RANDOLAND: L’Argentière-la-Bessée

Description

Follow in the footsteps of the miners and labourers of L'Argentière-la-Bessée! Roam the streets of L'Argentière-la-Bessée to discover the many faces of this town. Along the way, you will see how its mining and industrial past have co-existed. A question sheet is available to download, to assist you with your heritage discoveries. The trail starts at the chapel of Saint-Jean. Start by looking closely at the chapel, to answer the first riddle. - Take the Rue du Château which leads uphill behind the church, and carry on until you come to the museum. Go right and look closely at the garden with the vines. Go past the water fountain and carry on until you come to the bust of Gilbert Planche. Pass in front of the former seigneurial château (a media library today) and then between the boxwoods to go and look at the sundial on a tower in the park. Carry on along the same track, pass in front of the pigeon tower and go through the gateway. Carry straight on. - When you come to house numbers 4, 6 and 8 turn left and carry on until you reach the water fountain. - Continue left, go past the guest house ("Maison d'hôte") and then turn right onto the Chemin des Fouzes. Go past the bric-à-brac shop on the left and carry on until you come to the private burial chapel in the Rue du Serre Haut. Opposite the entrance to the chapel, continue right towards the Pic du Montbrison and the clock tower. - Take the second right and, further on, take the path leading off to the left, bringing you to the foot of the Tour des Hermes clock tower. Retrace your steps back to the road and turn left. - Turn right into the Chemin des Canaviers and then left again. Go past the cemetery and then turn right to the church. Retrace your steps and go down the Rue de la Croix which is edged with walnut trees. Continue straight ahead to go past the guest house again. At the house number 4,6 and 8, turn right and then continue left until you come to the Rue Saint-Jean. Turn left to return to the chapel car park.

Difficulty

Official rating: very easy, by Parc national des Écrins.

Before you go

• To download the Randoland clue sheets, visit the Office de Tourisme Intercommunal du Pays des Écrins website.
• Check weather conditions before setting off.
• Rescue services contact details: Secours Montagne (Mountain Rescue): +33 (0)4 92 22 22 22 or 112
• Show consideration for the work of farmers, livestock keepers and owners
• Close all gates behind you
• Take your litter home
• Do not take shortcuts across pastureland

Getting there

Start: Chapelle Saint-Jean, L’Argentière-la-Bessée, L'Argentière-la-Bessée (05).

Sources

• Track: Parc national des Écrins, Licence Ouverte 2.0, Licence Ouverte 2.0 (Etalab) (destination.ecrins-parcnational.fr/trek/962788-RANDOLAND-%3A-L-Argentiere-la-Bessee). Time estimated by GPX Path with the Mac app rule, breaks not included.
• Official elevation gain: 80 m, Parc national des Écrins