La Durance
More than a river, the Durance is a force of nature. Taking its source at an altitude of 2,300 meters, in Montgenèvre, it then unwinds its waves for 302 kilometers to finally flow into the Rhône. Controlled by man over the years, in particular by the construction of the Serre-Ponçon dam, it is today the vital artery of the entire department.
Sports
Kayak
Stand Up Paddle
How to get there?
By car, two-wheeled vehicle or truck, you can park on the parking lot of the lake located between the Durance river and the municipal swimming pool of Embrun. Then you just have to go up the river by passing in front of the bumps of the mountain bike Dirt and under the bridge of the national. Stop at the wave of La Clapière to see the Kayak Freestyle or go up to the new bridge for the start of the S.U.P River.
The activities of the Durance
The Durance is reputed to be the most important river in Provence. You will be able to discover it with family or friends through half-day or full-day canoe trips. You can also practice kayaking, rafting, canyoning, climbing, mountain hiking and via ferrata.
Rafting
Come and enjoy the joys of white water! With friends or family, embark up to 10 people in a “raft” for a maximum of sensations!
Hydrospeed
Become one with your board to discover extreme whitewater sensations!
Canoë - Kayak
Paddle down the river in a canoe at your own pace, alternating calm passages with faster ones for a fun water ride.
La Durance - history
A busy past
The Durance was the fastest means of transport to deliver wood throughout the valley but also the most dangerous. Carried out by the “Radeliers” this job was physically and mentally extreme. Today the association “Les Radeliers de la Durance” is committed to the historical rehabilitation of this trade.
Today
Following numerous floods between 1843 and 1856, the idea of a dam emerged, but was not realized until 1961, in Serre-Ponçon. Currently the second largest artificial lake in Europe, the lake of Serre-Ponçon created by the dam and the affluence of the surrounding rivers has become one of the most attractive places in the Hautes-Alpes with the Durance as its gateway.
