Lac de l'Orceyrette

Lac de l'Orceyrette is a mountain lake sitting at 1,927 metres above sea level in the commune of Villar-Saint-Pancrace, in the Briançonnais area of the Hautes-Alpes, a short distance from Briançon. It lies inside the Bois des Ayes nature reserve, established in 1991, surrounded by old-growth larch and Swiss stone pine, with the summit of Pic de Peyre Eyraute (2,903 m) rising above the far shore. It ranks among the most visited lakes in this corner of the French Alps, drawing hikers and anglers alike.

Where exactly is the lake?

The lake sits in the mountains south of Briançon, fed by the Torrent des Ayes and, closer to the lake itself, the Torrent de l'Orceyrette. It covers roughly 4 hectares and began as a natural glacial lake. Since the 1950s its water level has been controlled by a small dam fitted with a sluice gate, which lets managers adjust the volume held back depending on the season.

How do you get there?

Most visitors start from Villar-Saint-Pancrace, following a forest road towards the hamlet of Les Ayes. The walking route passes the Chalets des Ayes (1,715 m) and continues to Plan Peyron (1,860 m), from where the lake is close by. The GR5 long-distance trail also runs through the area. The path opens across pastureland before entering the Bois des Ayes forest, passing a waterfall along the way. It's an easy, family-friendly outing, though the round trip still takes a few hours on foot.

What is there to see around the lake?

The shoreline is lined with larch woodland mixed with mature Swiss stone pines (pinus cembra); in autumn the larches turn a warm orange that stands out against the pines' dark green, making that season particularly photogenic. The water holds brown trout, rainbow trout and char, and the lake is classed as a first-category fishing water, popular with anglers throughout the season. The surrounding forest also shelters bird species typical of the high Alps, including the Eurasian pygmy owl, Tengmalm's owl and the capercaillie. The setting has been used more than once as a filming location, including for the French television series "Alex Hugo" and the 2015 film "Marseille."

When is the best time to visit?

The trail is generally open from March through October. In summer the access road can be driven for part of the way, which brings noticeably more visitors to the shore — many people instead recommend spring or autumn, when the surroundings are quieter and, in autumn, the larch colour is at its best. In winter the area around the lake can still be reached on snowshoes or ski touring gear, though that requires more experience and proper equipment.

Frequently asked questions

How high up is Lac de l'Orceyrette? The lake sits at 1,927 metres above sea level.

Which commune is it part of? It belongs administratively to Villar-Saint-Pancrace, in the Hautes-Alpes department.

Can you drive there? Only partway — a forest road reaches the area near the Chalets des Ayes, and the final stretch to the lake has to be walked.

Can you fish in the lake? Yes, it's a first-category fishing water stocked with brown trout, rainbow trout and char.

Is the walk suitable for children? Yes, it's considered an easy, family-friendly hike, though the round trip takes a few hours, so plan accordingly.