Caves · Isère
1 Grotte de la balme
The Balme caves are among the most beautiful in France, of which they represent a true synthesis.
View full page →What to see in Isère in 3 days
Isère runs from big towns to the Chartreuse, Vercors and Oisans massifs. It has gorges, caves, mountain villages and castles in a very varied area.
This itinerary spreads the best-rated sites in the catalogue over three days. Mountain roads are spectacular but slow.
Our day-by-day itinerary
The map shows the numbered stops in visiting order, with one colour per day. The line follows the roads where available; otherwise it joins the stops as the crow flies. Distances and times are approximate (by car, without traffic).
Day 1 — Grotte de la balme to Le Lac Achard
This day brings together 3 sites close to each other: caves and lakes. Allow half an hour to an hour and a half per site, plus travel time.
Caves · Isère
2 Grotte Les Cuves de Sassenage
From its historic town, Sassenage invites you to discover the Cuves cave formed at the foot of the Vercors, listed as natural heritage and named the 4th wonder of the Dauphiné.
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Lakes · Isère
3 Le Lac Achard
A pretty mountain lake at 1,917 metres' altitude, easy to reach by a short hike from Chamrousse.
View full page →Day 2 — Pont-en-Royans to Le Mont Aiguille
This day brings together 5 sites close to each other: waterfalls, villages and caves. Allow half an hour to an hour and a half per site, plus travel time.
Villages · Isère
4 Pont-en-Royans
This town, at the foot of the Vercors massif, at the mouth of very beautiful gorges, is recognised as one of the most curious in Isère with its hanging houses with colourful façades overlooking the river Bourne.
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Caves · Isère
5 Grottes de Choranche
In the heart of the Vercors, explore this cave hidden in the lush nature of the Choranche cirque. The water of the underground lakes and rivers floods the crystalline whiteness of the concretions with emerald reflections.
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Waterfalls · Isère
6 Cascade de Moulins Marquis
The Moulin-Marquis waterfall, also called the Bournillon waterfall, is in the cirque of the same name, downstream of the Bourne gorges, at the exit of Choranche (Presles) in Isère, on the northern slope of the Vercors.
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Waterfalls · Isère
7 Les gorges du Nan et Cascade de la Gerlette
A magnificent hike in the Nan gorges (listed Sensitive Natural Area) starting from the village of Cognin-les-Gorges.
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Natural wonders · Isère
8 Le Mont Aiguille
Mont Aiguille, one of the seven wonders of the Dauphiné. Mont Aiguille was once called "Mont Inaccessible" because climbing it was thought impossible.
View full page →Day 3 — La Pierre Percée to Lac de la Muzelle
This day brings together 4 sites close to each other: lakes, natural wonders and waterfalls. Allow half an hour to an hour and a half per site, plus travel time.
Natural wonders · Isère
9 La Pierre Percée
On the borders of the communes of La Motte-d'Aveillans and Pierre-Châtel, not far from La Mure, the Pierre Percée is one of the most astonishing geological curiosities of our region.
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Waterfalls · Isère
10 Cascade de Confolens
This waterfall is at the gateway to the Écrins National Park, at 1,133 m altitude. Above the village of Le Périer, in the Valbonnais, the waterfall gushes from a rocky gully and plunges 80 m towards other torrents.
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Lakes · Isère
11 le lac du Lauvitel
At 1,530 metres' altitude, Lac du Lauvitel is the largest lake of the Écrins massif. It is reached from the hamlet of La Danchère. The Lauvitel is one of the most beautiful sites of the Oisans.
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Lakes · Isère
12 Lac de la Muzelle
In the heart of the Écrins National Park, Lac de la Muzelle is a 9-hectare glacial lake with turquoise water, overlooked by the Roche de la Muzelle.
View full page →When to go
Spring and autumn suit hikes and towns well. Summer is ideal for the high mountains, but busier. In winter, snowy massifs sometimes close their roads.
Getting around
A car is practical for linking the massifs, but the big towns are explored on foot. Some access roads, such as those of the Vercors, are narrow. Find out about road conditions in winter.
Our tips
- Allow slack in travel times in the mountains.
- Check that caves and developed sites are open before you go.
- Bring water and good shoes for gorges and trails.
- Follow the rules in protected areas.
If you have more time
Natural wonders · Isère
Parc naturel régional de Chartreuse
The Chartreuse Regional Nature Park is a regional nature park in the Rhône-Alpes region.
Towns & cities · Isère
Grenoble
Former capital of the Dauphiné nestled at the confluence of the Isère and the Drac, encircled by three Alpine massifs visible from the city centre.
Towns & cities · Isère
Vienne
Former Roman city on the banks of the Rhône, whose Temple of Augustus and Livia and ancient theatre bear witness to a rich imperial past.
Castles · Isère
Château de Virieu
It was in the year one thousand and ten that Wilfrid de Virieu built on his lands a fortified house and gave it his name.
Villages · Isère
Saint-Antoine-l'Abbaye
Set in the Isère département, at the gates of the Drôme, halfway between Grenoble and Valence, the medieval village of Saint-Antoine-l'Abbaye, ranked among the Most Beautiful Villages of France, is considered one of the unmissable jewels of Rhône-Alpes heritage.
Waterfalls · Isère
Cascade de la Fauge
This walk will lead you to discover a preserved natural area. Park at the Cochettes car park then follow forest paths to the Pont de l'Amour.
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