Brandes Archaeological Site

The highest medieval village in Europe (11st-14th century) linked to the exploitation of a silver mine.

Guided tour twice a week all summer. Meet at the sign, between the golf course and the tennis courts. This 2-hour visit can be completed by a visit to the Huez and Oisans museum, where major pieces from archaeological excavations that have taken place since 1977 are kept.


The exceptional archaeological site of Brandes includes the ruins of the old parish church of Saint-Nicolas, the fortification (or “shell keep”), the remains of the old miners' village and the neighborhood of the ore washing workshops (sulfide of silver lead).

It was the Lord of the Dauphiné, the Dauphin, who partly owned this mineral exploitation for making his money.
The Brandes site was operated from around 1180 to 1339. The community, open to the surrounding regions (evidenced by the coins found on the site from Vienna, Lyon, Provence, Burgundy, etc.) had around 200 individuals, women and children included.

The archaeological site has been classified as a "Historic Monument" since 1993. The Groupement d'Etude des Mines Anciennes (GEMA) visits events for the general public and promotes this unique ensemble scientifically. The cultural service also offers guided tours twice a week in summer.