Editing Gap (section)

===<FONT COLOR="#990000">'''THE CS TRAVEL GUIDE'''</FONT>===

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====<FONT COLOR="#0033CC">'''Gap History '''</FONT>====
[[File:Blason_gap.jpg|thumb|100px|right|]]
Originally founded by the Gauls, the Roman emperor Augustus seized the town in 14 BC and renamed it Vapincum. It was originally a defensive place located on the « via cottia per alpem », who was a Roman road connecting Torino to the Rhône Valley.

As with most of the cities of Provence, fortifications were built around Gap during the Vth century. The aim of these fortifications was to protect the city from the barbarians who were at this time, invading the Roman Empire.

During the XIVth century, the city took advantage of the Pope's installation in Avignon. More travellers began to cross the Italian border and the Gap valley to join the Compostelle path, so they use to stop in the city.
Thanks to its strategical location, Gap was a crossing road and as a consequence, wool and skin handicraft was developed at this time. 
4 big annual fairs used to happen in Gap during this period

The city was annexed by the French crown in 1512 and then, the following two centuries were particularly dark periods. The religion wars were really bloody in this area and in 1692, The Duc de Savoie troupes invaded the city, abandoned beforehand by its inhabitants. Gap was looted and burned and 798 houses of the city were destroyed during the invasion (there were only 953 housses at this time…)

Thanks to Colbert and the Ladoucette Baron the city was developed during the XIX century. During this period, the main roads were built, joining Marseille and Grenoble which favorised external and commercial exchanges.

Napoleon I left Elba in February of 1815 and had reached Gap on March 15 with 40 horsemen and 10 grenadiers where he had thousands of copies of his Proclamations printed. The whole population of the city accompanied Napoleon when he left Gap and this is maybe the most important event that happened in the city…. !

The arrival of the train in 1875 marked the entry of Gap into the modern area and during the XX century, the city became the most important one in the southern Alps. 
[[File:vallon_pierre.jpg|thumb|400px|center|]]
Nowadays, due to the excellent geographical situation and well preserved natural areas, Gap proposes a high quality touristic offer. Despite the lack of industry, Gap is the economic lung of the Southern Alps and it and the surrounding area are visited by thousand tourists throughout the year.

====<FONT COLOR="#0033CC">''' What to visit in the city ? '''</FONT>====

[[File:Gap_place.jpg|thumb|175px|left|]]
Gap is a really lovely and quiet town where you can find all the conveniences you need. It’s really nice to have a walk around its pedestrian center or to have a coffee in one of the bars of the Jean Marcellin’s square.

-<FONT COLOR="#990000">''' The national botanical alpine conservatory'''</FONT> with its castle, lake and 220 hectares of preserved nature… (reachable from the center with a free bus) 

- <FONT COLOR="#990000">''' The Neogothique Cathédral'''</FONT> built between 1866 and 1904

- <FONT COLOR="#990000">'''The Departmental museum '''</FONT>

- <FONT COLOR="#990000">'''Many hiking itineraries '''</FONT>in the surrounding mountains.

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====<FONT COLOR="#0033CC">''' What to visit in the area ? '''</FONT>====

The Hautes Alpes department is a rich and preserved mountain area where you can find absolutely awesome places to hike or practise any kind of outdoor activity. There are plenty of campgrounds in the little villages around so you’ll always find a place to stay if none of the Gap CSers are able to offer you a couch to stay.
[[File:ceuse.jpg|thumb|200px|right|]]
- <FONT COLOR="#990000">'''The Serre Ponçon lake and its dam '''</FONT> 

It is the biggest artificial water reserve in Europe. You can kite surf, sail or swim there during the summer. 
 
- <FONT COLOR="#990000">'''The Ecrin national park '''</FONT>
It’s a high mountain natural reserve who's aim is to dynamically conserve the natural and mineral biodiversity and to create and fix a durable development working with the 61 municipalities belonging to the park.
In the park you can find plenty of hiking paths, 17 hectares of Glaciers, 100 summits higher than 3000 meters and a lot of mountain refuges if you want to hike during several days.
The highest top is « La barre des Ecrins » culminating at 4102 meters

- <FONT COLOR="#990000">''' The Queyras natural regional park'''</FONT>

The goal of this 650 km2 protected area is to develop the valley's economy, working at the same time with a total respect for the ecology and mountain traditions.
There are many hiking paths, outdoor activities to practise and a lot of mountain villages to visit.
The most known and awesome one is St Véran, the highest European municipality (2040 meters high)

- <FONT COLOR="#990000">''' UNSESCO classified Vauban’s fortifications '''</FONT>

Mont Dauphin with its awesome fortifications on a rock, around 70 km away from Gap.
Briançon, is an alpine town with a famous skiing resort (Serre Chevalier) and massive Vauban fortifications.[[File:ceuse_2007.jpg|thumb|150px|left|]]


- <FONT COLOR="#990000">'''Climbing Spots '''</FONT>

The Ceuse cliff is known worldwide for its 9a+ « Biographie » lane (one of the most difficult in the world) equiped in the 90’s by the famous alpinist Jean Christophe Lafaille. 
Ceuse is known as one of the best French spots where hundreds of climbers come each year from all around the world to struggle with its exceptional rock…
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Many other little cliffs or climbing spots are scaterred all around the departement. Plenty of them are equiped for beginners and easily approachable for children as well. (Savournon, La Roche des Arnauds, Sigottier, St Crépin, Les Vigneaux, Aile froide, L’argentière, Clarée, Ventavon, Dévoluy, Champsaur….)

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