Hautes-Alpes, Department in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France.
Hautes-Alpes is a department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of southeastern France, covering alpine landscapes with summits reaching up to 4000 meters (13123 feet). The prefecture of Gap sits at the center, while the territory stretches from the Italian Alps in the east to river valleys in the west.
After the French Revolution, this area was established as a department on March 4, 1790, combining parts of southern Dauphiné with the northern section of Provence. The border location brought military fortifications built under Vauban in the 17th century.
Mountain villages preserve dialects and farming traditions passed down through generations in the valleys. Local festivals still feature dances and crafts connected to sheep herding and life at high altitude.
Most mountain roads close from November to April, while lower valley routes remain accessible year-round. Hiking trails range from flat riverside paths to demanding high-altitude routes above the tree line.
Saint-Véran sits at 2040 meters (6693 feet) and is considered the highest inhabited commune in Europe. Farmhouses there stand on stilts made of larch wood to keep snow and moisture away from living spaces.
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