Mont-Dauphin | Guillestrois Queyras

Why come to Mont-Dauphin?

Deserted by the military, civilians have taken full possession of the square. They were already there when it was built, as Vauban intended to. Today, the heart of the monument beats to the rhythm of its village. The military rigor of yesterday has given way to the ambient dolce vita. Attracted by the colors and smells emanating from the workshops, you stroll along to meet the artists and craftsmen who compete in creativity. Know-hows are passed on, to the delight of your senses. Enjoying a moment on a terrasse, you don’t say no to an artisanal ice cream. In the street, children dare each other to step into the gargoyle, under your amused gaze. And why not take a nap under the chestnut trees in the plantation garden, before setting off again to explore?

Accommodation in Mont-Dauphin

Restaurant et épicerie la Tap à l'Auberge de l'échauguette

Mont-Dauphin restaurants

Librairie-boutique de Mont-Dauphin

Vannerie de la Meije

Bubbles of the Peaks

Petit Tour à l'Atelier

Mont-Dauphin shops

Tuesday 03 December

Cloudy

7^°C

Wind : 8km/hHumidity : 69%

Morning

3^°C

Afternoon

4^°C

Evening

0^°C

Wednesday 04 December

Partly cloudy

6^°C

min : -2^°C / max : 6^°C

Wind : 7km/hHumidity : 59%

Morning

0^°C

Afternoon

4^°C

Evening

-2^°C

Thursday 05 December

Sunny

8^°C

min : -2^°C / max : 8^°C

Wind : 5km/hHumidity : 45%

Morning

-1^°C

Afternoon

5^°C

Evening

1^°C

Friday 06 December

Cloudy

10^°C

min : 3^°C / max : 10^°C

Wind : 8km/hHumidity : 87%

Morning

4^°C

Afternoon

7^°C

Evening

3^°C

Saturday 07 December

Cloudy

11^°C

min : 4^°C / max : 11^°C

Wind : 5km/hHumidity : 68%

Morning

4^°C

Afternoon

7^°C

A village built to protect France

1692, Louis XIV is pissed! His enemy, the Duke of Savoy, had finally left the Durance valley. And he’s left quite a mess behind him. He mobilized Sébastien Le Pestre de Vauban, who was an architect, urban planner and engineer, to put his genius to work in the service of peace through military constructions. The Mont-Dauphin’s stronghold, straight out of the architect’s great brain, takes on its full strategic dimension in the heart of the Guillestrois region. Perched on its rocky outcrop, this impregnable vessel stands for a sentinel over the surrounding valleys. Anyone who dares attack it : Look out! But if you show your true colors, this titan will shelter you from its protective ramparts.

What to do in Mont-Dauphin

Since 2008, Mont-Dauphin has been part of the very select list of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, along with 11 others of its kind created by Vauban. How cool!

Let yourself be led

CMN tours

All year round, the “Centre des Monuments Nationaux” lifts the veil of mystery from the buildings of the Place Forte. The Poudrière (powder keg), arsenal and underground passages open their doors during guided tours. Discover the Mont-Dauphin guided tour

Discover Mont-Dauphin with children

What a playground for children in search of exploration! And thanks to the “Mont-Dauphin en famille” app, your whole tribe can learn while having fun, combining heritage and technology. Find out more about the app

The historic gardens

Let the gardener Manu tell you all about the secrets and legends of plants. He’s patiently reconstructed a historic garden. Do you know which plants are edible and which heal? Visit the historic garden

Learn about the stronghold

Mont-Dauphin is the archetypal example of Vauban’s star-shaped fortifications: adapting to the terrain, using local materials, bringing soldiers and villagers together… Take a step up to visualize all this! Download the map of Mont-Dauphin

Ousmane Sow's Little Bighorn exhibition

It’s been a long time since the soldiers and their horses left the Rochambeau barracks. But now the building is coming back to life, welcoming 24 soldiers and 11 horses straight from the Dakar studio of Ousmane Sow. These monumental sculptures, made of melted plastic straw and coated jute canvas, take you to the heart of the Battle of Little Bighorn. Alongside Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse, young and old ones alike let themselves led passionately into the story of the last victory of the Amerindian nations against the American soldiers, in a final resistance attempt.

Discover the exhibition

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The new life of the military buildings

The military history of the stronghold may be something from the past, but that doesn’t mean it has to be put to rest. Thanks to their new functions, the military buildings are enjoying a new lease of life, and invite you to take a fresh look at them. The Rochambeau barracks are now home to an oyster mushroom farmer, as well as a local cheese cellar that will melt your heart. As for the superb Philibert de l’Orme-style framework, it is now home to a masterly exhibition by Senegalese artist Ousmane Sow, who is restoring this architectural jewel to its former glory. Here, we love living heritage!

Discover the maturing cellar

Panoramic views

Here are our top 3 views from the stronghold.

The ramparts of the Embrun door, an insight into military strategy

You’re standing at the prow of this stone ship, high above the waves. You can see the confluence of the Guil and Durance rivers below. From here, you overlook the valley crossroads that meet at this strategic point. It’s easy to understand why Vauban called this plateau “blessed by the gods”!

The Arsenal ramparts: face to face with the Ecrins mountains

Far off towards Briançon, on the Durance’s right bank, there are mountains that keep their white cap all year round. Let me introduce you to the Ecrins mountain range. This national park includes the department’s highest peaks, and is home to several thousand-year-old glaciers. A superb vantage point from which to experience the thrill of mountaineering.

The ”échauguette”, above an ampty space

Calling all explorers! Wearing a soldier’s skin, you step back in time and rush into the watchtower. Now it’s your turn to keep watch! From this vantage point above the rampart, you’ll enjoy a breathtaking view of the Guillestre plateau and the Guil canyon, and an incredible sense of freedom. A must for young and old in search of adventure!

The Mont-Dauphin craftsmen and artists

Here, we invent, we make, we create, and above all, we transmit. Immerse yourself in a village where art is within everyone’s reach!

Sharing art

Shops

In Mont-Dauphin, there is a certain pride in craftsmanship : a symphony of materials and colors, tastes and textures, an enchantment for the eyes and taste buds. Discover their work

The Do It Yourself workshops

Roll up your sleeves and let your creativity flow, as our artisans invite you behind the scenes at the Do It Yourself workshops. Experience a workshop