Ornon sits just below the mountain pass of the same name (marking the natural boundary between Oisans and the Valbonnais), in a lovely site featuring a wide variety of scenery, from woods to the Taillefer plateau.
About : Ornon
A tapestry of crop fields and vegetable gardens surround these mountain hamlets, oozing charm and heritage. Visitors appreciate the tranquillity here, whilst benefiting from the close proximity to Bourg d'Oisans and the Oisans resorts.
Ornon is the main village in the Lignarre Valley, comprising a number of hamlets dotted along the banks of the river. It covers 2000 m of height gain, from the Lignarre river and Le Clot de Barme to the top of the Taillefer. In ancient times, the Col d'Ornon mountain pass was a very busy route, linking the Drac Valley to the Col du Lautaret and then Montgenèvre, avoiding the Lac Saint Laurent (now the Bourg d'Oisans plain) and the Romache gorges.
This prehistoric route, via Ornon, Venosc, Mont-de-Lans, Le Freney d'Oisans and La Grave, then became a Roman road. Roman tombs have been found dating back to the Late Roman Empire (3rd and 4th centuries BC).
The top of the mountain pass has a small ski resort for all levels and a cross country skiing area in the forest, both perfect for enjoying winter sports away from the crowds.
When the Mairie is closed, please contact the Bourg d'Oisans tourist office for more information.