Hautes-Alpes Department
The département is surrounded by the following French départements: Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, Drôme, Isère, and Savoie. Italy borders it on the east.
Hautes-Alpes is located in the Alps mountain range. The average elevations is over 1000 m, and the highest elevation is over 4000 m. The only three real towns are Gap, Briançon, and Embrun, which was the subprefecture until 1926.
The highest commune in all of Europe is the village of Saint-Véran. Gap and Briançon are the highest prefecture and subprefecture in France.
The Durance has been dammed to create the largest artificial lake in Europe: the Lac de Serre-Ponçon.
The Queyras valley is located in the eastern part of the département and is noted by ma
Attractions in Hautes-Alpes
The tourist industry is largely dependent on skiing in winter. In summer the Alpine scenery and many outdoor activities attract visitors (sailing, aerial sports such as gliding, rambling and climbing).