The magnificent Lake Chambon turquoise waters marks the entrance to the Valley Ferrand. This typical valley has preserved its authentic character with its three traditional villages: Besse (where you will find the tourist office), Clavans-en-Haut-Oisans and Mizoen.
Discover naturally preserved places, a dream destination full of emotions and discoveries.
The magnificent Lake Chambon turquoise water marks the entrance to the Valley Ferrand. This typical valley has preserved its authentic character with its three traditional villages: Besse (where you will find the tourist office), Clavans-en-Haut-Oisans and Mizoen.
This is mostly a paradise for nature and mountain lovers where you can do all kinds of activities.

The tourist office offers the E-Bike service that allows you to charge your electric bike for free (do not forget to take your charger.) A charging station is also available in order to charge your bike. The charger and charging cables are lent by the Tourist Office, you can get them once there when the office is open (or in the town hall before and after summer.)
Handled by the Syndicat Intercommunal de la vallée du Ferrand (SIEPAF.) Before and after summer the SIEPAF will answer your calls.

A charging station for electric bikes is available for free. The charging cables are lent for Yamaha or Bosch electric bikes.

Period of opening : From 18/06 to 11/09 between 9.30 am and 5.30 pm.
Closed exceptionally on 25/07/2022, 26/07/2022 and 27/07/2022.
Closed from 12:30 AM to 2 PM.
Open only the morning thursday 28 th an friday 29 th of july and the 1st of august ( 9 : 30 am - 2 pm).
Open only the afternoon , the thusday 2nd of august ( 2 pm - 5 :30 pm ).

In a mountain pasture where sheep and chamois graze and where vultures and other large birds of prey fly overhead, come and visit us and share a moment of relaxation.
Please note: this site has been awarded the Natura 2000 label and is subject to numerous measures to preserve its biodiversity. We therefore invite you to adopt the right reflexes when you come to protect this sensitive area.

The Plateau itself is a little corner of paradise, with a wide variety of alpine flowers in June and July, numerous marmot colonies close to the refuge, grasshoppers, butterflies and dragonflies around the lakes, as well as larks, golden eagles and, more recently, vultures from the south (around sixty of them). Emparis has also always been a renowned alpine pasture: the trail is an opportunity to meet the shepherds, their dogs and their thousands of sheep. Departure is also possible from Besse en Oisans or Le Chazelet, in both cases following the GR54.
Observation equipment available.
Make sure you book well in advance!

We have owned and run the familial refuge of La Fay for 43 years ! In front of the glacier of la Girose, Le Râteau and La Meije, you will taste our specialities "Farcis de l'Oisans and "Crozets": some guests come from miles to enjoy them.
A few animals keep us company : chikens, goats, horses...

From Mizoen – Les Aymes, the path follows the path GR50-54 (Tour du Dauphiné) that leads up to the refuge des Clots (it is also possible to make a detour via the discovery path): take a break and admire the huge Cascade de La Pisse and the view!
Then continue the climb, quite steep, up to the plateau where you reach the refuge du Fay, which you’ll see on your left in a bend of the track. Le Plateau itself is a little piece of heaven, with a wide variety of alpine flowers during
June and July, numerous colonies of marmots near the refuge, grasshoppers, butterflies, dragonflies to the lakes, and also larks, the golden eagle and around sixty vultures recently arrived from the South. Emparis has always been a renowned pasture: the path will then be a good excuse to encounter the shepherds, their dogs and thousands of sheep. The departure is also possible from Besse-en-Oisans or Le Chazelet, in both cases following the path GR54. Mountain bikers may also reach the hut by the sheperds’ road (about 15km), which can also be taken by suitable vehicles with dry and clear weather.

Period of opening : From 18/06 to 30/09.

Prices : Night: 20 €
Breakfast: 9 €
Dinner: 20 €
Half board (pp): 45 € (adult)
Half-board (child): 23 to 33 €
Shower: 2 €
Picnic to take away: 10 €.

Access : From Mizoen Les Aymes, the path follows the path GR50-54 (Tour du Dauphiné) that leads up to the refuge ds Clots (it is also possible to make a detour via the discovery path) : take a break and admire the huge Cascade de la Pisse and the view ! Then continue the climb, quite steep, up to the plateau where you reach the refuge du Fay, wich you'll see on your left in a bend of the track. Le Plateau itself is a little piece of heaven, with a wide variety of alpine flowers during june and july, numerous colonies of marmots near the refuge, grasshopers, butterflies to the lakes, and also larks, the golden eagle and around sixty vultures recently arrived from the south. Emparis has always beena renowed pasture : the path will then be a good excuse to encounter the sheperds, their dogs and thousands of sheep. The departure is also possible from Besse en Oisans or Le Chazelet, in both cases following the path GR54. Mountain bikers may also reach the hut by the sheperd's road (about 15 km), wich can also be taken by suitable vehicles with dry and clear weather.

A little paradise on the Emparis plateau at 1540 meters. A step not to miss on the GR 54 "Tour de l'Oisans" in the Ecrins National Park overlooking the Meije, not to mention the welcome of the guardian !
From the car park at Les Aymes, follow the path marked in red and white (variant of the GR 54 path): the balcony trail makes its way above the Lac
du Chambon before climbing up across the meadows. From there, it is possible either to follow the trail to the right that joins the refuge (adding ½ hour), or to carry straight on directly to Les Clots. Along the way, and near the refuge, depending on the time of your visit, you may see marmots, chamois and butterflies, and depending on the season, feast your eyes and nose with lavender and other orange lilies. You’ll also have a chance to admire the waterfalls surrounding the hut, gushing out of a petrified fountain, forming concretions of tuf. The site is under a biotope protection order, so please stay on the path to avoid damaging this geological wonder.

Period of opening : From 26/05 to 30/09.
Open from middle may to the end of september.

Prices : Night: 17 €
Child rate per night: 10 €
Half board (pp): 48 €
Half-board (child): 35 €
-3 years old: free
-6 years old: 25 €
-12 years old: 35 €

Picnic to take away: 9 €.
Tourist tax included.
Access : From the car park at les Aymes, follow the path marked in red and withe (variant of the GR 54 path): the balcony trail makes its way above the lac du Chambon before climbing up accross the meadows. From there, it is possible either to follow the trail to the right that joins the refuge (adding 1/2 hour) or carry straight on directly to Les Clots.

The Maison des Alpages is located in the heart of the village of Besse. It is an important, local tourist centre that puts on a number of exhibitions and events throughout the year, including entertaining exhibitions that depict changes in agropastoralism in Oisans, the work of shepherds, transhumance, pastureland and the landscape of the Ferrand Valley.
The museographic area features a fun, interactive approach to pastoral life and there are also several temporary exhibitions. It organizes visits to alpine pastures to meet shepherds, together with various artistic workshops.
The museum is a member of the "Route des Savoir-Faire de l'Oisans" and organize a guided visit of Besse.
LABEL :
- Membre du réseau des Richesses Culturelles de l’Oisans (RCO)
- Membre de la "Route des Savoir-Faire de l'Oisans"

Period of opening : From 01/07 to 31/08, daily between 10 am and 7 pm.
From 10 AM to 12 and from 2 PM to 7 PM.

From 01/09 to 18/09/2022.
Closed Monday and Tuesday.

Prices : Adult: 4 €
Group adults: 3 to 9 €.

Free entry for children < 15 years.
Group rate available for > 10 people.