Huez: Discover Village History and Heritage
Accommodation in Huez
Huez is the original village of the Alpe d’Huez resort. Its history is reflected in buildings and historical records from various centuries. It is also home to the Brandes archaeological site and the Plateau de Roche Noire ZNIEFF area, which extends across the municipalities of Huez and Oz. When planning your visit, you can distinguish between village history, mining history and nature-related topics.
Village History in the Town Centre
The Church of Saint-Ferréol dates back to the 11th century and is mentioned as early as 1058. It is open daily throughout the year; since access arrangements may change, check before your visit. The Church of Sainte-Anne, by contrast, was built only at the end of the 19th century in the heart of the village. The two buildings therefore represent different periods in the village’s history.
In the centre of Huez, a fortified house known as the “Château” stands on a hill. The historic covered washhouses are also part of the village’s heritage: two date from 1733, and another from 1806. Together with the churches, they offer different ways to understand the village’s history, without dating all the buildings to the same period.
Brandes and the History of Silver Mining
From the 12th to the 14th century, Brandes was a village inhabited by silver miners. The archaeological site was listed as a “Monument historique” in 1993 and stretches for almost one kilometre. Its features include dwellings, religious and civic structures, and work areas where ore was crushed, ground and washed. Taken together, these elements help explain the site as evidence of a mining village: residential areas, community functions and ore processing can be distinguished here.
The “Argenteria de Brandis” exhibition at the Musée d’histoire et d’archéologie de l’Alpe d’Huez also explores the lives of miners and their families. Information panels, exhibits and models cover topics such as ore sorting and washing, crafts, religion and leisure. The exhibition adds insights into the daily lives of miners and their families to the topics described above. Since 17 September 2003, the museum has held the designation “Musée de France”.
During the summer season, guided tours of the archaeological site are offered to the public. Groups can visit by reservation. Check the current programme before your visit, especially if you are planning a group tour.
Trails Through the Village and Cultural Landscape
The “Parcours d’orientation patrimoine - Huez Village” heritage orienteering trail starts next to the Huez Express car park. It winds through the village lanes and introduces visitors to local heritage, the “d’Huizats” and the Sarenne gorges. For orientation, both the stated starting point and the route’s focus on the village are important. Check the access point before setting out; seasonal access may vary depending on conditions.
The “Visite du village d’Huez et des Moulins de Sarenne” walk takes a different approach, linking flower-decorated lanes with the remains of watermills. While the orienteering trail includes local heritage and the Sarenne gorges, the mill remains are among the stated destinations on this walk. The two options therefore differ in their described themes and stops.
Wetlands and Plant Life
The Plateau de Roche Noire ZNIEFF area includes around fifty peat bogs, marshes and small bodies of water. It has a rich variety of plant life and also supports a diverse amphibian fauna. A population of Arctic char lives in its waters. This natural area offers a different focus from the village trails and mining heritage: here, the emphasis is on wetlands and their flora and fauna.
For the broader travel overview: Isère.
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