Landscapes of the Lure Mountains

The Paysages de Lure – in English: the landscapes of Lure – are a particularly charming part of the south-western foothills of the Alps. They consist almost exclusively of sedimentary rock, which gives them a barren, very rocky appearance. To the south, towards the Mediterranean, this hilly landscape slopes gently and only gradually. To the north, the landscape looks as if it has been ‘broken off’. Here, the slopes are steep, heavily wooded and correspondingly shady. About one kilometre before the highest point, the ‘Sommet de Lure’, and about two kilometres before the top of the Alpine pass Pas de la Graille, there is a special car park with a viewing platform. Here you have a wonderful view over the pre-Alpine landscape southwest of Gap.

It is interesting to note that this mountain road and, accordingly, the Sommet de Lure are higher than the summit of the nearby Pas de la Graille Alpine pass, which is located on the same route.

This region of the Alps is relatively unknown and, accordingly, not very busy, but it has a lot to offer in terms of driving pleasure and sights.