In Isère, the most beautiful mountain regions for your holidays

The Isère, a department located in the heart of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, is a multifaceted region that seduces with the diversity of its landscapes and the richness of its heritage. From the snow-capped peaks of the Alps to the green plains of Dauphiné, via limestone plateaus and steep valleys, Isère offers a mosaic of natural settings conducive to a multitude of outdoor activities. Fans of hiking, climbing, winter sports or simple walks will find what they are looking for. In addition, Isère is a department steeped in history, where Gallo-Roman remains, medieval castles, religious buildings and evidence of the industrial era coexist. Each region, from Vercors to Chartreuse, from Matheysine to Oisans, via the Belledonne massif, has its own identity, shaped by centuries and men, offering visitors a journey through time and culture.

This diversity makes Isère a privileged destination for nature lovers and history enthusiasts, eager to discover a rich and varied heritage in an exceptional natural setting.

Chartreuse

The massif of the Chartreuse, stretching between Isère and Savoie, is a green setting renowned for its dense forests, limestone cliffs and picturesque villages. Classified as a regional natural park, it is home to a rich fauna and flora, offering an ideal setting for outdoor activities.

Hikers can explore more than 1 kilometres of marked trails, suitable for all levels. Among the emblematic routes, the circuit of the Monastery of the Grande Chartreuse allows you to discover this mystical place nestled in the heart of the forest. Caving enthusiasts will also find what they are looking for with numerous caves and chasms to explore. In winter, the Chartreuse is transformed into a playground for snow sports, with family resorts offering downhill skiing, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

The Grande Chartreuse Monastery, founded in the 11th century, is the birthplace of the Carthusian order. Although access to the monastery is restricted, the nearby Grande Chartreuse Museum offers an immersion into monastic life and the history of the order. The villages of Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse and Saint-Pierre-d'Entremont are charming for their authenticity, with their traditional houses and local markets.

The Chartreuse is also famous for its liqueur eponymous, made by the monks according to a secret recipe based on 130 plants. Visitors can taste this unique liqueur and discover its history at the distillery located in Voiron. Local cheeses, such as Bleu de Chartreuse, will delight food lovers.

The Vercors

The massif of Vercors, shared between Isère and Drôme, is a limestone plateau with varied landscapes, alternating between forests, mountain pastures and steep cliffs. This territory, marked by the history of the Resistance, is today a mecca for green tourism.

With over 3 kilometres of marked trails, the Vercors is a hiker's paradise. The Hauts Plateaux trail offers breathtaking views of the Alps and allows you to observe a wealth of wildlife, including chamois, ibex and marmots. The Bourne gorges and the Combe Laval cirque are spectacular natural sites not to be missed.

The Vercors is renowned for its climbing sites, caving trails and via ferrata. In winter, the resorts of Villard-de-Lans, Corrençon in Vercors et Autrans-Méaudre-en-Vercors offer ski areas suitable for all levels, as well as internationally renowned Nordic ski slopes.

The Vercors is deeply marked by the history of the Second World War. The Resistance Memorial, located in Vassieux-en-Vercors, pays tribute to the resistance fighters and offers a moving dive into this dark period of French history.

The Matheysine

La Matheysine, located south of Grenoble, is a mid-mountain region characterized by its lakes, plateaus and authentic villages. This territory, still preserved from mass tourism, offers an authentic experience to visitors in search of tranquility.

Matheysine is dotted with lakes of glacial origin, such as Laffrey Lake, Pierre-Châtel Lake and Pétichet Lake. These bodies of water are ideal for swimming, fishing and water activities such as sailing and paddle boarding. The developed beaches offer areas for family relaxation.

The Matheysine plateaus offer numerous hiking trails, with breathtaking views of the surrounding massifs, including Taillefer and Obiou. Cyclists will appreciate the winding roads and passes offering sporting challenges and exceptional panoramas.

Matheysine has a rich industrial past linked to coal mining. The Image Mine Museum, located in La Motte-d'Aveillans, allows you to discover the mining history of the region through underground galleries and interactive exhibitions.

The Trièves

Nestled between the Vercors and Dévoluy massifs, the Trièves, is a preserved region offering landscapes of striking beauty, characterized by green valleys, dense forests and emblematic peaks. The Mount Needle, culminating at 2 meters, is one of the seven wonders of Dauphiné and a symbol of mountaineering since its first ascent in 085. Nearby, theObiou, the highest point of Dévoluy, offers breathtaking panoramas to seasoned hikers.

Le Trièves also home to characterful villages such as Men, the historic “capital”, with its old market halls and its museum dedicated to local heritage. Chichilianne, dominated by Mont Aiguille, seduces with its picturesque church and its hiking trails. Clelles, an ideal starting point for exploring the surrounding area, offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Literature lovers will enjoy a visit to theGiono Space in Lalley, dedicated to the writer Jean Giono who was inspired by the landscapes of Trièves for several of his works.

Nature lovers will not miss the Lake Monteynard-Avignonet, renowned for its turquoise waters and Himalayan walkways offering thrills and spectacular views.

Finally, the village of Gresse-en-Vercors, the highest commune in the Vercors, is the starting point for many hikes towards the Grand Veymont, the highest point of the massif

Massif of Belledonne

Le Belledonne massif, extending over approximately 60 kilometers between the departments of Isère and Savoie, is a mountainous area with sharp peaks and crystal-clear high-altitude lakes. Less frequented than other Alpine massifs, it offers wild and unspoiled nature, ideal for lovers of tranquility and authenticity.

Belledonne is a privileged playground for seasoned hikers and mountaineers. The GR®738, nicknamed "Haute Traversée de Belledonne", allows you to travel the massif from north to south over nearly 130 kilometers, offering breathtaking panoramas of the Alps. The mountain lakes of the SeptLaux are popular destinations for day hikes, revealing landscapes of striking beauty. Iconic peaks, such as the Grand Pic de Belledonne, culminating at 2 meters, attract climbers looking for a challenge.

In winter, the massif becomes a paradise for lovers of ski touring, snowshoeing and ice climbing. ski resorts, Such as Chamrousse, offer ski areas suitable for all levels, with exceptional panoramas over the Grenoble valley. The ski touring routes allow you to escape far from the crowds, to discover unspoiled snowy landscapes.

Allevard, a thermal spa known since antiquity, is also a gateway to the northern part of the Belledonne massif, from the deep valleys which cut into its relief, such as that of Haut Bréda.

Belledonne is rich in cultural heritage linked to its industrial and artisanal history. Local museums trace the history of iron and forges that have marked the region. Thematic trails, such as those of thematic walks, allow you to discover this heritage by combining hiking and cultural discovery. The fauna and flora are also remarkable, with the presence of protected species and preserved natural environments.

Oisans

The Oisans, located in the heart of the French Alps, is an emblematic region of Isère, renowned for its spectacular mountain landscapes and authentic villages. This territory, which extends between the Ecrins national park and the Romanche valley, offers a multitude of activities for nature lovers and outdoor sports enthusiasts.

Oisans is a true paradise for hiking enthusiasts, with varied trails that cross breathtaking panoramas. Mountaineers will also find what they are looking for with emblematic peaks such as the Meije or the Écrins. Cyclists are not left out, with legendary passes regularly used by the Tour de France, such as theAlpe d'Huez and the Galibier pass. In winter, ski resorts such as Les Deux Alpes and Alpe d'Huez offer internationally renowned ski areas, suitable for all levels.

The villages of Oisans, such as Besse en Oisans and Severe (in the Hautes Alpes), seduce with their traditional architecture and preserved atmosphere. The cultural heritage is rich, with museums dedicated to local traditions, such as the Museum of Minerals and Fauna of the Alps in Bourg d'Oisans. Local festivals and events, often linked to the seasons and pastoral activities, offer an authentic immersion in mountain life.

The cuisine of Oisans reflects its mountainous terroir, with specialties such as Oisans pie, gratin dauphinois, and tasty cheeses such as Vercors-Sassenage blue. Local markets are an opportunity to discover these local products and meet passionate producers.

Oisans is an essential destination for those who wish to discover the mountains in all their splendor, combining sporting activities, cultural discoveries and gourmet pleasures.

Grenoble and its surroundings

Grenoble, nicknamed the " Capital of the Alps", is a vibrant city surrounded by majestic mountains, offering a rich historical and cultural heritage. Visitors can explore the historic center with its picturesque alleys, the lively Place Grenette and the Notre-Dame Cathedral. The Musée de Grenoble, renowned for its collection of ancient and contemporary art, is a must-see for art lovers. For a panoramic view of the city and the surrounding mountains, the Bastille cable car transports visitors to the ancient fortress perched on a hill.

 The surroundings of Grenoble also offer remarkable sites. Voiron, a visit to the Caves de la Chartreuse allows you to discover the secrets of making the famous green liqueur of the Carthusian monks. Vizille is home to the Domaine de Vizille, a vast landscaped park where the castle housing the Museum of the French Revolution, tracing the history of this key period. These destinations, easily accessible from Grenoble, enrich the experience of visitors in search of culture, history and nature

Isère, with its diversity of landscapes ranging from Alpine massifs to green valleys, offers a multitude of activities for nature lovers and history enthusiasts. Whether you are a fan of hiking, winter sports, or in search of cultural discoveries, this department will seduce you with its rich heritage and its unmissable sites.

Among the sites not to be missed, Grenoble, the "Capital of the Alps", stands out for its cultural dynamism and its exceptional panoramas. The Vercors, Chartreuse and Belledonne massifs offer endless opportunities for outdoor activities.

By planning your vacation in Isère, you ensure an authentic experience, combining nature, culture and adventure, in a preserved and welcoming setting.

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