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Gap town

Place Saint-Arnoux, Gap, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur

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.

Meta review

The Domaine de Charance gets complimentary reviews with visitors noting that whilst it is a very pleasant place for a walk or run, the terraced gardens are quite small and there isn't really anything extraordinary to see. The tone is similar for the Departmental Museum with its interesting regional artefacts and permanent exhibition on life in mountain villages in the past. It is worth visiting if you have some extra time and are already in town.

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

Included Items
None
Timing
Duration of visit
Domaine de Charance is closed from Nov to March

av. transport time:1h 30m

est. visit time:4h 30m

Sunlight based

Sunrise / early morningNo

MorningOk

Lunch timeOk

AfternoonOk

Sunset / eveningOk

Night – bef. midnightNo

Night – aft. midnightNo

Pricing
Free

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