Hotels in Embrun

Embrun Hotels

Embrun is a small and quiet town set in the peaceful, rolling hills of the Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur region in southeastern France. This historic town perches on a rocky, tree-stippled hill-top plateau, overlooking the shimmering blue waters of the Serre-Poncon Lake below. Nature-lovers can explore the lake and the nearby Ecrins National Park. Central Embrun, meanwhile, sings with historic landmarks, quaint cafés, and buzzing markets.

Things to see

Start your sun-kissed Embrun morning by getting to grips with the town’s history and heritage. Standing tall in the town centre, you’ll find the Embrun Cathedral, a national monument of France. This gorgeous Roman Catholic sanctuary dates back to the 12th century. Gaze at its Romanesque facade - decorated with crouching lions - and its sharp-pointed steeple. Inside, you’ll discover a Baroque altar of rich-coloured marble, and delicate old-world frescos. As the relaxed Embrun afternoon rolls around, pay a visit to the golden banks of the Serre-Poncon Lake, just 2 kilometres from the centre. The fresh blue waters of this huge artificial lake make for a rejuvenating swim, but there’s kayaking, canoeing, and jet skiing opportunities too. But serious outdoorsy types won’t want to pass up a trip to the Ecrins National Park, 30 kilometres north of Embrun. Hikers, climbers, and Sunday drivers alike can enjoy the soaring peaks, flower-covered meadows, and deep green forestry of this immense parkland.

Hotels in Embrun

There’s a selection of affordable 2 and 3-star hotels in Embrun, meaning that you can enjoy this tranquil haven without having to break the bank. The cheap 2-star hotels are ideal for travellers and outdoor adventurers looking for a cosy, comfortable, and easy-going place to bed down. The simple, elegant, and spacious guest rooms come with free WiFi, and the friendly multilingual staff offer ticket and tour assistant - as well as info on favourite local bars and restaurants. The 3-star hotels in Embrun are slightly more upscale, boasting fine in-house restaurants, ritzy bars, and refreshing indoor pools. Gîte Les Dormillouses, Hôtel La Robéyère and Hôtel Le Lac are the top 3 hotels in Embrun.

Where to stay

Stay in central Embrun and get a true taste of this quaint town’s rustic charms. Spend mornings at the bustling outdoor markets, where the sounds of bartering bargain-hunters echo through the winding cobbled streets. Buy fresh baguettes from the bakeries, dine in regional-cuisine restaurants, and unwind in the welcoming bars. If you want quick access to the glistening lake waters, stay south of the centre. There are plenty of campsites around this area too, ideal for nature-enthusiasts who want to sleep beneath the silver stars. If you’re heading to Ecrins National Park, split your time between campsites north of Embrun and the town centre.

How to get to Embrun

There’s a couple of options when travelling to Embrun. Either catch a flight to Grenoble-Isére Airport, based 170 kilometres north, or to Marseille-Provence Airport, based 200 kilometres south. Grenoble-Isére serves seasonal flights from top European destinations like London, Dublin, and Barcelona, while Marseille-Provence serves year-round flights from many more destinations. The drive from either airport will take upwards of 2 hours. There’s also train travel from both airports, and bus travel from Marseille-Provence. In Embrun, the town itself is definitely best explored on foot, but a car can be handy for exploring nearby areas.