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It is on the northern shores of the Serre-Ponçon Lake that the commune of Chorges is located. Blue pearl of the Hautes-Alpes department nestled between Gap and Embrun, Chorges shelters some of the most beautiful beaches and coves of the Southern Alps. A real jewel where budding climbers and holidaymakers in search of idleness mingle joyfully, Chorges has a historic centre full of charm and many assets for a sporting holiday in the heart of a green setting conducive to escape.

Surrounded by the high mountains of the Ecrins National Park, Chorges, perched at an altitude of 835 metres in the valley of the Avance River, offers its visitors exceptional panoramas of the superb Serre-Ponçon Lake, one of the largest artificial lakes in Europe. Organized around its Romanesque bell tower, Chorges is an ancient medieval fortified city, whose alleys, gates and fountains are the current witnesses. From cobbled streets to picturesque squares, you will certainly discover the beautiful Saint-Victor church and the 16th century fountain made of pink marble : the latter is one of the most beautiful monuments in the city. Located in Place Lesdiguières, its stones come from the old Salados quarry, located under the needles of Chabrières.

As for sporting activities, Chorges and the Serre-Ponçon Lake are a delight for young and old alike. First of all, aerial activities are in the spotlight : you can hang gliding, parachute jumping, paragliding, ULM, bungee jumping, but also hot air ballooning, airplane or helicopter flights over the lake, the gorges of Ubaye, the bays of Chanteloube and Saint Michel, the summits of Réallonnais, Embrunais and Savinoise. Those who would prefer activities on land will surely love hiking or mountain biking itineraries along the mountain ranges, but also scooter or electric skateboard rides, climbing, via ferrata and accrobranche, and many other activities offered in most of the resorts surrounding the Serre-Ponçon Lake. The peaks of Piolit and Chabrières classified Nature 2000 area are crossed by multiple hiking trails, for beautiful encounters with the flora and fauna of the surroundings. In winter, when the mountains are dressed in their thick white coats, skiers and other snow sports enthusiasts head to the three resorts surrounding Chorges : Réallon, Crévoux and Les Orres have Nordic and Alpine ski areas, where you can cross-country ski, downhill ski, toboggan, snowboard and snowshoe, among other things.

Finally, there is also plenty to do on the water : rafting, hydrospeed, airboat and water skiing, fun with towed buoys, fishing, paddle, sailing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, wakeboarding, funboarding, kayaking, rowing and even walking on water in huge airtight bubbles. You can also rent a boat for an afternoon, a day or more, to discover the beauty of the shores of this absolutely magnificent turquoise lake whose water sparkles at sunrise and sunset. As for idleness, the lake has nearly 80 kilometres of shoreline where you can laze under the sun while enjoying children's playgrounds and swimming areas, in water at 23° the ideal temperature for a few well-deserved dives !

More information about the region :

Lac de Serre Ponçon

Alpes

Provence