Gap town
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Gap - by Marvin Kuhn on Unsplash
Description
Gap is the prefecture of the Hautes-Alpes department, in South Eastern France. The town was founded as a station on the route linking Turin and Sisteron between 14BC and 06BC with fortifications built in the 3rd/4th centuries AD. From the 11th to 12th century, it was part of the County of Provence but was transferred to the Dauphiné in 1209 alongside the Embrun area (swapped with Forcalquier + Sisteron) which eventually became part of the Kingdom of France in 1457. Highlights include the Hautes-Alpes Departmental Museum (free access, it includes archaeological, fine arts, ceramics and natural history collections), the Domaine de Charance (free access) that dominates the town with its chateaux and 220ha park, the Notre-Dame-et-Saint-Arnoux cathedral, the Tour de l'Horloge (Clock tower), and the Hotel de Ville (townhall).
Access & Transport
Gap is on the Marseille to Briançon train line and the station is located a 5mins walk from the centre of town. There are also services to Grenoble and onward towards Lyon. By car, it is a 105km drive from Grenoble, 50km from Sisteron, 200km from Lyon and 180km from Marseille.
Instructions & Recommendations
We strongly recommend a visit to the Domaine de Charance, a 5mins drive out of town, but note that parts of the domain are closed from Nov. until some time in April. Bus 73 goes there and is free.
Environmental & Social
The main activities in the town have a low carbon footprint. Tourism is a welcome injection of activity and revenues in the local economy.
Conclusion
Gap is a pleasant town that lacks any major tourist highlight (there is enough to occupy half or a full day for first time visitors) but can be used as a launchpad to discover other regional highlights and activities such as cycling, hiking, skiing, etc.
Key positive
Good base to visit other regional highlights
Not very touristy
Key negative
No spectacular highlight
Suitability
No restrictions
About this Rating
TYPE
Desktop
RESEARCHED IN
June 2024
PROVIDER
Koreval
av. transport time:1h 30m
est. visit time:4h 30m
Sunrise / early morningNo
MorningOk
Lunch timeOk
AfternoonOk
Sunset / eveningOk
Night – bef. midnightNo
Night – aft. midnightNo