Cycle touring & bike leisure EXPLORE ISÈRE BY BIKE: 18 SIGNPOSTED CYCLING ROUTES Find complete route information on cyclo-alpes.com Welcome Interview : Bernard Thévenet “ Cycling landmarks that can easily be Going at your own pace reached in an hour or two ” Bernard Thévenet, two-time winner of the Tour de in Isère France (1975 and 1977), has called Isère home for many years now. He still enjoys cycling the depart- ment’s varied terrain, which offers outings for every type of cyclist. sère is true cycling country. From the banks of the Rhône to the summits of the Oisans, there is every kind of terrain, for every kind of cyclist. In the northern Here, there is one thing you notice: lots of people part of the region, the rolling countryside is perfect ride bikes. It’s rare to find yourself pedalling alone.” ANGELIQUE SUREL/ LE DAUPHINE LIBERE for mellow outings, but more challenging adventures During his outings, Bernard Thévenet often finds Still passionate canI also be had. To the south you’ll find the mountainous himself riding amongst a steady stream of ano- about cycling, landscape of Vercors, Chartreuse, Belledonne, Oisans and nymous cycling enthusiasts. “I only ride when the Bernard Thévenet enjoys exploring the roads Trièves. During the Tour de France, the dozens of high al- weather is good, but I always have a great time,” says the of Isère. Pick one of the itineraries described “ in this magazine, and with a little luck, you titude cols here provide the setting for a wealth of sporting former champion. “I hate feeling like I’m racing, even though might fi nd yourself riding next to this famous André Vallini Christian Pichoud drama. I do like to pick up the pace occasionally.” Given his pick champion. President of the Isère Vice-President of the Isère Departmen- of the department’s numerous cycling routes, the two-time Departmental Council tal Council, President of Isère Tourism This varied landscape is dotted with picturesque towns that provide perfect stopping points along the way. winner of the Critérium du Dauphiné (1975 and 1976) says he especially enjoys the mountain roads of Belledonne, not With hundreds of possible routes, the vast, beautiful de- far from his home in Saint-Ismier. “With a little bit of fitness, of these places.” To name just a few: the Col de Port, often a partment of Isère is perfectly suited for cycling. But it’s it’s a great ride, with lots of little cols often about a dozen stage on the Tour de France in the 1960’s; the Laffrey climb; also a place where you can go at your own pace. Isère’s kilometres apart. You have to know how to ride at your own and of course Alpe d’Huez, a spot that sees thousands of Departmental Council, in conjunction with the local cycle pace, alone or as a group.” cyclists every year. This famous 21-switchback climb is a touring committee, has signposted 18 cycling loops from Bernard Thévenet appreciates the fact that in Isère, the geo- fixture on the Tour de France, and probably one of the stages the north to the south of the department, for a total of graphy allows for cycling outings of varying difficulties. “From that is best known worldwide. On 18 July 2013, the riders will nearly 850 km of riding. The routes vary in difficulty, so Saint-Marcellin to Voiron, from Vercors to Chartreuse, and make the challenging ascent not once but twice in a day. For there is something for every type of cyclist. We’ve also from the Oisans to North Isère, there is something for eve- the department’s cyclists, the climb is a source of pride and sought to map out routes throughout the entire depart- ryone,” says Thévenet, who has served as the director of the a notable sporting challenge. ment, allowing you to explore all of the area’s riches. Critérium du Dauphiné cycling race for the past three years. “Isère is real cycling country,” concludes Bernard Thévenet, Now it’s your turn to hop on your bike and discover all that “There is also a great network of bicycle paths around Gre- who plans to spend his spring getting back into cycling shape Isère has to offer! noble, which makes it convenient to participate in the sport. before the Ardéchoise, the famous cyclo sporting event that And some of the landmarks of the Tour de France can be he honours each year with his presence. Sixty-five year André Vallini easily reached in just an hour or two. I have fond memories old Thévenet, known for having dethroned the great Eddy President of the Isère Departmental Council Merckx, is still fond of spending time on his bike. “Outdoor Christian Pichoud sports are really enjoyable. You just need to be safety-min- Vice President of the Isère Departmental Council ded, and you should always wear a helmet.” So let your ins- President of Isère Tourism piration guide you as you choose amongst these 18 cycling loops, which have been mapped out by the Isère Departmen- tal Council. And who knows, somewhere between the paths of Val d’Ainan, the banks of the Rhône in Vienne, Terres Froides, and the famous Oisans climb of Alpe d’Huez, you just might find yourself riding alongside this great champion. A victorious Bernard Thévenet, crossing the fi nish line of the Grenoble- Briançon stage during the 1973 Critérium ARCHIVES DL / LE DAUPHINE LIBERE du Dauphiné. He won this race twice during his career. 2 / Retrouvez le parcours en détails sur cyclo-alpes.com 48 COMPLETE INFORMATION Contents ON TOURISM IN ISERE AT East balcony PAGE 3 INTERVIEW : 9 of the Vercors Bernard Thévenet PAGE 26 At the foot of the French Dolomites “ Cycling landmarks that can easily be reached in an hour or two ” Trièves, PAGE 6/9 CYCLING IN ISÈRE 10 gateway to Provence “ Taking it easy on two wheels ” PAGE 28 The majestic Mont Aiguille On the banks of the Rhône, 1 orchards and heritage PAGE 10 From Antiquity to the Renaissance 11 The four lakes route PAGE 30 Matheysine at its finest 2 Gateway to the Alps Lac de Palandru tour PAGE 12 Calm and harmony 12 PAGE 32 Watery treasures Chartreuse cols Flagstone country 3 13 and panoramic views Precious stones PAGE 14 PAGE 34 Sound and silence From Vals du Dauphiné The heights of Chartreuse 4 to the Pays des Couleurs 14 and Grésivaudan PAGE 16 Art, literature, and a hint of green PAGE 36 Balcony with a view The birthplace of San-Antonio 5 Following in the footsteps From Méaudre to Autrans PAGE 18 of author Frédéric Dard 15 PAGE 38 Vercors, northward bound 6 On the trail of Mandrin Quatre-Montagnes tour PAGE 20 Forest and stone 16 PAGE 40 The Vercors Plateau The Chambaran forest 7 17 Lac du Verney tour PAGE 22 Winding wooded roads PAGE 42 Water and rock Alpe d’Huez, 8 Saint-Marcellin country 18 Col de Sarenne, Auris PAGE 24 Nuts and cheese PAGE 44 The legendary Alpe d’Huez PRACTICAL DESIGN AND PUBLISHING Le Dauphiné Libéré (SA) - 38113 Veurey cedex. Tel. +33 (0)4 76 88 71 00. PAGE 46 ADVICE LE DAUPHINÉ LIBÉRÉ Editor-in-chief for magazines and development: Patrick Peltier Photo credits: Managing editor and coordinator: Georges Bosi Editorial secretary and coordinator: Séraphin Pétin Alexis Chézières, Aymar de Virieu, B. Bodin, Christian Martellet/SMPSG, Collectif ITEM, D. Leroy, D.Fabbri/OT Lans en Vercors, Didier Junger, Eric Beallet/Oisans Tourisme, Gilles Sylvie D’aloïa Layout: Cabella Balloide, Gilles Galoyer-Studio JamaisVu/Pays Voironnais, Henri Landeau, Images Production: Nathalie Pontet-Cailles-Vernaz et Rêves.com, Isair, Jean Dufres/Chartreuse Tourisme, JL Rigaud/Chartreuse Tourisme, Editorial staff: Jeanne Palay / Séraphin Pétin / Philippe Court and Isère Tourisme Karin Creuzet, Laget/Chartreuse Tourisme, Laurent Salino/OT Alpe d’Huez, Mark Bus- Translation: Eliza Sprecher cail, Médiathèque EDF - B. Moyen, P. 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Moderate / Cover photo: Images et Rêves Find complete route information on cyclo-alpes.com 48 Easy L’IsèreCycling etin leIsère vélo This year, Isère is offering something new for fans of cycling and bike tourism. Eighteen bike routes have been signposted throughout the department, providing a great way to ex- plore the area’s cultural and culinary riches. The new routes account for a total of 850 kilometres of cycling enjoyment throughout this diverse region. any cyclists associate Isère with the moun- tains and the famous climb up to Alpe d’Huez, and thus with elite-level cycling. There’s some truth to this, but the department also offers gentler terrain that is just as enjoyable. MThe 18 new cycling routes mapped out and signposted by the Departmental Council are proof of this. The routes pro- vide the opportunity to explore Isère’s natural, cultural, and culinary riches, but they don’t necessarily require Olympic sta- mina! This is thanks to the region’s widely varying terrain, which Taking it ranges from plains and gentle hills to mountainous areas.