Isère Tourism

Green accommodation

An enchanting destination for all outdoor fans, our accommodation embraces the concept of responsible travel. From mountain huts to locally owned eco hotels and farmstays, Isère is the perfect place to stay if you're looking for a destination that looks after its natural heritage.  

Choose sustainable tourism

By choosing and staying in locally owned hotels, you will be contributing to the local economy. One simple way to make sure 100% of your tourist pounds go to the accommodation provider is to avoid using booking engines and reserve direct.

To focus even more on sustainability, select places to stay that have recognised labels. For example, choose establishments with the Green Key (Clef Verte), Ecogîte®, Gite Panda WWF, Inspiration Vercors Partner or EU Ecolabel.

Inspiration Vercors Partner is a provider that guarantees visitors a quality experience based on sustainable development initiatives when staying in the Vercors Regional Natural Park. For more than 10 years, the Vercors has worked with accommodation providers, restaurant owners, activity organisers and tourist sites. Partners agree to maintain air and water quality, control waste management and use short food supply chains. https://www.inspiration-vercors.com/en/

Travel out of season & avoid overtourism

To give ecosystems a break, where possible, travel outside peak seasons (July-August, Christmas, February half term and Easter). By doing so, you’ll help fund a year-round economy and contribute to local employment.

As a bonus, you’ll meet fewer crowds, allowing you to soak up beautiful mountain environments in more solitude, and ultimately save on your pocket too as rates tend to be lower.

In summer especially, Isère is the perfect spot to visit out of season. In late May/early June, alpine meadows come into bloom with wildflowers, with the snow-sprinkled mountains making a picturesque backdrop. In September, the cooler temperatures make mountain sports accessible with autumn colours creating stunning photos.

For more on responsible travel in Isère, see Responsible Travel

 

Farmstays

Le Chant de l'Eau, Le Sappey-en-Chartreuse

For 100% food self-sufficiency, visit the eco-farmstay Le Chant de l'Eau on the edge of the St-Eynard forest in the Chartreuse. Almost all dishes are made from their own produce (meat, eggs, bread) and homegrown fruit and veg including old heirloom varieties; wine comes from local producers. With 5 guest rooms, a library and cosy lounge with fireplace, this renovated barn is a member of Gîte Panda WWF for its use of natural building materials, exceptional natural environment with nearby discovery trails, promoting biodiversity protection, recycling and use of eco materials. Open all year.

www.gitechantdeleau.com

 

Eco labels 

Auberge de la Croix Perrin, between Lans-en-Vercors and Autrans, Vercors

The eco-responsible Auberge de la Croix Perrin lies at an altitude of 1,218 m with 15 bedrooms and a view of the second highest peak in the Vercors, As an Inspiration Vercors Partner, the hotel adheres to the Vercors Natural Park’s principles, providing locally sourced, organic meals, and respecting the environment, including using a henhouse for organic waste. 

www.vercors-hotel.com

Chalet Auris, La Balme in Auris-en-Oisans, Oisans

Surrounded by nature, the Chalet Auris is in a divine little location opposite the chapel with its 400-year-old lime trees in the tiny car-free hamlet of La Balme in Auris-in-Oisans. Labelled ‘Nature-House’ for its natural surroundings, it’s ideal for families as children can play freely outdoors. This cosy retreat was once the village wheat barn and now has four bedrooms and a shared lounge with a comfy sofa. Open all year, the catered chalet is owned and run by a Belgian couple, who prepare delicious home-made meals in front of you with ingredients fresh from the garden.

www.chaletauris.com
 

Les Petites Roches Insolites, Plateau-Des-Petites-Roches, Chartreuse

By injecting a touch of whimsy into an otherwise traditional chalet, the owners of Les Petites Roches Insolites created a hobbit-like cabin, half-buried into its surroundings with a grassy roof acting as a thermal and acoustic insulator. Inspired by Nordic houses integrated into nature, this exceptional chalet of 65 m2 lies at an altitude of 1,000 m on the Plateau des Petites Roches, the hangout for paragliders and home of the Icarus Cup. Enjoy a magical moment in nature in this Ecogite on the edge of the woods, relax over dinner with a private concert, or sign up to a massage, Qi Gong session or sophrology. 

www.petitesrochesinsolites.com

Val Lachard, Villard-de-Lans, Vercors

An energy-efficient converted farmhouse with a traditional stepped gable roof, the 4-star Val Lachard in Villard-de-Lans has rooms that “breathe like your lungs.” The traditional building mixes innovative systems with a modern, passive self-sufficient house responding to the environment. A continuous stream of fresh, pure air allows you to breathe healthily, especially at night, which contributes to wellbeing. Accommodating up to 20 people, the Inspiration Vercors Partner is also part of the Accueil Velo (bike) label, and has an electric charging point for vehicles and bikes.

www.vallachard.com
 

Mountain huts & refuges

If you want to breathe in fresh air surrounded by alpine pastures at altitude and escape the crowds, stay in one of Isère’s mountain huts. Check out our selection of 8 unique staffed mountain huts

Refuge de la Boire, Besse-en-Oisans, Oisans

Find complete peace in the only chalet in a wild valley at 1,900 m surrounded by untouched nature. Renovated with local wood and eco insulation, this off-grid refuge uses solar panels for renewable energy and is far from all antennae, making it ideal for anyone suffering from electrosensitivity. An off-the-beaten-track retreat with no running water (only a dry toilet), the cabin sleeps six: three in the living kitchen area and three in the bedroom. Access is via a 5km dirt track in summer, and in winter by snowshoe or ski touring with an elevation gain of 700 m and a 3 to 4-hour walk, depending on your baggage (you have to bring your own food as this refuge is unstaffed). The owner is a mountain guide… ask him for any advice!

www.refugedelaboire.fr