Countryside
People often talk about going green and taking a break from the hustle and bustle.
With rolling hills, scenic vineyards and farmers’ markets brimming with local produce, Isère’s countryside is the perfect place to reconnect with nature and enjoy the charm of rural life. Discover Isère’s countryside regions, where true green experiences are just around the corner.
Castles: between heritage and magic
Isère is teeming with castles. There are more than 560 castles in the region, some still standing majestically, some in ruins, of course, but history has left its mark.
What’s certain is that some are well worth a visit, such as the Château de Virieux, Vizille or Le Touvet. Others, like the Château d’Herbelon near Lake Monteynard or the Château de Passières in the Trièves, offer an enchanted interlude, either for dinner or an overnight stay.
But in all cases, castles are a journey through time, a return to the past, fascinating and stimulating the imagination… in the minds of young and old alike. They are always worth the detours, because they enchant a hike, a walk or a trip to other points of interest.
Make way for dreams and magic… To discover the majority of châteaux in the Isère region…
Walking or cycling… just slowly
Isère is bursting with natural treasures: gorges, peaks, lakes, plateaux and exceptional valleys. As the seasons change, nature here offers 1001 possibilities for escape and discovery. From tooth-shaped mountains to monster-like rock formations, from the Croix de Belledonne to Mont Aiguille and Obiou, Isère invites you to discover its nature in unique and inspiring ways. The landscapes are more subtle than breathtaking, but they encourage visitors to breathe deeply and appreciate the simple, ephemeral beauty that surrounds them.
Isère offers bike rides to suit every preference, pace and style of cycling: scenic tours along the region’s most breathtaking roads, leisurely family rides through gentle hills and plains, or downhill mountain bike trails that promise an adrenaline rush.
Greenways and cycle paths: these cycle routes and greenways are safe, signposted itineraries for exploring the Isère countryside.
Belle Via, an escape along the river
The Belle Via is a newly established 364-km cycle route crossing four departments: Haute-Savoie, Savoie, Isère and Drôme. This scenic path winds through the foothills of the Bauges, Chartreuse and Belledonne mountain ranges, continuing into the Vercors, and then transitions to the Drôme hills before reaching the Provençal ambiance of the Rhône valley.
Both the starting and ending points of the Belle Via seamlessly connect with the European ViaRhôna route. Positioned as a pre-alpine alternative to the ViaRhôna, which follows the Rhône from Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean, the Belle Via offers cyclists a distinct and picturesque journey through varied landscapes.
Focus on La ViaRhôna
The ViaRhôna cycle route spans an impressive 815 km from Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean, segmented into 25 touring stages. The 11th stage, passing through the Vienne Condrieu area, is notable for its innovative developments.
Suitable for families and experienced cyclists alike, the route offers a variety of options for day trips or longer journeys.
In Isère, the ViaRhôna stretches for 90 km along the Rhône. This stretch invites travellers to discover varied landscapes, charming towns and villages, picturesque vineyards and local gastronomy, all reflecting the unique character of the regions it passes through.
This leisurely route allows you to use a variety of sustainable modes of transport, including cycling, rollerblading, scootering and walking. Importantly, it is accessible to people with reduced mobility, providing an enriching experience for all.
Taste trip in the heart of nature
Let’s discover some local tastes and local know-how like walnuts and wines. Countryside is an invitation to dive into the history of the walnuts and to meet some local wineries. Just to relax and take the time…
In 1938, the Grenoble walnut became the first fruit in the world to receive an Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC). Today, the harvest date for the Grenoble walnut is still officially regulated by a prefectoral decree, typically starting in the second half of September.
To learn more, visit the Grand Séchoir in Vinay, a must-see destination to uncover the secrets of walnuts.
Fruity whites, full-bodied reds or dry sparkling wines: Isère has more than one surprise in store for lovers of fine wines. With its diverse terroir and ideal climate – abundant sunshine and fresh mountain air – Isère is establishing itself as a booming wine region.
From Trièves to the Grésivaudan valley, all the way to Savoie, a number of appellations have won the acclaim of top sommeliers. Among the most prestigious are Balmes Dauphinoises, Coteaux du Grésivaudan, Côte-Rôtie and Château Grillet.
Over the last few years, the vineyards of the Isère region have regained their prestige under the impetus of a new generation of passionate winegrowers. These young enthusiasts are reintroducing endemic grape varieties to their terroir and breathing new life into the region’s winegrowing landscape.
Today, 53 winegrowers cultivate 65 hectares of vines (IGP Isère, AOP Vins de Savoie and IGP Collines rhodaniennes) and produce 55 varieties of aperitif and liqueur.
