The Vallée du Ferrand tourist office will help you discover Mizoën, Clavans-en-Haut-Oisans and Besse-en-Oisans as you tour the valley from the heights of Lac du Chambon to the Col de Sarenne and the Plateau d'Emparis!
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.

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!

The refuge du Fay is a family-run refuge that we've owned and run for 51 years! Chickens, goats and horses make up the welcoming committee, which is sure to please the little ones!
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 ideal opportunity to meet the shepherds, their dogs and their thousands of sheep.

A lovely mountain hut near Mizoën at an altitude of 1515 m. A stopover on the GR50 54C tour of the Ecrins and the start of numerous hikes on the Emparis plateau. Close to the petrifying Cascade de la Pisse waterfall, the via ferrata and a climbing route. Superb views of the Meije.
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, hikers can either follow the discovery trail to the right that joins the refuge (adding ½ hour) or carry straight on to Les Clots. The walk and hut have been awarded the "Espit Parc" label and are perfect for families and people looking for peace and quiet and to reconnect with their inner selves!
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 orange lilies.
You’ll also have a chance to admire the waterfalls above the hut, gushing out of a petrified fountain, forming lumps of tuf. The site is under a biotope protection order, so please stay on the path to avoid damaging this geological wonder.

In the heart of the village of Besse-en-Oisans, classified as a remarkable site, the Maison des Alpages houses a museum, a projection room and exhibitions dedicated to pastoralism. It also offers outings to meet the herds and shepherds.
The museum tour is divided into several sections:

- A permanent, interactive exhibition invites you to discover pastoralism as it is practiced today, dispelling preconceived ideas and highlighting age-old know-how.
- A museum area dedicated to the rich history of Besse-en-Oisans and the Ferrand Valley will introduce you to life in mountain villages in bygone days (collection of old objects, photos, personal accounts, etc.).
- Numerous modules on issues such as climate change, predation, the environment and the economy linked to pastoralism complete the visit.

The Maison des Alpages also offers free activities for children, including access to the library (with a wide selection of books on subjects such as the mountain environment, fauna, flora, transhumance and life in the past), and booklets of games and puzzles available from reception.
Finish your visit with a visit to the museum's boutique, dedicated mainly to local producers, whose aim is to introduce quality products to local and visiting customers, promoting members of the Route des Savoir Faire de l'Oisans, Alpe is Here and the Ecrins National Park.

The Maison des Alpages also offers guided tours of Besse, outings to the mountain pastures to meet the herds and shepherds, and hikes in the summer pasture hamlets. After these outings, liven up your evenings with the "Les alpages font leur cinéma" film festival.

LABELS :
- Member of the Richesses Culturelles de l'Oisans (RCO) network
- Member of the "Route des Savoir-Faire de l'Oisans".
-Esprit Parc National,
-Ecrins National Park Information Point