- Stage town for the sixth time
- Mountain resort in Hautes-Alpes (05) attached to the commune of Orcières
- Population: 670 (Orcatus and Orcatuses)
The best-remembered Tour finish in Orcières was the first one in 1971, when Luis Ocaña imposed himself on his rivals. The driving force in a relentlessly fast breakaway, the Spaniard rode the last 60 kilometres alone and finished almost nine minutes ahead of Eddy Merckx. The margin seemed decisive at the time, but the duel between the two big favourites ultimately ended when the Spaniard crashed in the Pyrenees and abandoned the race. This anecdote may provide Primož Roglič with food for thought, as he also won in the Hautes-Alpes resort early on in the 2020 Tour only to suffer brutal disappointment in that edition’s final time trial at La Planche des Belles Filles.
Station d’Orcières-Merlette 1850
History and characteristics : the first ski lift was inaugurated in 1952 by local merchants. The Merlette 1850 resort developed during the 1960s and 1970s, boosted by the 1964 “Plan Neige.” Today it offers 18,000 tourist beds and a ski area of 100 km of slopes (7 green, 14 blue, 17 red and 6 black) served by 28 lifts. The Nordic area includes 43 km of trails. The resort also features the longest zip line in Europe (1,870 m, reaching speeds up to 140 km/h) and, in summer, a mountain-biking area and hiking trails.
Parc national des Écrins
Characteristics : half of the commune’s territory lies within the park’s core zone. In summer, the preserved slopes are covered with rhododendrons and lilies. Local fauna includes chamois, roe deer, foxes and marmots. Above 3,000 m, glaciers and alpine meadows dominate. In winter, the park can be explored on snowshoes or ski touring.
Prapic
Characteristics and history : a typical village located at the foot of the Petit and Grand Pinier and Mourre Froid peaks, with cobbled lanes and stone houses. Placed under the protection of Sainte-Anne Church, it illustrates the harsh life of the Haut-Champsaur inhabitants, far from urban centers.
Vallées du Champsaur et de Valgaudemar
Characteristics : the area combines the gentle hedgerow landscapes of the Champsaur with the rugged terrain of the Valgaudemar. The Champoléon valley, crossed by the Drac Blanc river, provides access to numerous hikes within the national park, including itinerant routes linking Orcières, Champoléon, Valgaudemar, Freissinières and Vallouise.
