QUEYRAS

high Alpine valley of the Guil River in Hautes-Alpes dpartement, in the Provence-Alpes-Cte d'Azur rgion of southwestern France. The Queyras extends from the confluence of the Guil and Durance rivers (near the village of Mont-Dauphin) northeastward to Abris and then southeastward to the Italian bordera total distance of about 30 miles (50 km). The area is noted for its flora (about 2,000 species), ranging from Mediterranean to Alpine varieties. Flanked by more than 100 peaks of the Cottian Alps, the region is also noted for winter sports, with a number of villages with ski lodges lining the valley. A slim canyon known as the Combe de Queyras is bounded by limestone precipices about 650 feet (200 m) high and narrows occasionally to a mere fissure. The Queyras Regional Park, created in 1977, encompasses 150,000 acres (60,000 hectares).