FIVE REASONS TO VISIT ❘ EXPLORE THE REGIONS
ISÈRE IN THE FRENCH ALPS 5 reasons to visit
Isère
Isère is home to the legendary Alpe d’Huez climb with its 21 hairpin bends and the dizzying roads and villages clinging to the Vercors cliffs, as well as Chartreuse liqueur and many tasty local products
1 1 GREENWAYS With more than 400km of voies
vertes, the lush countryside of Isère is a paradise for cyclists of all levels. The 50km ViaVercors, in the Vercors Regional Natural Park, is bursting with mountain landscapes, waterways and remarkable fauna and fl ora, and as motorised vehicles are largely banned you can enjoy a peaceful and relaxing journey by foot or by bike. It forms an eco-friendly intermunicipal link between the towns of the plateau and allows you to experience fun with family, friends or fellow sports enthusiasts, as well as presenting pleasant discoveries along the way, such as educational stops and visits to local producers and artisans. La Belle Via cycle route crosses the departments of Haute-Savoie, Savoie, Isère and Drôme. It totals 364km, including 123km along the Isère river, with startling views of the summits of Chartreuse, Belledonne and Vercors. At the start and fi nish, it connects to the ViaRhôna European route, ideal for a trip towards the Mediterranean. The 815km ViaRhôna cycle route alternates between secure greenways and shared routes. Suitable for families as well as accomplished cyclists, it offers
2
many possibilities for day trips or longer routes. In Isère, it follows the banks of the Rhône for more than 90km, a perfect way to discover the towns and villages, vineyards and gastronomy of the area. The 12km Via Chartreuse from Saint-Joseph-de-Rivière to Entre-Deux- Guiers uses almost exclusively existing paths or dykes and is punctuated with delights such as the Plantimay farm, the Herretang peat bog, Villette, the sources of Guiers and superb vistas.
2 GASTRONOMY Isère has launched its own recipe,
the Tourte de l’Isère, a regional savoury pie highlighting local products. Simple to make and perfect for sharing after a day in the great outdoors, it uses Saint Marcellin cheese, Grenoble walnuts and potatoes. Meanwhile, the Caves de la Chartreuse has reopened after 18 months of work. Visitors are invited to tour the world of Chartreuse liqueur via new museum spaces which retrace its history from 1084 to the present day and shed light on the skills of the Carthusian monks. The visit ends with a guided tasting of green and yellow Chartreuse.
3 5 SHOPPING Visit the IS HERE ORIGINAL 3 MOUNTAIN REFUGES
boutique at The Village Outlet in Villefontaine (next to Lyon airport). It showcases products and savoir-faire from the region and you can discover a range of local and responsible goods in a charming and unique location. FT
www.alpes-isere.com
Nothing could be more idyllic than
a shepherd’s hut or log cabin perched high in the snow-capped mountains, or overlooking the sparkling lakes and rivers of Isère. There are plenty to choose from and many are just a couple of miles’ hike away. For instance, at 1,740m, Refuge le Habert d’Aiguebelle is Belledonne’s newest refuge, with room for 26 people,
5
and the caretaker serves generous and tasty meals. Home to chamois, marmots and ibexes, the mountain area surrounding the refuge is crisscrossed with hikes for all abilities.
4
Isère is putting the environment front and centre with many green initiatives, and it is well served by public transport. The department has about 40 regional TER train stations and two major stations: Grenoble and Vienne, while the TAG network (Transport de
4 SUSTAINABLE TOURISM
l’Agglomération Grenobloise) has 45 bus lines and fi ve tramway lines serving 49 communes. The Ecotourism Car Free Stays guide features ecotourism partners and suggests ‘à la carte’ carbon-free stays that allow you to discover the region without a car, using trains, buses, bikes, on foot and even by donkey.
Jun/Jul 2023 FRANCE TODAY ❘ 37
IMAGES @ PIERRE JAYET, UROPE, TRISTAN HECKMANN, OT OZ, IMR
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132
