Brandes Archaeological Site

Description

Medieval archaeological site classified as Historic Monuments (since 1993). Village of silver miners, from the 12th to the 14th centuries. Free access with explanatory panels. Guided tours organized by the Cultural Service of the municipality of Huez.

This is Europe's highest permanent medieval village (altitude 1800 m.) dating from the 11th-14th centuries. This occupation is linked to the exploitation of a silver mine. The exceptional archaeological site of Brandes includes the ruins of the former parish church of Saint-Nicolas, the fortification (or "shell keep") of the Dauphin's representative, the remains of the miners' village with its dwellings, and the area of the ore washing workshops (silver-lead sulfide). The lord of the Dauphiné owned part of this mining operation, which he used to make his own silver coins. The Brandes mines were exploited from the 11th century until their closure for technical reasons in 1339. The village community, open to the surrounding regions (as evidenced by coins found on the site from Vienne, Lyon, Provence, Burgundy etc.), numbered around 200 individuals, including women and children. The archaeological site has been listed as a Monument Historique since 1993. The Groupement d'Etude des Mines Anciennes (GEMA) scientifically promotes this unique site.
Huez town council's cultural department offers guided tours twice a week during the summer. Meet at the signpost between the golf course and the tennis courts (Bergers district). This 1h30 tour can be complemented by a visit to the Musée d'Huez et de l'Oisans (Palais des Sports, 70 avenue de Brandes), where major artefacts (mining tools, coins, handicrafts, lighters, cutlery, belt buckles, chess pieces, etc.) from archaeological excavations are kept. These have been taking place regularly since 1977.
The archaeological site also features educational panels to help visitors better understand the medieval layout of the mine "carreau" and the main activity that took place there, that of extracting silver ore from beneath the mountain. Climb up the Saint-Nicolas rock face to the Dauphin fortress for an exceptional 360° view of the Brandes plateau, the village of Huez and the Sarenne gorges. To the east of the archaeological site, you'll discover a rich natural environment, a wetland towards the Col de Sarenne. After the Brandes archaeological site, visit the Alpe d'Huez Museum of History and Archaeology (AgorAlp - 1st floor, 70 avenue de Brandes).