- Stage city for the 28th time
- Prefecture of Hautes-Alpes (05)
- Population: 41,000 (Gapençais and Gapençaises)
The last few finishes in Gap have seen breakaways going the distance, as was the case with Matteo Trentin (2019), Rubén Plaza (2015), Rui Costa (2013) and Thor Hushovd (2011). Stages that have started there often headed for Digne and then Briançon, notably in 1953 when Louison Bobet took flight on the Col d’Izoard to claim the Yellow Jersey. More recently, there has been a series of Gap-Alpe d’Huez stages, the last of which, in 2013, featured a spectacular performance by Christophe Riblon. And in 2024, a Gap-Barcelonnette stage finally resulted in a Tour success for Belgian rider Victor Campenaerts.
GAP
Charance Castle and Estate
Construction: 10th to 19th century.
History: around the 10th century, a fortified castle was built on the estate. The Bishop of Gap purchased the estate in 1307. It remained the property of the bishops until the Revolution. In the 16th century, the fortified castle was transformed into a large residence by Bishop Gabriel de Sclaffanatis. It was not until 1644 that Bishop Artus de Lionne restored the estate, which had been ransacked during the Wars of Religion, and transformed it into a vast farming estate. Ruined under Louis XIV, the site was rebuilt by the bishops and, at the beginning of the 18th century, took on the layout we know today. During the Revolution, the château was sold as national property. In the 19th century, the upper part of the estate was converted into an English-style garden. Numerous waterfalls were created, the lake was enlarged, boat garages were built on its banks and paths were laid out in the undergrowth. In 1973, the municipality of Gap became the owner and opened it to the public.
Characteristics: nestled against the mountain overlooking Gap, the Charance estate stretches from 100 m to 1,903 m above sea level, offering exceptional panoramic views. Since 2004, the site has been home to the National Alpine Botanical Conservatory, which studies, protects and promotes Alpine flora to the public. Nature lovers can stroll around the lake, in the English garden and in the terraced garden, which has been awarded the "remarkable garden" label and features many different varieties of plants.
Listed as: Historic Monument in 1987.
Gap Cathedral
Construction: 1866 to 1904.
Style: Neo-Gothic.
Architect: Charles Laisné.
Characteristics: the church has a polychrome façade due to the use of different coloured stones. It is inspired by the neighbouring Embrun Cathedral and the Lombard style. The polychromy of the exterior walls comes from various white, grey and pink stones. The bell tower rises to 70 metres, making it the tallest building in the town of Gap.
History: On the initiative of the Bishop of Gap, it was built between 1866 and 1904 in the neo-Gothic style popular at the time, replacing an old medieval cathedral that was falling into ruin.
Trivia: the famous musical group Les Prêtres, originally from the diocese of Gap and Embrun, recorded the video for their album Spiritus Dei in the Gap Cathedral.
Listed as: historic monument since 1906.
Town Hall
Construction: 1743
Style: Classical.
History: The first town hall was built in 1400 on the site of the current Town Hall. The belfry overlooking the building was constructed in 1407. Destroyed by a fire started by the Duke of Savoy's troops in 1692, the building was rebuilt according to plans by the architect Lechat and completed in 1743, as indicated by the inscription in Roman numerals under the balcony. Listed as: the façade and interior staircase of the Town Hall were listed in the supplementary inventory of Historic Monuments in 1948.
Departmental museum
Opening: 1910
Characteristics: it houses collections of archaeology, fine arts, local history and ethnography, earthenware and natural history. In particular, there are remarkable sculptures from the Roman period, jewellery dating from the Bronze Age, a collection of carved furniture from the Queyras region and the mausoleum of the Duke of Lesdiguières.
History: in 1877, Robert Long, archivist of the Hautes-Alpes, created the Gap Archaeological Museum to display the remains of the cathedral. After his death, the collections were brought together in 1881 in the Merlin building, which soon became too small. New premises were needed. Work began in 1903 according to plans drawn up by the departmental architect Chaudier. It opened to the public in September 1910.
Notable feature: the black and white marble mausoleum of François de Bonne de Lesdiguières (1543-1626), which was created during his lifetime by the Lorraine sculptor Jacob Richier (1586-1640). This monument was initially erected in the family castle of Glaizil. During the Revolution, the Hautes-Alpes administration asked the heiress to the mausoleum, Mme de Veynes, to make it available to them. The mausoleum was then placed in Gap Cathedral. When the cathedral was demolished, the mausoleum was transferred to the General Council's meeting room. In 1912, the mausoleum was moved again, this time to the newly created departmental museum.
The Chapel of the Penitents
A place of worship that has become a concert hall renowned for its incredible acoustics, the Chapel of the Penitents has a special atmosphere... between history and modernity.
