Buissard lies on the sunny side of the Drac Valley. Its landscape stretches from the banks of the Drac across a dense network of paths and bocage to steeply sloping farmland. This offers different ways to explore the area: wildlife watching, walks, and the history of its churches and chapels.

Nature in the Bocage and along the Drac

The open farmland and bocage are home to almost 200 animal species and around 50 plant species. Both figures are approximate. Buissard is also one of the most biodiverse municipalities in the Champsaur region for birdlife. Nature here ranges from birds to plants and the other animal species found in these landscapes.

The riverside vegetation along the flowing waterways is also part of the area's natural character: it is a habitat of heritage interest that should be preserved. Interwoven with paths, hedgerows and canals, the bocage is well suited to walks focused on observing local flora and fauna. Visitors who want to make nature observation the focus of an outing will find a landscape well suited to it here.

Walks and Horseback Rides

Les balcons de Buissard is a circular hiking trail. The route description recommends that hikers stop at the Chapelle des Rissents. This makes it possible to combine a walk through the landscape with a cultural destination. The bocage also offers its own setting for walks, where paths, hedgerows and canals shape the surroundings and local flora and fauna take centre stage.

For travellers who want to explore on horseback, two routes of different lengths pass through Buissard. The moderately difficult Du Domaine à Gap Bayard stage is 29.1 kilometres long and takes five hours. Check route conditions before setting out. The ten-day Tour du Champsaur-Valgaudemar à cheval covers 172.7 kilometres and passes through Buissard, among other places; seasonal access may vary depending on the weather and trail conditions. These details show the difference between a single riding stage and a multi-day tour, without implying that Buissard is the starting or ending point of the longer route.

Churches and Chapels of Buissard

The Church of Saint-Barthélémy stands at the highest point of the village of Rissents, on a spur above the Drac Valley. The parish's history goes back at least to the 12th century; the present church building was constructed in 1848. The parish's long history and the construction date of the present church can thus be considered as two distinct points in time.

The Chapelle des Rissents is one of Buissard's most important historic heritage sites. Its recommended stop on the Les balcons de Buissard circular trail also makes it a specific point of interest for hikers. The Chapelle des Michauds has been restored. A practical workshop in traditional masonry and traditional floor treatment was held in Buissard in connection with this restoration. This adds a craft aspect of restoration to the churches and chapels to visit.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Julien-En-Champsaur, Ribeyret, La Motte-En-Champsaur, Le Poët, Orcières, Saint-Jean-Saint-Nicolas, Trescléoux, Ribiers

For the wider travel guide: Hautes-Alpes.