Producers & Artisans in Serre-Ponçon
Between the deep blue of the lake, the generous light of the Southern Alps, and peaks that reach nearly 3000 meters, Serre-Ponçon is a region to be savored as much as admired. Here, producers, farmers, and artisans work in harmony with the seasons, crafting distinctive products… and taking the time to share their stories.
Push open the door of a farm, a honey house or an artisan's workshop, stroll through the markets, taste an alpine cheese or a local beer facing the lake: you leave with much more than a souvenir, with a piece of Serre-Ponçon in your luggage.
A terroir like no other
What makes Serre-Ponçon unique compared to other mountain areas:
- A large alpine lake which softens the climate, inspires producers and offers an exceptional setting for farms, vineyards, apiaries and breweries.
- Strong contrasts orchards and meadows at the bottom of the valley, alpine pastures on the heights, glacial torrents, sunny slopes where high-altitude vineyards and innovative crops such as spirulina are established.
- A culture of short supply chains : farm sales, farmers' markets, local shops, restaurants committed to "local" products.
- A territory on a human scale : here, you can really meet those who produce, ask questions, visit, taste, exchange.
In Serre-Ponçon, every product tells a story of landscape, light, and encounters. On this page, discover the producers and artisans of Serre-Ponçon, their local products, and their expertise.
Serre-Ponçon snack: our local products
Here, the local produce is written in capital letters: mountain honeys, farm cheeses, stream trout, mill flours, craft beers, génépi, high-alpine specialties…
All these products tell the story of the encounter between a very sunny climate, a generous wild flora and the know-how of passionate women and men.
Honey, “the gold of our mountains”
On the slopes overlooking the lake, abundant flora feeds the bees from spring to autumn. Beekeepers harvest mountain honeys with floral, woody, or more robust aromas, depending on the season and the location of the hives.
Whether eaten by the spoonful, on a slice of bread, in a farmhouse yogurt or in an herbal tea after a hike, Serre-Ponçon honey is a ray of sunshine from the high Alps in a jar.
Alpine cheeses & exceptional milk
Around the lake and on the hills, cows, goats and sheep graze facing the peaks. Their milk gives rise to a beautiful diversity of farm cheeses: tommes, crottins, fresh cheeses, faisselles, bleus…
Whether shared on a platter at the end of the day, in a hiking sandwich or at a restaurant, these cheeses tell the story of life in the alpine pastures, the patience of the farmers and the strength of the mountain climate.
Torrent trout
In Châteauroux-les-Alpes, mountain trout raised in the clear water of the streams or at the Pisciculture des Ecrins has become a true signature of the territory.
Fresh fillets, artisanally smoked trout, rillettes and homemade preparations: a way to enjoy a local, light and tasty fish, in the heart of the Alps.
Spirulina from Serre-Ponçon
Under the generous sun of the Southern Alps, spirulina has found an unexpected home. This microalga, with its remarkable nutritional properties, benefits both athletes seeking peak performance and visitors looking for natural wellness. Produced locally and sold through short supply chains, it exemplifies the innovative and surprising side of the region.
Flours and spring water
- Flours from the Céard Mill The last family mill in the Hautes-Alpes, in Embrun, it perpetuates a history that began in 1551 and produces characterful flours for breads, pastries and pizzas.
- La Roche des Écrins spring water The Moulettes spring, which flows into Lake Serre-Ponçon at the Baie des Moulettes (another name for the Baie de Chanteloube), is tapped and bottled under the name "La Roche des Ecrins" at the Chorges bottling plant. This pure water, sourced at an altitude of 1150m, quenches the thirst of locals and tourists throughout France.
High-altitude beers & wines
- Craft beers Many craft beers have emerged in recent years, particularly in Chorges thanks to the Serre-Ponçon Craft Brewery, but also in some villages in the area. Find them at all the best spots!
- High-altitude wines : on sun-drenched hillsides, mountain vineyards are taking up the challenge of producing fresh, distinctive wines with very high-alpine accents.
High Alpine specialties: the 100% comfort food plate
Country recipes, born in the valleys and alpine pastures: a generous and authentic cuisine, always comforting, from the first crispy tourton to the last sweet bite.
- Tourtons : these small golden cushions, once served for Christmas, are now available in savory (potato, goat cheese, meat, spinach, reblochon cheese…) or sweet (apple, prune, raspberry, chocolate-hazelnut).
- Champsaur ravioli : small dumplings of dough made from potato and fresh tomme cheese, fried and then served as an appetizer with honey or jam, or au gratin as a main course.
- Donkey ears : Wild spinach gratin, thin pastry, béchamel and cheese, a typical dish that intrigues with its name and seduces with its melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Country pies : generous shortcrust pastry, raspberry, blueberry, apricot or prune jam, golden lattice… The perfect travel cake, easy to bring back and share.
- Genepi: An iconic plant of the Alps, growing at very high altitudes. Traditionally, it is macerated in alcohol and sugar to obtain a liqueur with herbaceous notes. Please note: this plant is protected in the Hautes-Alpes region, and harvesting is regulated (100 sprigs per person). Also discover it in the kitchen: as an aperitif, in terrines, jams, chocolates, candies… and in restaurants as a fragrant touch or in digestifs.
Meet the local producers of Serre-Ponçon
Do you want to taste these products directly from the source?
Beehives, alpine pastures, processing workshops, high-altitude vineyards, fish farms… the region can also be explored behind the scenes. Producers open their doors for tastings, guided tours, workshops, and direct sales.
Our favorite profiles: meeting the producers
To give a face to this region, we went to meet those who bring it to life.
Through these heartfelt portraits, discover how their personal stories intertwine with those of Serre-Ponçon, the lake and the peaks.
Craftsmen & know-how : the featured materials
Serre-Ponçon is not just a territory that can be eaten: it is also a territory that can be made.
In the villages around the lake, artisans work with wood, ceramics, leather, metal, fabric, plants… to create unique pieces:
- bowls, cups and ceramics inspired by the colours of the lake;
- turned wooden objects sourced from the surrounding forests;
- jewelry, knives, leather goods made in small series;
- Natural soaps and cosmetics made from mountain plants.
Stepping into a workshop is often an opportunity to talk with the craftsman, to understand the technique, the materials, and to leave with an object that has a story.
Meet our artisans in Serre-Ponçon
Would you like to explore these workshops more closely, see the creations and perhaps attend a demonstration?
Find below the artisans and creators of Serre-Ponçon: workshops and boutiques, artisan collectives, soap makers, ceramists, wood turners, textile designers…
The markets of Serre-Ponçon: a showcase of local produce
To bring together farm products, high-alpine specialties and local crafts in one place, nothing beats the atmosphere of markets.
Depending on the season, you will be able to:
- strolling among the colorful stalls,
- sample honeys, cheeses, tourtons (a type of savory pie), country tarts, local beers, seasonal fruits and vegetables,
- discover local creators,
- fill your basket before a picnic by the lake.
Local shops to buy local products and artisan creations; restaurants to enjoy them on site: in Serre-Ponçon, taste and gesture are discovered as much as they are shared.
