Jarjayes: Holiday Apartments and Holiday Homes

On 8 November 2025, the opening to the public of the monumental staircase at the Château de Jarjayes was inaugurated.

Those choosing Jarjayes as a destination may wish to rent a holiday apartment for their stay.

Culture and History

The modern Saint-Thomas-Saint-Restitut Church stands in today’s village centre; it was built between 1872 and 1874. It has two bells, both cast in 1874. The parish church of Saint-Thomas-Saint-Restitut is maintained by the Association 3 Châteaux.

In the former village, the parish church of Saint-Thomas-Saint-Restitut was built in the 12th century, damaged in 1588 during the Wars of Religion, and rebuilt in the 17th century. Today’s Saint-Pierre Chapel was built in 1860 from the stones of the former church to preserve its memory, and serves as a burial place for the Ventavon family.

The Pierre du Costel is also one of Jarjayes’ historical traces. The stone once stood at the entrance to Jarjayes’ grain market, at the place where the dues were paid. The Pierre du Costel, also known as Pierre chaude, is a green stone that was smoothed by the touch of hands and was believed to possess special powers.

The Château de Jarjayes was built of stone after the destruction of the former castle at the beginning of the 17th century. It was inhabited by Francis Auguste Reynier, who was known as the Chevalier de Jarjayes. The château’s surviving features include the central staircase with its wrought-iron railing, the vaulted rooms and an old chapel bearing the Chevalier’s coat of arms. The coat of arms depicts a crowned lion’s head and a snake biting its own tail.

On the Trois-Châteaux site, the old church has been partially restored and secured; it can once again welcome visitors, walkers and enthusiasts of historic buildings.

Landscape and Trails

Jarjayes overlooks the Durance Valley. The Col de la Sentinelle is the access road leading from Gap to Jarjayes and is particularly popular with cyclists in good weather.

The Circuit des Bournas passes through meadows between Jarjayes and Les Bournas, through dense forests and to numerous viewpoints overlooking the Gapençais basin.

More Experiences

La Ferme du Col raises Angora goats and ostriches. The owners offer a 1.5-hour guided discovery tour led by them, covering ostrich and Angora goat farming as well as the production of flour and beer. There are also educational and fun visits featuring animal feeding, bottle-feeding young animals and petting areas.

Other destinations: Chabottes, Ribiers, Chorges, Saint-Julien-En-Champsaur, La Chapelle-En-Valgaudémar, Névache, Réallon, Laye.

To the main travel overview: Hautes-Alpes.