What to do in spring in Serre Chevalier & Briançon? Our best ideas for enjoying the mountains out of season
The off-season is a well-kept secret for those who really know the mountains.
Between the end of the ski season and the summer opening of the high altitude ski area, Serre Chevalier Briançon reveals another version of itself: quieter, more authentic, often more beautiful.
Here are our top ideas for activities available this spring 🌼
1. Les Grands Bains du Monêtier: the must-see wellness venue
Good news: the Grands Bains du Monêtier are open until May 17, 2026.
It's the highlight of spring in Serre Chevalier - all the more so since the new Spa La Rotonde opened its doors in February 2026, offering an unparalleled wellness experience reserved for over-16s, with panoramic sauna, hammam, sensory pool and natural waterfall at 44°C.
Please note: from April 20, opening times will be reduced on weekdays (closed Monday and Tuesday, open Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 8pm, Thursday and Friday from 1:30pm) Remember to check opening times before you go!
2. Hiking, the queen of spring in the valley
The valley floor trails are accessible from April onwards. Le Casset, Le Monêtier-les-Bains, the banks of the Guisane or the hamlets of Saint-Chaffrey offer beautiful walks without the need for altitude. The larch trees start to turn green, the first mountain flowers appear, and nature reclaims its rights in a welcome silence.
Good practice: in spring, high-altitude itineraries remain snow-covered and sometimes dangerous. Choose trails below 1,800 m and check with the Tourist Office before setting off.
3. Whitewater sports: spring is THE season
The melting snow swells the rivers to their highest levels - technically, it's the best time of year to take to the water in the valley.
The Guisane, fed by glaciers from the Col du Lautaret, can be navigated over 18 kilometers from Monêtier les Bains to Briançon, with courses for all levels. On the Briançon side, the Durance offers a great alternative: wider, more accessible to families and beginners, it's an excellent place to discover.
You can choose from rafting, canorafting, airboating, kayaking, hydrospeed or canyoning - all supervised by qualified professionals who supply all the equipment.
⚠️ Water levels change quickly in spring, depending on the weather. Always confirm your outing the day before with your service provider.
4. Paragliding: soar above the valley 🪂
The Serre Chevalier valley is an ideal playground for learning or perfecting paragliding, with passionate professionals offering flights in complete safety Serre Chevalier & Briançon
In spring, thermal conditions begin to stabilize - sometimes the ideal time for a first flight, with the snow still present on the peaks as a backdrop.
5. Relaxation, massage & yoga: mountain therapy
Spring is also the time to reconnect with nature and recharge your batteries. Take part in a session of "Shinrin-Yoku", or forest bathing, accompanied by a nature guide, before moving on to a yoga session at altitude. A true reset for body and mind, amidst larch trees that come back to life.
6. Via Ferrata at sunset
Via ferrata is all very well. But at the end of the day, when the golden light caresses the Alps, it's even better! It's a unique experience that lets you gain height and admire the mountains from another angle. And for the more adventurous, why not organize a suspended picnic? Thrills and breathtaking views guaranteed.
7. Briançon & the Vauban fortifications
Briançon can be visited in any season, and on foot - and spring is perhaps the best time to do so, without the summer pressure. Perched on a rocky outcrop 1,326 meters above sea level, the upper town is hemmed in by ramparts designed by Vauban and crowned by high-altitude forts that made it impregnable.
Vauban's fortifications in Briançon are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, alongside eleven other sites, and are part of the Réseau des Sites Majeurs de Vauban.
Guided tours are offered by Briançon's Heritage Department - bookable directly from the Tourist Office.
8. Trail & running: training in the mountains
Spring marks the return of runners to the trails of the Briançonnais. The Espace Trail du Briançonnais offers 12 marked trails for all levels, from beginner to expert, freely accessible from the valley's villages. The crests of Peyrolles, the woods of Chantemerle or the paths above Briançon offer accessible loops as soon as the snow retreats from the valley floor, in incomparable silence and spring light.
There's no need to be preparing for an ultra: trail running in Serre Chevalier in spring is also a great way to hike faster, to feel the mountain awaken beneath your soles.
9. Local gastronomy: enjoy the flavours of the Briançonnais in peace and quiet
The off-season is the ideal time to (re)discover local producers and restaurants, which are often less crowded than during the high season. Larch honey from the Lautaret beehives, mountain cheeses, tourtons du Briançonnais - small fried pastries filled with potatoes, cheese or spinach, typical of the region - and artisanal charcuterie are just some of the good places to visit in the valley.
Some restaurants and delicatessens remain open throughout the off-season. This is the time to sit on a terrace with a view of the snow-covered peaks and enjoy heartfelt mountain cuisine, far from the pressure of winter shooting.
10. Vélo sur les routes des Grands Cols: springtime for cyclists
Spring means the return of two-wheeled climbers to the valley. And with good reason: from the end of April onwards, the roads over the mythical passes of the Briançonnais region are gradually reopening, offering cyclists legendary climbs in a setting still untouched by the summer crowds.
The Col du Lautaret (2,058 m) is often the first to open - an emblematic climb from Le Monêtier-les-Bains, with the Jardin Alpin du Lautaret as the reward at the summit. On the Col d'Izoard (2,360 m), the passage through the Casse Déserte - a chaos of scree slopes and rocky peaks - remains one of the most photographed climbs of the Tour de France.
For cyclists who prefer a more leisurely pedaling experience, the valley-bottom roads along the Guisane also offer easy, gentle rides, with the snow of the peaks as a backdrop.
Good to know: the reopening of the passes depends on snow conditions. Check traffic conditions before setting off.
📌 How to book your smart stay in Serre Chevalier & Briançon?
💻 Visit our reservation center to find all our special offers and spring deals:
👉 Booking center
📞 Need personalized advice? Contact our teams, we'll help you organize your tailor-made stay with the best accommodation and activity offers! +33 (0)4 92 24 98 80
🌿 S pring is THE ideal season to enjoy the mountains in a different way...with friends or family, without the crowds and with exclusive offers. So why not book your spring getaway to Serre Chevalier & Briançon? 😉