The Clarée is a river

River

A river is a natural watercourse, usually freshwater, flowing towards an ocean, a lake, a sea, or another river. In a few cases, a river simply flows into the ground or dries up completely before reaching another body of water. Small rivers may also be called by several other names, including...

 in southeastern France

France

The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...

, a tributary to the Durance

Durance

The Durance is a major river in south-eastern France.Its source is in the south-western Alps, in Montgenèvre ski resort near Briançon and it flows south-west through the following départements and cities:* Hautes-Alpes: Briançon, Embrun.* Alpes-de-Haute-Provence: Sisteron, Manosque.* Vaucluse:...

. Its source is in the Cottian Alps

Cottian Alps

The Cottian Alps are a mountain range in the southwestern part of the Alps. They form the border between France and Italy...

, near the Mont Thabor and Valloire

Valloire

Valloire is a commune in the Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.The ski resort Valloire-Galibier is located in the commune, at the foot of the Col du Galibier and next to the ski resort of Valmeinier, France....

. It flows for all of its course in the Hautes-Alpes

Hautes-Alpes

Hautes-Alpes is a department in southeastern France named after the Alps mountain range.- History :Hautes-Alpes is one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution on 4 March 1790...

 département. It confluence with the Durance is near the hamlet of Les Alberts not far from the source of the Durance in the ski resort of Montgenevre

Montgenèvre

Montgenèvre is a commune of the Hautes-Alpes department in southeastern France.-Geography:Montgenèvre is located in the French Cottian Alps. It is on the Franco-Italian border at the top of the Col de Montgenèvre....

.

The upper reaches of the river are in a military exercise range. This is where the French army from their base in Briançon

Briançon

Briançon a commune in the Hautes-Alpes department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France. It is a sub-prefecture of the department....

 train in the mountains.

Tourism

In the summer the valley is frequented by cyclists and walkers. Horses are not an uncommon sight in the valley, as in the hamlet of Les Alberts there are large stables. The river is used for water sports especially in spring as the snow melts. There are sections of white water, which are used by kayaks and white water rafts. There is a dramatic waterfall at Fontcouverte.

The valley is famous for its numerous sun dials. The valley in winter is clad in snow, which is fully utilised by cross-country skiers. It is one of the main circuits where the French Cross-country team train. There are over 65km of trails.

Settlements along the Clarée include:

• Névache
  Névache
  Névache is a commune in the Hautes-Alpes department in southeastern France.-Population:-Economy:In the winter months cross-country skiing is a popular activity. Other than tourism the main industry is cattle farming.-References:*...
  
  :
• Plampinet
• Le Serre
• Val-des-Prés
  Val-des-Prés
  Val-des-Prés is a commune in the Hautes-Alpes department in southeastern France.It is situated in the Clarée Valley.-Population:-Personalities:...
  
  
• Le Rosier
• Les Alberts