Dominated by the Alpine mountains and the Rhone river, the departement of Isere in the Rhone-Alpes region is the perfect destination for those who love the great outdoors – in summer or winter. Home to some of the best skiing resorts in France, the area is popular with tourists all year round. In the summer those ski slopes become walking and cycling routes and visitors flock to the beautiful scenery from all over Europe. But the Isere region isn't just about skiing; there are other outdoor activities, including extreme sports, on offer, as well as picturesque hilltop villages and cultural towns like Grenoble and Vienne.
Although the Alps are not at their highest in this part of France, there are still some excellent and popular skiing resorts, such as Alpe d'Huez, Chamrousse and Les Deux Alpes. The snow-capped mountains make for beautiful scenery and the resorts are also home to great restaurants, bars and night life to help you unwind after a day on the slopes. The resorts may be much quieter in the summer, but tourism bosses are doing their best to encourage visitors all year round by promoting the walking and biking trails in the region, as well as areas like the Ecrins National Park, where there are mountains more suited to rock climbers than walkers. The Vercors Regional National Park in the west of the region is a less steep and severe landscape, full of caves, gorges, rivers and waterfalls, rather than vertical climbing slopes! The road through this National Park can be busy in the summer, but there are plenty of opportunities to get off the beaten path and explore on your own.
The Laffrey Lakes are just one of the destinations for water sports fans in Isere, with centres dedicated to sailing and windsurfing, as well as several beaches with sun loungers and parasols. There is even a lifeguard on duty during the summer months, when these small sandy areas can get very busy on weekends. Lake Paladru further north also offers swimming, though without the crowds, while there are some excellent mountain biking trails in the woods around its shoreline.
If you're not an active holidaymaker, head to the north of Isere where many of the more historical and cultural attractions can be found, such as the archaeological site of Larina where excavations have found the remains of ancient settlements and the cultural town of Vienne, home to some impressive Roman buildings, an extensive fine art museum and a jazz festival in July. Take some respite from the sun and visit La Balme caves, a prehistoric home, smugglers cave and now a popular tourist attraction. The underground river has created interesting geological features, while the main chamber was decorated with paintings in the Middle Ages.
Looking for self catering holiday accommodation in Isere? Then below is a selection of gites in Isere and villas in Isere that can be rented direct from their owners. You can either click on each listing for further details or you can use our search engine on the left if you are looking for something in particular.
