DOMAINE
MONTSAINTJUAN
THE REGION
GEORAPHIC INFORMATION
The Buëch is the river formed by the confluence of the Petit and Grand Buëch. Located in the south-west of the department of Hautes-Alpes this valley or "country" has an area of 1500 km2. It covers sectors of the Hautes-Alpes department such as Gapençais, Dévoluy, Bochaine, Serrois- Rosanais or Laragnais and encroaches on the Drôme department at Lus-la-Croix-Haute and in the valleys of Céans and of the Méouge.
Best known as an important passageway between the Durance valley and Grenoble, from Sisteron to Lus-la-Croix-Haute (alternative route for the Côte d'Azur) , it has many hidden treasures and deserves to be better known.
The Hautes-Alpes department, which culminates at 4102 m at the summit of the Barre des Ecrins, is the second French department with the highest average altitude. The Buëch valley is its lowest part, but with significant variations in altitude and climate. The Pic de Bure, to the north, culminates at 2709 m altitude and has a well marked alpine character, while to the south, towards Sisteron, we are at the gates of Provence at only 470 m altitude. The Buëch thus constitutes an original ensemble, with a particular character, difficult to classify, where "the mountain is in Provence". It is a pivotal area, a country of contrasts rich in diversity, a real paradise for botanists and naturalists from all walks of life.
CLIMATE
Arriving in the Buëch country, the visitor will be pleasantly surprised by the climate. Indeed, when arriving from the north, once past the Croix-Haute pass, Mediterranean influences and mistral (or "bise" as the locals say) make Buëch a country with exceptional brightness and sunshine, which enjoys more than 300 days of sunshine per year.
POPULATION
Finally, another major characteristic of the region is its space : the traces of human activity remain particularly discreet and at a loss of view, nature predominates. With about 11 inhabitants per square kilometer and small farms, the region is indeed one of the most preserved in France.
ACTIVITIES & LEISURE
The Buëch valley is therefore an extraordinary playground for lovers of outdoor activities, whether hiking or horseback riding, mountain biking, climbing or air sports of all kinds.
Source: http://www.buech-rando.com/fr/
