Mairie déléguée des Costes

Mairie déléguée des Costes, in Aubessagne, is the former town hall of the small village of Les Costes, which lost its status as an independent commune on January 1, 2018, when it merged with two neighbors to create the new municipality of Aubessagne in the Hautes-Alpes department. The building still stands at the heart of the Champsaur valley, one of the quieter but strikingly scenic corners of the Southern French Alps.

Where is Les Costes, and what is Aubessagne?

Les Costes covers 8.8 square kilometers and borders the communes of La Motte-en-Champsaur, Saint-Jacques-en-Valgodemard and Saint-Firmin. It sits roughly 8 km northwest of Saint-Bonnet-en-Champsaur, the valley's main town. In 2018, Les Costes merged with the neighboring communes of Chauffayer and Saint-Eusèbe-en-Champsaur to form a single new municipality, Aubessagne, which counted 731 residents at the time of its creation. The old town hall in Les Costes kept a delegated status — it still handles administrative matters at the former village level, even though decision-making now sits with Aubessagne's council.

The Champsaur valley itself stretches between the Dévoluy massif and Ecrins National Park, roughly 100 km south of Grenoble and 200 km north of Marseille. Generous sunshine and heavy winter snowfall make it a destination that works equally well in summer and during ski season.

What is the history behind the village?

Written records mention Les Costes as far back as 1500, under the Occitan name Las Còstas, and the village appears again in 1508 in the tithe rolls of the Diocese of Gap. That kind of documentary trail points to centuries of continuous settlement in this small Alpine community — a pattern shared across the Champsaur, where mountain farming and sheep herding shaped the landscape for generations. The 2018 merger changed the administrative map, but it didn't erase Les Costes as a place name; locals and visitors alike still use it as a geographic and touristic reference point.

What is there to see and do nearby?

Between the Champsaur and neighboring Valgaudemar valleys, hikers have more than 300 km of marked trails to choose from, with about 60 routes running through Champsaur itself. Ecrins National Park, accessible almost from the doorstep, protects a rich range of high-mountain plant and animal species. A favorite short outing is the walk to Lake Barbeyroux, an easy 4.6-km round trip suitable even for casual walkers. Those looking for something longer can head to the lakes around Orcières, covering about 10 km with modest elevation gain.

In winter, the region turns into a base for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, with the wild Champoléon valley particularly well suited to both — offering flat, easy routes alongside more physically demanding options. Six ski resorts operate in the wider Champsaur-Valgaudemar area, right at the edge of the national park.

How do you get there, and when is the best time to visit?

Saint-Bonnet-en-Champsaur makes the best starting point, with local roads reaching Les Costes in a matter of minutes. The valley is reasonably placed for travelers coming from either Grenoble or Marseille. Summer favors hiking and lake visits, while winter is the season for cross-country skiing and snowshoe outings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Les Costes still its own commune? No. Since January 1, 2018, Les Costes has been part of the merged commune of Aubessagne, formed from three former villages. Its old town hall now operates as a delegated mairie.

How many people live in Les Costes? The last count before the merger recorded 181 residents across the village's 8.8 square kilometers.

How close is Ecrins National Park? The park's boundary lies right next to the Champsaur valley, making short hikes into it possible without a long drive.

What natural sites are closest to visit? Lake Barbeyroux is the easiest option, at 4.6 km round trip, while the Orcières lakes suit visitors after a longer, roughly 10-km outing.