Do you prefer culture, nature, sports or excitement? Discover our must-see places that promise unforgettable memories to share with your partner, family or friends. Don’t miss out on these incredible experiences!
10 must-visit destinations in Isère
Want to experience the true essence of Isère?
Whether you’re here for a day or a weekend getaway, we’ve curated 10 must-see places that showcase the region’s unique spirit.
These 10 handpicked destinations highlight the unforgettable charm and beauty that can only be found in Isère, and nowhere else!
Grenoble, from the Bastille
#1Contemplate
This is undoubtedly THE best spot to take in breathtaking views of the city framed by mountains. The ideal time? At dusk, when the city lights come alive, revealing the Cours Jean Jaurès stretching nearly 8 km—one of the longest avenues in Europe. Just minutes away by cable car, La Bastille offers an extraordinary panoramic view through its fully glazed gondolas – or ‘bubbles’ – showcasing Grenoble and its historic centre. This is an experience you won’t want to miss!
The 21 hairpin bends of Alpe d'Huez
#2Go beyond
It’s the race of a lifetime! The greatest Tour de France riders have all tackled the 21 bends of Alpe d’Huez: a distance of 4 km with a height difference of 1,120 m, all by sheer leg power.
You too can become a champion for a day and climb this legendary route!
Suspended houses in Pont-en-Royans
#3Curiosity
Here, time stands still. Clinging to the cliffs of the Bourne, the suspended houses of Pont-en-Royans have preserved their colourful facades and distinctive architecture from medieval times. To fully appreciate this spectacle, admire them from the left bank of the Bourne. In summer, you can take a dip in the river below. So picturesque!
Crozet lake
#4Marvel
Perched at an altitude of 1,974 m and accessible after a 3-hour walk with a 600 m ascent, Lac du Crozet offers an “infinity” view over the Grésivaudan valley and the Chartreuse massif. It’s even said to be the most beautiful lake in the Belledonne.
In fact, this unique panorama is due to a dam, a remnant of the hydroelectric era, known as ‘Houille Blanche’ (white coal), utilising the first penstocks designed by Aristide Bergès.
Saint-Antoine-l'Abbaye
#5magnificent strolls
You can see it from a distance, overlooked by its majestic abbey church adorned with pretty glazed tiles that shimmer in the sunlight. The village of Saint-Antoine-l’Abbaye is a delightful place to wander, with its medieval streets, quaint shops and charming half-timbered houses. Don’t miss the expansive courtyard lined with century-old trees behind the abbey church, a Gothic jewel of the Dauphiné.
No wonder this medieval town is listed as one of France’s most beautiful villages!
Himalayan footbridges
#6vertigo
Experience two footbridges suspended between heaven and earth! These footbridges over the gorges of the Drac and Ebron rivers are the perfect way to hike around Lake Monteynard. The 12 km walk takes around 4.5 hours, and you can even hop on a boat to complete the loop! Set at 45 and 85 metres above the water in a wooded, rocky landscape, they offer magnificent panoramic views of the lake and surrounding peaks.
Jazz à Vienne
#7live
Imagine… A Roman theatre built into the steep slopes of Pipet Hill. An extraordinary setting with a bird’s eye view over the roofs of Vienne’s old town to the Rhône. With unique acoustics and 20 centuries of history, Vienne’s ancient theatre has been delighting jazz and music lovers for over 40 summers!
Grande Chartreuse Monastery
#8the sound of silence
“The world moves on, the Cross remains.”
This was the motto of the Carthusian monks who, over 900 years ago, built their monastery in the heart of the Chartreuse massif with its emerald forests, to devote their lives to prayer and silence. The place is magical and mysterious, inviting reflection and contemplation. Don’t miss the chance to stroll around the monastery and soak in its beauty and serenity.
Domaine de Vizille
#9Revolutionary
People come to the Domaine de Vizille for a Sunday stroll, to picnic by the water, listen to the bellowing of the deer in autumn, play hide-and-seek in the formal gardens or learn about the events of July 1788, the eve of the French Revolution.
The Domaine de Vizille is a place you’ll want to return to!
Mont-Aiguille
#10wonder
Enjoy a moment of incredible contemplation: the proud silhouette of Mont Aiguille, the symbol of the Trièves, in the foreground, with a succession of peaks stretching to the horizon. Did you say imposing?
