Preserving the Charm: The Development of Prapic as an Exemplary Mountain Hamlet

Prapic, the mountain hamlet par excellence

“Prapic is an emblematic hamlet of Orcières which has kept all the characteristics of a mountain village in an exceptional environment. It is a good summary of the landscapes of our valleys, in terms of built heritage, public spaces, agricultural activities and the harmony between all that. It is also a popular tourist destination.

Reconciling attendance and landscape integration

The municipality’s thoughts on the development of the village began in the early 1980s. The aim was to be able to accommodate the flow of visitors without making the village lose its soul. The first measure was to regulate access to cars to avoid their omnipresence in the village. Then from 1992 to 1995, a car park with 150 spaces was built upstream of the hamlet, inserting itself into the vegetation. We did this very carefully, because the goal was that from the mountain, we could not see the parked cars.

Develop in accordance with traditions and uses

The significant achievements in the hamlet came after an architectural and landscape study paid for by the National Park to identify important elements of the village. A first phase of work allowed the telephone and electrical networks to be buried and the sanitation and drinking water networks to be repaired. Then we worked on the development of public spaces from 1997, in concert with the Park. We started from the landscape and architectural study to inspire us. Because there was an important issue in these developments: to restore while maintaining compatibility with the contemporary functioning of a village where there are tractors circulating, people living, streets that must be cleared of snow…

^{Some typical architectural elements: on the left, larch cladding, on the right, willow weaving.}

Long-term work

Among the work that was done at that time, there was the paving of the streets, work on traffic in the village, the creation of toilets, the enhancement of certain heritage elements and the creation of a point shared reception with the Écrins National Park. This is long-term work, since in 2022, we created a new reception point and we continued to develop the village square.

^{Some work between 1994 and 1999: paving of the streets, enhancement of the fountain.}

^{The new seasonal reception point}

A good balance found

For me, the developments in Prapic are a success because we welcome a lot of people and economic activity has strengthened, with two inns, a point of sale for local products, a campsite and a museum. Even if there are sometimes some conflicts of use, we have found the right balance between tourist activities, respect for agricultural life and preservation of the place. This is an element of satisfaction for me! »