Embrun was built on an 80-metre-high puddingstone rock overlooking the Durance. Renting a holiday apartment in Embrun is one possible option when planning your stay.
Townscape
The old town of Embrun includes centuries-old buildings, 14th-century houses with corbelled upper floors, Renaissance houses, portals, fountains, Lombard arcades and sculptures. The historic centre of Embrun is protected as a remarkable heritage site, a Remarkable Heritage Site.
The Cathédrale Notre-Dame-du-Réal features Lombard-inspired architecture that combines black slate and white limestone.
Culture and History
The Maison des Chanonges is the oldest civil building in Embrun. The building dates from the 13th century and has been listed as a historic monument since 1988. Since 2007, the Maison des Chanonges has housed the Maison du Patrimoine de l’Embrunais, an interpretation centre dedicated to the heritage of the Embrunais region.
The former archbishop’s palace of Embrun, including the ground beneath its eastern and western courtyards, has been listed as a historic monument since 20 September 2005. Its garden is now a public garden. The Tour Brune is a former keep of the archbishops of Embrun, built from the late 12th century onwards. The restored Tour Brune houses an exhibition venue managed by the Parc national des Ecrins, but it is temporarily closed until further notice. The guided tour “Embrun, coeurs et âmes” ends at the former Saint-Donat church.
Landscape and Trails
The Promenade du bord du Roc is a panoramic walking route from the cathedral through the gardens of the archbishop’s palace to the town walls; there are orientation and information panels along the way. The Plaine du Roc is protected as a Natura 2000 site and is suitable for walking and jogging between the Durance and the foot of the Roc.
The Tour du plan d'eau is a completely flat route accessible to everyone between the Plan d'eau and the wild riverbed of the Durance. It can be started in the centre of Embrun at the Tour Brune car park.
Water and Leisure
The Plan d'eau d'Embrun covers 27 hectares, is located 2 km from the town centre and is served by a free hybrid shuttle. Sailing, rowing, canoeing and kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and other leisure activities are available there. The “Au Fil de l’Eau” trail runs for around 2.6 km around the Plan d'eau d'Embrun. The Mini Golf du plan d'eau d'Embrun includes a landscaped garden with cascades, pools and rock fountains.
More location pages: Ristolas, Saint-Pierre-D'argençon, Briancon, Villar-Saint-Pancrace, Crévoux, Montbrand, Jarjayes, La Roche-Des-Arnauds
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