Isère Tourism

Health & wellbeing

Mother Nature is a bountiful resource providing oxygen, water, food, plants and minerals that correct imbalances. Spending time outdoors is also proven to boost mental health. Come to Isère and feel the healing power of our magnificent natural, high-mountain environment. Whether outdoors or in a spa, our unique experiences offer pampering or mindful activities to help you unwind and recharge.

Isère: moderate altitude and health, the perfect combination

A health study of the benefits of living and working at moderate altitude is a major focus of Isère’s research into how to prevent diseases. 

The "Altitude Health" project will study the potential benefits of living and staying at moderate altitude - around 1,000 to 2,500 m - on human health, regardless of whether you are a resident, visitor or sports enthusiast. 

The mountainous topography and numerous villages and resorts of the Isère department make the area perfectly suited to the research into positive impacts of altitude on health. Health and well-being are deeply rooted in the history of Isère, with the development of air conditioning and thermalism in particular. 

In the coming years, this theme will be a major focus of the region's research and the heart of the strategy of the department's destination agency - Isère Attractivité - thanks to the partnership with the Hypoxia Physiopathology (HP2) INSERM laboratory at Grenoble-Alpes University and the Mountain Altitude Health academy of the Grenoble-Alpes University Foundation.

Several factors may be involved in the project, such as lower oxygen availability or hypoxia, increased air quality and increased solar radiation.

Researchers will focus on these in relation to health in general, the prevention of some diseases, in particular cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, but also in slowing down their progression.

 

Mindful activities

Cardiac coherence & respiration: Pleyn’itudes workshops at Les 7 Laux 

Cardiac coherence is a respiratory method that regulates the heart rate in the event of stress and excessive emotions. A universal health tool, cardiac coherence is a simple, practical tool for a more balanced daily life. Practiced outdoors at different paces, you will feel more energetic, relaxed and balanced. Breathing associated with movement helps the body and mind adapt to the outdoor environment.

www.fabiennehelip.com

Forest bathing with Phoenix Expérience, Villard-de-Lans

Disconnect in the unique setting of the Vercors Regional Natural Park, the largest nature reserve in mainland France. Phoenix Experience in Villard de Lans offers four different half- and one-day sylvotherapy forest bathing sessions that help with stress levels, positive emotions, and strengthen the immune system. Learn to relax, develop imagination and self-confidence through mindfulness and hypnosis. Sessions include Discover Forest Bathing introduction; Awaken the Senses for a multisensory experience, including barefoot walking; Breath of Life teaches breathing techniques that help reduce stress and stimulate the vagus nerve and its anti-inflammatory effects; and The Other World where you try to approach an altered state of consciousness in the middle of nature.

www.phoenix38.fr

Mindfulness meditation in the Vercors 

Learn mindfulness meditation in the beautiful and tranquil surroundings of the Vercors Regional Nature Park. The White Clouds team runs courses, workshops and retreats, suitable for all levels, in modern meditation techniques for busy people, from Osho meditative therapy to traditional Buddhist techniques. Tanu Termier Kellnerova, the founder of White Clouds, has practised meditation for more than 15 years and studied at the Osho International Meditation Centre in India. 

www.whitecloudsmeditation.com

Silent walk around Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse monastery

Take small steps silently, listening, attentive to your body’s movements and breathing, curious and sensitive to the environment, to the sounds, to the movements of animals, to steps in the snow, and to nature… Enter the Désert de Chartreuse like Saint Bruno, founding Catholic saint of the Order of Carthusians, and his companions in 1084. Discover the Désert de Chartreuse, step by step, walk through the foothills of Grand Som at the top of the Chartreuse massif and find an exceptional forest. Stop here and there with local guide François, who recounts the history of the area and the local population. Time stands still so you can connect with nature at your own pace.

www.francoisruby.com

Stillness in Action sensory experiences in Oisans 

Breathe in fresh mountain air, drink pure stream water, listen to birdsong, dance with the trees and inhale every scent. Stillness in Action experiences provide you with the time and space to slow down in nature, reconnect with yourself and feel revitalised. Owner of Lauvitel Lodge, social psychologist and author, Caroline Purkhardt leads sessions to connect you with your inner wisdom. 6 days/5 nights package.

www.lelauvitel.com

Woodwork and senses workshop, Vénosc

The active “wood and senses workshop” (Atelier Bois et Sens) is a peaceful, sensorial site nestled in the mountain combining meditation and woodwork. Carving spoons from green wood is a creative, physical and precise activity. It uses traditional manual techniques and simple tools. The combination of these two disciplines requires peace and effort. Discover a calm, constructive and productive activity with ways to connect consciousness, presence and action and transfer them to your everyday life. A personal experience with exchange and sharing!

www.bois-et-sens.com

Aqua Yoga in Trièves

Practice aqua yoga in the heated water at the Hotel Gai Soleil in Chichilianne, Trièves, at the foot of Mont Aiguille. Simpler than classic yoga, aqua yoga is an ideal first step towards traditional practice. Hot water softens movements, facilitates stretching, frees the joints, lengthens and loosens the muscles, improves the ability to concentrate and contributes to rebalancing body and mind.

www.hotelgaisoleil.com

Yoga classes in the Vercors

Experience an invigorating break with pottery classes and yoga hikes in nature in Gresse en Vercors at the Aiguillette Lodge. Discover and learn with Hélène, a state-qualified yoga teacher. Meals are prepared on site with organic, local products and served in homemade dishes. You can also take part in healthy food and sourdough bread making. A shuttle service is provided from Monestier de Clermont station. Five rooms are available, including four double rooms with a view of the mountain, where you are lulled by the sound of the flowing river.

www.aiguillettelodge.com

 

bien-etre-wellness-alpes-isere-winter

Pamper yourself

Spa de la Fare, Vaujany

The Spa de la Fare - Pôle Sport et Loisirs sports centre has everything you need to unwind and relax. The relaxation area includes a sauna, hammam, jacuzzis and a herbal tea room. Treatments are also available: balneotherapy, hydromassage table, facials, massages. Massages, facial and body treatments available include Ayurvedic massage, Californian massage, Swedish massage and hot stone massage guaranteeing a moment of timeless relaxation.

www.vaujany.com

Energy healing, bath bar & alpinotherapy at the Les Grandes Rousses**** Hôtel in Alpe d’Huez

Alpinotherapy for sumptuous well-being is a combination of altitude, clean mountain air, water from Lac Blanc in the heart of the Massif des Grandes Rousses, plants and minerals from the Alpes. Alpinotherapy provides the intrinsic advantages of the mountain blended with the healing benefits of copper, ruby, sapphire, peridot salts, mountain pine and semi-precious stones: pink quartz, rock crystal and agate to help soothe fatigue, detoxify the body, strengthen the natural defences and boost energy.

Bath bar: try the latest spa concept in the Alpes with a playful version of alpinotherapy baths. A sparkling or creamy dip, to detox or refresh. Try this intense experience alone, or for added enjoyment, with your partner.

Also, experience four energy healing and holistic treatments at the Spa. Chromotherapy uses colour vibration to reconnect your soul to its inner light; Tibetan Sound Massage uses the sounds of the bowls to make your cells vibrate, allowing your body and mind to regain inner peace; Crystal Therapy uses crystals to repair and rebalance the subtle bodies; Energy Balance is a combination of all three treatments to restore energy circulation.

www.hotelgrandesrousses.com

Escape to a different world at the Bédina Spa - Prapoutel-Les Sept Laux

Discover the honeyed, fruity, spicy scents of the Orient, traditional Indonesian spa rituals, and refined Japanese-style treatments. Rooted in age-old beauty traditions from across the world, the Bédina Spa has selected ointments whose extreme sensory qualities bathe your body and mind in nature bringing an ultimate feeling of well-being. The spa also has a sauna, steam room, jacuzzi and a balneotherapy pool with counter-current swimming, jets, fountains and massage nozzles. And all only 40 minutes from Grenoble in the Belledonne mountains - in the ‘warmth’ of the snow.

www.bedinaspa.com

Hammam in the mountains - La Cordée d’à côté - Saint-Christophe-en-Oisans

This steam room is the only one of its kind! Next to the legendary hotel-restaurant La Cordée with a history of over a century, this unique site is appreciated for its typical mountain atmosphere. A traditional hammam built with high-quality natural materials has been created in an old converted barn in the village of Saint-Christophe-en-Oisans, a mountaineering stronghold. A space dedicated to wellness and relaxation, steam-bath rituals followed by tea tasting makes for a completely restful experience (reading material available). Prolong the relaxing pleasure with a massage. A base camp has been organised on the first floor of the barn with a dormitory for 19 with toilets, showers and dryer. 

www.oisans.com

bien-etre-wellness-alpes-isere-winter

Sensory adventure in Chartreuse chez Oréade - Saint-Pierre de Chartreuse

Let your adrenaline subside, your joints relax, or simply share a pure moment of wellness at Espace Balneo Oréade, an eco-built spa surrounded by nature in the centre of Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse. Enjoy the view of Chartreuse's highest peaks from a red cedar bath with water heated at 38°C. Take a break in the yurt to calm your mind. Relax in the sauna. Have a wellness massage or a beauty treatment. Treat your senses to an adventure in Chartreuse!

www.oreade-balneo-restaurant.fr

Wellness break at Hôtel & Spa Les Clarines - Corrençon-en-Vercors

Wood brushed or blasted with Indian black stones, polished pebbles and flagstones, all steeped in essential oils make a streamlined decor for the Spa in Hôtel Les Clarines. For ultimate relaxation, the spa has a jacuzzi, hammam, sauna, five treatment rooms and a herbal tea room. Not to mention a team of professionals offering a range of massages, scrubs and beauty treatments. Treat yourself to a pure wellness experience in an environment imbued with minerals and plants.

www.lesclarines.com

Duo gourmet and spa By Uriage - Uriage-les-Bains

In an unspoiled natural setting, in the heart of Les Alpes, enjoy a healthy wellness stay in Uriage-les-Bains, a famous spa resort located in Isère, a few minutes from Grenoble and Chamrousse ski resort. Thermal water is used at the Grand Hôtel spa where the team do their utmost to make sure you relax and unwind, with a gourmet twist!
2 treatments of your choice and 2 menus at La Table d'Uriage restaurant from Monday to Saturday for lunch or dinner.
www.grand-hotel-uriage.secretbox.fr

bandeau-wellness-relaxation-winter-isere

Nordic baths at Evasion au Naturel, Chartreuse-Col de Marcieu

Two Nordic baths, each for up to 4 people, set on a large panoramic terrace provide a moment of relaxation as you gaze out over the magnificent mountains of Belledonne and Chartreuse. In the breathtaking setting of the Col de Marcieu, try a panoramic Nordic bath on the roof terrace! Whether as a couple or with friends, for post-sport relaxation or just for a moment of well-being, enjoy the benefits of the outdoor hot water tubs, with a panoramic view of the mountains. 

www.evasionaunaturel.com