Domaine de Charance

Set against the Charance mountain above Gap, this 220-hectare estate rises from 1,000 to more than 1,800 metres. A castle stood here as early as the 10th century; bought by the bishop of Gap in 1307, it remained an episcopal residence until the Revolution and was destroyed and rebuilt several times, before taking on the appearance of the present château in the 18th century.

Owned by the town, the estate is open to the public. Its terraced garden, awarded the 'jardin remarquable' label, holds a collection of old roses and fruit varieties, while the park has several ponds and water features. The château houses the headquarters of the Écrins National Park and the National Alpine Botanical Conservatory. Paths then climb through the forest towards the summit of Charance.

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