La Bâtie-Vieille is a commune in the Hautes-Alpes in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, 7 km east of Gap.
With an area of 9 km², the territory of the locality is the medium mountain ranging from 798 to 1152 m altitude, formed trays through the valley of the Louye. Covered with 40% forest and agricultural land, the town is made up of a small village and hamlets, Le Grand Larra and Les Guérins and has about 370 inhabitants, taking advantage of the proximity of Gap.
Old bastide, which gave it its name, La Bâtie-Vieille is dominated by a watchtower of the twelfth century which is its main element of heritage and confers its singularity.
Crossing the south by an ancient pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela and the hamlet of Grand Larra, by a Roman road, La Bâtie-Vieille enjoys an environment conducive to hiking. A pleasant step during a stay in the region.
A major element of local heritage, the tower of La Bâtie-Vieille was part of a castrum (fortified city) dependent on the Bishop of Gap. We can still see the remains of the wall. This fortification included the seigniorial residence and the present presbytery. Dating back to the 12th century, the tower was 25m high and originally had two floors. The tower was intended to monitor the surroundings but also to protect the inhabitants who could take refuge there in case of troubles. The castrum devastated in 1517 by troops going to war in Italy, the tower was restored in the sixteenth century and more recently.
A discovery of the village whose houses are built of stone from the fortifications also allows to observe what was the manor house (a murderer is still visible) and an old house with traditional furnishings: the barn at the third level includes a " hole "shaped duct to feed the animals in fodder, the barn being located on the first level, and the housing of the peasants in the second.
A stone fountain built from an old washhouse and a former bread oven (still in use at local festivals) add to the charm of the village.
At the level of the hamlet of Grand Larra, was implanted in the Middle Ages a hospital with a chapel under the order of Saint Antoine de Viennois, intended to shelter and to care the travelers borrowing the old Roman road.
Only the chapel, rebuilt in the late eighteenth century, has been preserved. Note the vaulted interior of neo-Romanesque style. The building also houses a remarkable painting of St. Anthony, which has been restored.
Finally, on the hill of the Croix de Chavignières, there is an old necropolis that attests to a human presence on the town from the first millennium BC.
All these heritage elements, such as the Saint-Jacques path that borders the southern tip of the town (alpine part of the Villa Domitia that joins Arles, also known as the GR653D) and the cultivated or wooded plateaus can give rise to pleasant hikes. Some itineraries make it possible to reach Gap or, to the south-east, the lake of Serre-Ponçon. Documentation and information on +33 4 92 52 56 56.
On a cultural level, the village library regularly hosts exhibitions. Information on +33 4 92 51 49 73.
In March, carnival and parade of children.
In June, Scouting Day.
In July, festival of Larra Larra with entertainment greedy, fun and musical.
Located in the heart of the Hautes -Alpes, 8 km from Gap, 20 km from Lake Serre- Ponçon, 15 km from the ski slopes, opposite the Natural Park of the Ecrins. Ancelle 17 km, Chorley 14 km, 35 km Embrun. Nature and mountains there.
