| Severe | |
 | |
| The village of La Grave | |
| Information | |
| Country |  France |
|---|---|
| Region | High mountains |
| Watercourse | Romanche |
| Area | 126 km² |
| Population | 487 hab. (2013) |
| Density | 3,87 inhab./km² |
| Postal code | 05320 |
| Spindle | UTC 01:00, UTC 02:00 |
| Location | |
 45 ° 2 ′ 44 ″ N 6 ° 18 ′ 19 ″ E | |
| Official site | |
| Touristic site | |
Severe is a village of High mountains classified among the most beautiful villages in France. It is located in the Romanche valley, at the foot of the Meije, in the Ecrins massif. Located in the heart of the mountain, it is an ideal starting point for a multitude of summer and winter activities (hiking, mountaineering, skiing ...). It benefits from a vast natural environment, including several protected areas, part of which is in the Ecrins National Park. The village and its hamlets have kept a traditional mountain aspect.
Understand
La Grave is a town in which most of the territory is in the high mountains. The main village and its hamlets are located between 1200 and 1800 meters above sea level.
The surrounding massifs allow the practice of multiple outdoor activities, including mountaineering, climbing, mountain hiking, mountain biking, cycle tourism, skiing (downhill skiing in a secure ski area near the hamlet of Chazelet , or free-ride on an off-piste area in the Meije valleys), Nordic skiing, snowshoes, sled dogs, etc.
The villages have many traditional constructions: houses or religious buildings, in particular. Several of these elements are classified as historical monuments or listed in the general inventory of cultural heritage.
To go
The main road access is the departmental road 1091 (former national road 91), which connects Grenoble (department of Isère) to Briançon (department of Hautes-Alpes). It is possible to access the town from Valloire in Savoie in summer only by the Col du Galibier then the Col du Lautaret.
It is possible to get there by car, carpooling, bus-type public transport (by a regular line connecting Grenoble and Briançon), by bike, by hiking (long-distance hiking trails).
Circulate
Traffic in the town is possible by car and coach. Many hiking trails allow pedestrians and hikers to link villages together or access high mountain areas. Cycling routes also exist.
To see
The natural sites surrounding La Grave are renowned, both for the high summits of the Ecrins and the Arves massif, but also for the lakes, and the protected sites (Ecrins national park, Natura 2000 areas, etc.). High mountain huts exist in the town: the Aigle hut (3,450 m), the Goléon hut (2,480 m), the Évariste Chancel hut (2,506 m).
Several cultural events take place in the town and in its canton, including the Messiaen festival in the Pays de la Meije and the Rencontres de la Haute Romanche. Local festivals also take place, including the Guides Festival.
Sports events take place on the territory of the municipality, including the Derby de la Meije (at the end of winter), the Ultra Raid de la Meije, the Trail du Pays de la Meije, etc.
Many religious buildings are remarkable. The traditional architecture of the village houses is also specific to this region.
The lightly polluted sky makes it easy to observe the stars at night, especially during bivouacs in the mountains.
Do
Many activities are possible in the town: outdoor activities, visits to villages, discovery of local gastronomy in restaurants ...
To buy
Several stores exist: bakery, grocery stores, cheese factories, take-out restaurants, shops for clothing and winter sports equipment, crafts, souvenirs, etc. There is also a hairdressing salon.
Eat
Many restaurants and snacks can be found in the main village and the hamlets.
Have a drink / Go out
Several bars and a few places offering concerts are present in the main town and the hamlets.
At the time of cultural festivals, concerts, shows, plays, etc. are played.
Exhibitions take place in several places in the canton of La Grave.
Housing
Several accommodation solutions are possible: rental, guest room, hotel, inn, lodge, campsite.
Communicate
Cell phones allow communication over a large part of the territory, but there is no longer a network in certain high mountain places, due to the relief. The satellite emergency telephone number remains the solution in the event of an emergency.
Internet is accessible in the villages, and a permanence is offered in a room of the town hall of La Grave for people who wish to connect to this network.
Manage the day-to-day
Various services and administrations are located in the town.
The town hall, a post office, a tourist office, a fire station and a gendarmerie are located along the main road in the village of La Grave.
A doctor is also present, in a room near the bakery (also by the roadside in the main town); doctors can offer pharmacology services, the other nearest doctors and pharmacies being in Monêtier-les-Bains (Serre-Chevalier), Deux-Alpes, Bourg-d'Oisans. The nearest hospital is that of Briançon, another option being the hospital of Grenoble.
A service station (fuel) and a garage mechanic exist in La Grave.
The children of the canton are grouped together in two schools, according to the level classes, between La Grave (main town) and Villar-d'Arêne. These schools depend on the Aix-Marseille academy. The closest colleges are in Briançon and Bourg-d'Oisans, the closest high schools in Briançon and Vizille (Isère).
The library-media library is part of the Hautes-Alpes bookmobile network, which allows a regular renewal of part of the funds.
Around
The neighboring village of Villar-d'Arêne, located in the same canton and less than 3 km also retains its mountain aspect. Visits to places such as the banal oven or a mill restored as an ecomuseum provide an overview of the life of the inhabitants in past centuries.
The alpine botanical garden of the Lautaret pass allows you to admire a vast collection of high mountain plants and flowers from the five continents; this garden is managed by the University of Grenoble; tours take place in summer.
Many mountain passes are frequented by athletic cyclists.
In summer and winter, the surrounding resorts are accessible: Les Deux-Alpes, Alpe d'Huez, Serre-Chevalier, even resorts a little further away such as Montgenèvre, Pelvoux ...
In the town of Villar-d'Arêne, the Astroguidaine welcomes amateur astronomers during training courses.
