Camping des 5 Vallées

Cycle tourers, you should probably get a little bit of training in before heading up here – these are hills that challenge even the hardy Tour de France competitors. Look out for footage of the competitors taking on the passes of Izoard, Galibier and Lautaret and you'll have an idea of what you’re in for… For other ways to experience the scenery, there are lots of hiking trails around, plus skiing at Serre-Chevalier (half an hour’s drive), a rafting centre (five minutes) and several paragliding outfits (within 10 minutes). The area around Briançon has several adventure parks with tree-climbing trails where kids can get a taste for outdoor challenges. Taking it easy for a while, have a stroll around the pretty town of Briançon (10 minutes), exploring the UNESCO-listed Vauban fortifications while you're there. You might also like to learn about the area's geology and industrial past at La Mine d’argent (15 minutes) or take a day trip to another country – the Italian border is only about half an hour’s drive away.