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Off the beaten path Walks and hikes, sites and activities to enjoy; strolls off the beaten path allow you to discover an unimagined heritage.
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Château de Pupetières Châbons: from Lamartine to Agatha Christie |
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 Here's great news for 2009: from now on it will be possible to visit the Château de Pupetières during the summer, as announced by its owner, Aymar de Virieu. Built in the 11th century, the castle was occupied by his family until it was destroyed during the French revolution. Forced to take refuge with their cousins in Coppet, near Geneva, the de Virieu family later came back to this country. They entrusted the reconstruction of their home to Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, to whom we also owe the restoration of Notre-Dame-de-Paris.
For this architect, who was also the leader of the "neomedieval" movement of the end of the 19th century, "restoring a building doesn't mean maintaining it, it means restoring it in a state of completeness which may never have existed at a given moment". Pupetières thus acquired its exceedingly distinctive lines: a hexagonal "forebody" decorated with a balustrade and glazed tortoiseshell tiles. A gothic silhouette which stands out from the bare, craggy countryside: Alphonse de Lamartine, a friend of the de Virieu family, found it a source of inspiration to write his celebrated poem, Le vallon. Staying several summers in a row in a house near the chateau, the painter Johan Barthold Jongkind sketched these landscapes, leaving behind him a whole series of watercolours.
In 2008, it's Agatha Christie in person who has invited herself to the chateau with the new adventures of Prudence and Belisaire Beresford, played by Catherine Frot and André Dussolier. After "Mon petit doigt m'a dit", ("My Little Finger Told Me") Pascal Thomas took as his sets the living rooms of Pupetières to film certain scenes of "Le crime est notre affaire" ("Crime is our business"). No need for special sets in this building where "everything is the set", carved woodwork and tapestries with rustic scenes, fleurs de lys and coats of arms. An interior to discover from July 2009 and to the movies, all those who cannot wait!
Contact et informations :
Château de Pupetières, Châbons
Renseignements: Mairie de Châbons
9 rue de l'Eglise
F-38690 Châbons
Tél + 33 (0)476 65 00 10
Photo: Château de Pupetières
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Spotlight on Morestel, the city of Light |
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Have you heard about Morestel, «the city of painters»? No? Why not discover this tiny thousand-year-old city built on a rocky headland? The very particular light in this region has been attracting artists since the 19th C., including Corot, Deaubigny, Turner and even François-Auguste Ravier, leader of the « école lyonnaise.» His house still sits prominently atop the old city, with exhibitions that range from lithography to photography, including sculpture and a homage to light and painters of light.
Sleeping in the convent
And after your little visit, why not wait for the sun to set over this uniquely-lit city? If you have to give in to the spell, you could end your day at the convent! At the very least, it's an original way of spending the night. The Franciscan sisters reserve four perfectly suited guest rooms in their residence: medieval, yet comfortable. It's also an excellent way to carry on the welcoming tradition of the Franciscan Order, all while contributing to the community. Information/reservation: + 33 (0) 474 805 682. Photo: Monique Haehl
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Caves of Choranche: in the land of soda straws and olm salamanders |
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There are a lot of interesting and odd things to see in these caves located above Choranche, a village in the heart of Vercors. No place in Europe can compete with the delicacy of the unique gem they display, a type of stalactite known as « soda straws ». Made of calcium crystals resulting from the water runoff, these translucent tubular concretions with a diameter of 4 millimeters record a length of 3 meters. Their smoothness and their density make them look like a calcareous straw and only their frailty reminds us of their mineral origin.
The beauty of the depths illuminated by underground lakes shaped by light, the Coranche caves have also been the cradle of a strange creature : the « Olm salamander ». This miniature dinosaur reaches a length of 35 cm. It's nicknamed the « living fossil » because it belongs to one of the oldest species in the world and has kept most of its original characteristics. There are no risks of running into one; in addition to its antisocial behavior, this intriguing little amphibian prefers an aquatic environment. You can, however, still catch a glimpse, if you wish, in one of the aquariums at the entrance of the cave.
Do not miss the surroundings, especially if you are a rock climbing aficionado: with more than 300 meters of verticality and more than 300 equipped routes, the Presles cliffs surrounding the site of Choranche are supposed to be amongst the nicest in all Vercors. And if you are less bold by nature, you can always walk on the footpaths around the caves, and discover the essences which impart this specific Mediterranean fragrance and, why not, carry on till the Gournier waterfalls? You can devote a full day and even more to this activity!
Contact and information: www.choranche.com
Good to know: the Gournier restaurant is worth visiting for its panoramic terrace, as well as for its specialties. Located at 300 m from the caves. Lunch only (follow the link).
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The house of the painter Ernest Hébert is open to the public |
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Kept private for a long time, the family residence, which the painter Ernest Hébert (1817-1908) cherished returning to after his trips to Italy, reveals its treasures. It is now possible, in either open or guided tours, to explore the 19th century academic painter's renovated atelier, with the drawings from his collection displayed by rotation in the painting room. The rare furniture, the 17th century Italian earthenware, the Murano glassware, the old fabric and suits of an artist who had a passion for bargain-hunting are also displayed.
Contact and informations:
Musée Hébert
chemin Hébert
38700 La Tronche/Grenoble (locate)
Tél. +33 (0)476 42 97 35
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Free entrance.
Open every day except tuesdays from 10h to 19h.
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The Jardin Ferroviaire (Rail Park) grows and prospers |
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Created in 1987 by Christian Abric, who in this way accomplished his childhood dream, the Rail Park of Chatte en Isère combines a passion for the miniature with functional model-making. Reconstructed to a scale of 1.22/5th - one locomotive measures between 20 to 50 cm - the 1,100 km outdoor rail system allows for 30 miniature trains and 250 miniature coaches. In his father's footsteps, rekindling his dreams, Jean-Philippe Abric entrusted Joseph Grimaldi, (a former collaborator of Erick Borja, designer of the «Zen Gardens»), with the creation of an amazing garden through which his trains could meander. Mission accomplished: after three years of work, the bonsai garden, with its shrubs and conifers, aged and miniaturised according to different Japanese techniques, is open to the public. This summer, the public will be able to discover yet another garden, temporary this time, dedicated to music. A little corner of paradise created by Etienne Favre, who displays musical instruments made out of recycled material in a playful and educational manner. An opportunity that could well be unique, listening to a rubber boots symphony, an aluminium tubophone concert or to hum the melody of a percussion wheel. Informations: www.jardin-ferroviaire.com
Photo: Jardin ferroviaire |
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