Freissinières, Ecrins National Park, France

Real Men rock the Alps will be organized in a truly magnificent area in France. The base location in the French Alps is located in the national park “Les Ecrins”.

At about 20 km. from Briançon (the highest town in Europe, with a minimum of 300 days of sunshine per year) is the town of Freissinières. Here is the municipal campsite “Les Allouviers”, the base camp of the Crux organization.

From the campsite you look out over beautiful mountain meadows and impressive rock walls. Les Hautes Alpes is characterized by a wide diversity of nature; high alpine terrain with striking peaks, different rock formations, rushing alpine rivers, the largest lake in France and wonderful swimming lakes. Sandwiched between two national parks, Queras and Ecrins, the valley of the Durance river offers every imaginable outdoor sport at any level. Due to the diverse character, the deeply eroded mountain streams that flow into the Durance and the inviting climate, you can climb to your heart’s content, go on Via Ferrata trips, explore canyoning, kayaking, rafting, hiking and mountain biking. The area is not crowded and touristic, so you can still really enjoy the purity of nature here.

Directions

Directions Ecrins

In East Central France you’ll find Lyon. South­east of this city you’ll find Grenoble, and somewhat to the east, close to the Italian border is Briançon (a smaller city).

South of Briançon is l’Argentière la Bessée and the town of Freissinières, our base location. There are multiple routes to the French Alps of course. The following auto­route is easy to follow and fairly direct. The distance from the center of the Netherlands ­ Freissinières is about 1000 km. Car travel time (without delays) will be between 10 and 12 hours.

Details: Breda / Maastricht / Liege / Luxemburg by E25 (Autoroute du Soleil). In Luxemburg continue to follow the direction of Metz­Nancy: In France, the Autoroute du Soleil continues to Metz­Nancy (from here it’s a toll road) ­ Dijon via the A31. Just before Dijon change highway towards Grenoble via A39, A40, A42 and A48.

In Grenoble

Keep following the ring road (“Rocade Sud”). Take the N85 ­later on N91­ towards Briançon / Col de Lautaret. After Grenoble is a tough piece of “national route” of 110 km. You’ll pass through villages like Givet, Lavet, Bourg d’Oisans. You’ll pass ski Les Deux Alpes and La Grave, before driving back down through the magnificent Col de Lautaret, Serre Chevalier and eventually you will reach Briançon.

At Briançon

In the city (roundabout) keep right. Pass the Mc Donald’s among others. Follow this road towards l’Argentière­la­Bessee/Embrun / Gap / Sisteron. A few kilometers past l’Argentiere you’ll reach the town of La Roche de Rame. Just before the town is a right turn for Freissinières.

Pass under the railway bridge and after the bridge go up on your left (18% ascent!). Follow this road through the small village Pallon. After the village pass over the bridge, and turn right. After 60 meters, just before the second bridge / dam is the exit to the campsite on your left. Follow the road up to the site and please announce your arrival at the Crux tents immediately on the left side of the camp, signing up at the reception is not necessary.

TomTom (Travel Planner)

Travelplanners like to send you through the Frejus tunnel and Italy, which is more expensive and will take you longer. Watch out for direction Grenoble, Bourg St Maurice and Briançon via the Col de Lautaret, unless you really dislike mountain driving.

Public transport

By train always travel to the final destination Argentiere ­ Les Ecrins (note, there are several Argentieres …)

1A. International trains via Eurostar to Paris, then take the TGV to Dijon / Valence, then continue by train from Gap to final destination Argentierre­les Ecrins. Average cost around € 230, ­ for a return ticket.

1B. From Paris there’s a nighttrain with destination Briançon. The train has couchettes/bunk beds. Get off in Argentierre Ecrins, which is 20 km from Briançon.

1C. From Paris by TGV to Turin, get off in Oulx. From Oulx there’s a direct shuttle service to Briançon. This is the most direct route you can take by train.

2A. Since March 2014, there’s a daily KLM flight from Schiphol to Turin, prices start at €99,­. Transavia also offers several flights per week from Schiphol, from €105, ­ Turin is a 1.5 hour drive from the campsite in Freissinieres. From Turin Airport rent a car, or continue your journey by train to Oulx, where you take the bus to Briançon. Brussels and Dusseldorf are alternative places of departure for flights to Turin.

2B. Fly to Marseille or Nice as a second alternative. From here, take the train to Argentiere les Ecrins, about five hours by train through the beautiful French countryside.

3. During summertime there’s no direct connection by shuttle bus. There is a possibility to take a Eurolines bus to Valence, and then continue to Argentiere­Les Ecrins by train.

4. We will pick you up from the train station in Argentiere­Ecrins. Let us know well in advance what time you’ll arrive. We don’t charge for this ride. You can also ask us to pick you up from Briançon. Cost for this ride is € 15,