Map of Hautes-Alpes

The Hautes-Alpes department is identified by the number 05 and belongs to the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region in southeastern France. It was officially created on 4 March 1790, at the beginning of the French Revolution. Its inhabitants, known as the Hauts-Alpins, number around 143,500. Covering an area of 5,548 km², the department has a population density of approximately 25.9 inhabitants per km².

When we talk about the climate, since it is a department nestled in the mountains, the climate over the entire area is mountainous type characterized by a cold and harsh winter and a hot and scorching summer.

There are therefore significant temperature variations during the transitional seasons. Furthermore, the northern part of the department is characterized by an Alpine climate with sunshine of less than 2000 hours per year.

Besides this northern part, the other parts of the department also have slightly higher sunshine ranging between 2300 and 2500 hours. This shows that for the high altitude parts of the Alps, winters are longer and harsher. But the average temperature of the entire department is around 10.9 °C.

What are the best cities to visit in Hautes-Alpes?

Briançon

It is actually a town located on a mountain peak at 1350 meters. It is close to the French border with Italy. This town is full of valleys through the mountains and there are also fortifications that dominate Briançon which served as fortifications dating from the 17th and 18th centuries.

Moreover, Briançon is classified as a French historic town and also as a city of art and history in France, because many parts of this town have not changed an inch since the 18th century. During your visit, don’t forget to see the chapels, the fountains including the Fountain of Sighs and the Grande Rue.

Embrun

This town is recognized as a countryside town, because although its center is developed, it has kept its historic parts and therefore, visitors will enjoy discovering the memories of the center. As in the old town, there is the Barthelon square, where you can find cafes, restaurants, and beautiful narrow streets.

This part of France is a commercial area every Wednesday and Saturday, where you can buy many local products. And the historic infrastructures are the Notre Dame de Réal Cathedral and also the Lombardy Cathedral which is very impressive with its decorated facades, and two lions supporting the porch pillars and many other sculptures.

What are the neighboring departments of the Hautes-Alpes department?

When we talk about the neighbors of the Hautes-Alpes department, there are 5 departments: Isère, the Alpes de Haute-Provence department, the Savoie department, the Drôme department, and finally, the Provence department.

What are the main towns of the Hautes-Alpes department?

The most important towns in terms of population density in department number 05 of France, namely Hautes-Alpes, are:

• Villar-Saint-Pancrace,
• Savines-le-Lac,
• La Roche-des-Arnauds,
• La Bâtie-Neuve,
• Tallard,
• Serres,
• Gap,
• Veynes, Chorges,
• Embrun,
• Briançon,
• Guillestre,
• L’Argentière-la-Bessée,
• Saint-Martin-de-Queyrières.
• Saint-Chaffrey,
• Saint-Bonnet-en-Champsaur,
• Laragne-Montéglin,
• La Saulce,

What are the 10 largest municipalities in Hautes-Alpes?

In terms of area and population, here are the 10 most important municipalities in the Hautes-Alpes department:

• Gap
• Abriès-Ristolas
• Aiguilles
• Ancelle
• L’Argentière-la-Bessée
• Arvieux
• Aspremont
• Aspres-lès-Corps
• Aspres-sur-Buëch
• Aubessagne