Guided Tour of the Archaeological and Medieval Site of Brandes - European Heritage Days
Listed as a Historic Monument since 1993, the Brandes archaeological site offers a glimpse into the Middle Ages: between the 12th and 14th centuries, a community lived year-round on the Huez mountain pasture, on a mining plot.
Brandes was systematically excavated between 1977 and 2015; the foundations and substructures of a parish church, a village, and industrial areas (ore crushing and ore washing facilities) were studied and documented by archaeologists led by Marie-Christine Bailly-Maitre. Brandes had a year-round population of 150 to 200 people and belonged to the lord of the Dauphiné, the Dauphin. The finished product of the Brandes silver mine—that is, silver dust (after extraction, crushing, grinding, and washing), was transported by mule all the way to the Dauphin’s mint in Grenoble to be used in the production of his coins. A permanent exhibition at the Alpe d’Huez Museum of History and Archaeology showcases this mining operation. Flavien Perazza, President of the Groupe d’Etude des Mines Anciennes (GEMA) association, will accompany you during these two tours.
Practical information
Theme
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Landscape,
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Archeological,
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Architecture
Time schedule
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Saturday 19 September 2026 Wear hiking boots or sneakers; hiking poles may be helpful; 50-meter elevation gain; rocky terrain; tours canceled in case of rain.
from 16h00 to 17h30
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Sunday 20 September 2026 Wear hiking boots or sneakers; hiking poles may be helpful. 50 meters of elevation gain; rocky terrain. Tours are canceled in case of rain.
from 14h30 to 16h00
Prices
Free access.
Go there
Latitude : 45.087392
Longitude : 6.079667
Ile aux loisirs
38750 Alpe d'Huez
Go there
Devant le chalet du golf (à l'Est du quartier des Bergers), à 16h, après le pont chemin Font Morelle
Parking situé à proximité du chalet du Golf, avant le pont ; possibilité de venir en bus (ligne T76 bus OURA ; se renseigner sur le site @ OURA) ; visites annulées si pluie
Information updated on 10/09/2026
by Direction de la Culture et du Patrimoine de l'Isère
