Quaint villages nestled in valleys, world-class ski resorts and the cultured city of Grenoble make Isère stand out in France. This area is the famous home of the 1968 Winter Olympics as well as acclaimed snowy valleys, such as Alpe d’Huez and Les Deux Alpes. Enjoy a skiing holiday on the fresh snow of the Alps after a trip to the museums and churches of Grenoble.
Locals speak French, as the regional Dauphinois language gradually died out.
After arriving in Grenoble, take a minute to observe the snow-capped mountains enclosing the city. Take the cable car up to Bastille, a fortress 1,561 feet (476 metres) above sea level. Admire the stunning views of the city from up high. Make your way back to the city centre to get a sense of the culture and history. Peruse the Museum of Grenoble, which was founded in 1798. It has an eclectic collection of ancient and modern art.
Take a trip to the Chartreuse Mountains just 10 miles (16 kilometres) north of Grenoble to see the museum dedicated to the nearby monastery in the forest. Stroll through the valleys and trees of this scenic area and learn about the head monastery of the Carthusian order.
To the southwest are the fascinating caves of Grotte de Choranche. Fluorescent lights illuminate the incredible features inside the caves. See the subterranean lake and cascades.
Take up thrilling sports, such as hand-gliding and paragliding, in Lumbin. The village, which is 13 miles (21 kilometres) northwest of Grenoble, holds the Icarus Cup annually in early autumn. It is a festival with intriguing competitions, including a masquerade flight contest.
Enjoy a ski trip at the Les Deux Alpes or Alpe d’Huez resorts, where there are slopes for beginners and experts. Bars and restaurants are dotted around the scenic mountain valleys.
Isère sits in the Rhône-Alpes region, very close to the nation’s border with Italy. Get a flight to Grenoble-Isère Airport, in the heart of the district. The large city of Lyon lies just outside the department, while Marseille is a 160-mile (260-kilometre) journey south.
The snow-capped mountains and valleys will make a long-lasting impression during your time in Isère.