Gaillard Canal from Briançon to Cité Vauban in Saint-Chaffrey

The walk starts at the top of the Cité Vauban cemetery. From the Route de Grenoble, take the Traverse Paul Caire and park in the car park on the right between the two cemeteries.

(S/E) Turn left at the top of Traverse Paul Caire and head along the Gaillard Canal (wooden chicane). Continue straight on along the canal. The banks are currently being renovated and the canal is either open to the air or buried in places.

After crossing a tarmac dead-end road (leading to private homes), carry on straight ahead past the chicanes. A few hundred metres further on, just before the Centre des Acacias, cross over the canal and walk up the small path for a few metres. Take the path on the left and continue behind the Acacias buildings.

(1) At the end of the path (bend), cross the road leading to the Montjoy Clinic and take the path opposite. Turn right, then immediately left, and follow the path between the old UGECAM buildings.

(2) Head down to the left onto the tarmac internal road until you reach the Route de Grenoble (up to the human-shaped stone sculpture).
Head up the internal road leading to the former Rhône Azur buildings (rocks on the ground prevent vehicle access).

(3) At the top of the road (concrete shelter), turn left into the woods onto a fairly steep path, and head down behind the Seltzer Foundation’s central kitchen building. Cross the road and continue along the canal opposite.

(4) When you reach the Seltzer Foundation, turn left onto the tarmac internal road, cross the bridge and turn right, heading back up the road. A few metres further up, turn left between the buildings and go through the tunnel beneath them. Continue along the forest track, then follow the tarmac road ‘Chemin des Mésanges’ to the church at Saint-Chaffrey.

(5) At the church, head up Rue de la Villette to the right, then cross a small footbridge on the left. Head down towards the garden below. On leaving the public garden, cross Rue de la Rua and walk alongside the Canal Gaillard once more.

(6) At the end of the path, turn back at Chemin des Neyzets in Saint-Chaffrey (tarmac road) and follow the path back the way you came to reach the cemetery at the top of the Cité Vauban (S/E).

Alternative route:
(3) Another option, avoiding the slope through the woods, is to follow the Route de Grenoble as far as the central kitchen, take the D232 for a few metres towards Chant’Ours, and rejoin the canal path on the left.

(6) Unfortunately, the canal path is no longer accessible (private property, fenced off)! It’s a shame, as the Gaillard Canal continues all the way to La Salle-les-Alpes.

Church, cemetery and Pont Levis in Saint-Chaffrey.