Ceüse
The goddess of the cliffs, majestic and mythical!
"This is Céüse, the winner of Miss Limestone's election, with her finely chiselled tiara and her perfect and pure lines, she is, in all simplicity, the queen of the cliffs, it has invented everything, it has everything. Gray slabs divinely carved, ocher tones studded with holes, inimitable bluish walls where one loses the sense of verticality ... All spread over a sublime limestone ribbon and compact 4 km long, in a frame beautiful overlooking the Oisans and other mountains in the area. " (Source: grimper.com)
This massif takes on its full dimension at the foot of the village of Sigoyer. While in 1890, ravines and scree were the only landscape of the massif, a very beautiful 1900-hectare national forest, entirely inhabited by man, now offers a green landscape. A majestic rocky cliff, world famous among climbers, rises in a semi-circle around the forest, revealing on the other side a vast plateau of meadows.
Here is one of the most difficult routes in the world: "Biography". Extreme way and very difficult. It is the first 9a+ in history, equipped and baptized by Jean-Christophe Lafaille.
Céüse is also classified in Natura 2000 zone.
Discover the ideas of hiking, climbing or via ferrata in Céüse.
Climbing in Céüse
Not far from the high level and from what made its legend, the cliff of Céüse puts its rock within the reach of all.
The first climbing sectors were equipped in the 80's in the Dalles à Gogo and Dalles du CAPEPS sectors at a time when the high level was far from 9 and close to 6. All these sectors are now re-equipped and allow everyone to enjoy La Falaise with 50 pitches between 5c and 6b, very well equipped. The Lumineuse sector with routes in 4 and 5 on the real rock of Céüse, the one that made its legend.
Céüse is also appreciated for the 360° view it offers on the territory giving it a unique atmosphere. Its shape in the form of an arc of a circle gives it an East, South and West orientation. By changing orientation, one changes sector and atmosphere, almost cliff.
Its one hour approach walk, even if it is constraining, is totally part of its charm.
From 4 to 9b, it allows everyone to follow in the footsteps of famous climbers such as Jean-Christophe Lafaille, Stéphanie Bodet or Patrick Edlinger in their time.
It is also here that you will find one of the most difficult routes in the world: "Biographie". An extreme and very difficult route. It is the first 9a+ in history, equipped and named by Jean-Christophe Lafaille.
Since 2020, the Bibliography saga, rated 9c by Mégos and then reduced to 9b+ by Ghisolfi, attracts the top climbers (Seb Bouin, Dave Graham, Sean Bailey...) highlighting the extreme side of the cliff.
→ Get the climbing guidebook of the cliff on sale in our Tourist Offices (26 €). Bilingual book French / English.
Céüse is also a via ferrata of 40 m height (1 way for the ascent and 1 way for the descent), accessible to young and old, which will allow you to reach the plateau. Access to the departure from the parking of the house of Céüze: 1h15 (signposting and blue points).
Often called "The Cliff", Céüse is simply a world reference.
La maison de Céüze
Since spring 2021 the Maison de Céüze has opened its doors at the Col des Guérins.
Its purpose is to offer information and activities to both tourists and inhabitants of the region. It is also there to federate the actors of the mountain and to make discover through various activities the potential of Céüse.
It is equipped with a climbing wall to initiate children. Showers, toilets and washing-up facilities are available. Eventually, there should be equipment rental.
Night parking from 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. is available for a fee from May 15 to September 15.
Camping sites are being developed.
Maison de Céüze, Col des Guérins - 05130 Sigoyer - France
+33 4 92 46 88 60 • maisonducol.sigoyer@gmail.com