less than an hour from Embrun, the Via Ferrata de La Cascade in Les Orres (itinerary: 3 to 4 hours, depending on your level). The result: sumptuous scenery and a thrilling afternoon!

To discover the best vegetarian restaurants in Embrun, click here. And for responsible accommodation, click here. And to discover all our itineraries to Embrun, click here!