Puy-Saint-André, a village of character in Izoard

Puy-Saint-André village of character

Puy-Saint-André invites you to explore and contemplate its exceptional landscapes. You'll find tree trunks that are 300 million years old, lava intrusions in the coal and numerous fossils. And don't forget the Maison de la Géologie, where you can learn all about the formation of the Alps.

Puy-Saint-André's religious heritage, with its many chapels well worth a visit, including the Sainte Lucie chapel with its 16th-century mural paintings!

Puy-Saint-André also invites you to discover the Partias reserve, a treasure trove of biodiversity.

3 good reasons to come to Puy-Saint-André

T-rex Maison de la Géologie - Morattel S.

Geology House

Dive into the history of the mountain! The House of Geology and Geopark is a geological interpretation center, inaugurated in 2016. Through three distinct spaces, it presents the creation of the Alps and the geological wealth of the Cottian Alps geopark in an entertaining way.

Discover the geological sites

Sentier d'art Puy-saint-André- S.MORATTEL - été 2025 (6)

Puy-Saint-André art trail

An art trail featuring several works of art blending with nature. A place to discover with the whole family.

Puy-Saint-André art trail

The Partias Reserve

This small piece of land in the commune of Puy-Saint-André is a veritable refuge for Alpine flora and fauna. Listed as a regional nature reserve and a classified site in the Pelvoux Massif, the Partias nature reserve is a protected wilderness paradise that deserves respect.

Reserve des Partias

Puy-Saint-André Its history

Overlooking the right bank of the Durance, the name Puy is inked on four villages: Puy-Saint-Pierre, Puy Chalvin, Puy Richard and Puy-Saint-André.

The Romans left a trace of their arrival, with one of their roads passing through the Puys before reaching Prelles below. The name they gave to these heights is also a trace of their passage: "Universitas Podorum" meaning "all the Puys".

The area's geological history is also well marked, and it is through the relief and stones that we tell the story of the Combarine glacier, descending from the summit of the same name, and the lateral moraines where the first men built their structures. It's also the presence of neglected areas, proof of the past of a centuries-old agro-pastoral activity, difficult, not very fertile and with a very low yield.

Formerly called Puy-Brutinel, the village acquired municipal autonomy and changed its name in 1456. From the 15th century onwards , education took on an important role, with the arrival of schoolmasters to teach the village's children, but also to take on other responsibilities.

Puy Chalvin, Puy-Saint-André, automne 2025 - Laury Chamerlat (16)

The history of Puy-Saint-André and its inhabitants is shaped by the presence of coal mining operations such as the "Combarine mine", the largest mine in the Briançonnais region, and the difficulties that followed their closure. The tragic fire of 1927 destroyed a large part of the village and led to the migration of many inhabitants to the surrounding towns.

Find out more about the history of the village of Puy-Saint-André

Les combes - Puy St André - Hiver - ©S.MORATTEL (17)

Hameau des Combes

A place steeped in history and tradition, and marked by land disputes in the past, Les Combes has mainly been used as grazing land for cattle. Cottages or "forests" provided temporary shelter for shepherds and their livestock.

Chapelle Sainte-Lucie

La chapelle Sainte-Lucie date du XVIe siècle. Elle est remarquable pour ses fresques qui ornent sa façade ainsi que la voûte à l’intérieur

Puy Chalvin, Puy-Saint-André, automne 2025 - Laury Chamerlat (4)

Hamlet of Puy Chalvin

With its remarkably well-preserved traditional architecture, the hamlet of Puy Chalvin has a rich history. Historically an agricultural and pastoral center, the inhabitants took advantage of the pastures during the summer season.