In Crolles, visitors can choose from several interests: local heritage, nature within the town, a distinctive wetland area, and trails leading towards the Plateau des Petites Roches. The municipality is part of the Parc naturel régional de Chartreuse. Whether you are more interested in history, protected nature or a hike with a stated walking time can help you choose your focus. The types of activities also vary: there are annual cultural events, downloadable walking tours, an educational trail and routes that lead on foot to the plateau.
Local history through walking tours and events
Six downloadable, family-friendly walking tours offer a way to explore the municipality’s history and cultural heritage. They give you a specific selection for a trip focused on Crolles’ local history; their family-friendly nature is an explicit part of what is offered. To prepare, you can download the tours and include them in your plans in advance.
Each year, local heritage is celebrated with tours and conferences during the Journées du patrimoine de pays et des moulins in June and the European Heritage Days in September. If you want to plan your stay around one of these events, it is best to check the specific date. This lets you choose between visiting during a recurring cultural event and exploring the local history covered by the walking tours.
Nature in town and in the wetland
Parc Jean-Claude Paturel is a nature spot within the town. It is designated an LPO refuge and offers more than 13 hectares of nature. It can be reached by cycling paths and footpaths, so you can choose between two specified ways of getting there. Its combination of an urban setting and designated natural area makes the park a distinct option for your stay.
Marais de Montfort offers a different focus: it is one of the last peat bogs in the Isère Valley. A dedicated educational trail leads through the landscape to three highly protected butterfly species: Cuivré des marais, Fadet des laiches and Azurée de la sanguisorbe. If you want to connect nature with a specific habitat and particular species, this offers a clearly defined focus.
The two nature areas therefore have different focuses: Parc Jean-Claude Paturel is a natural area in town, while Marais de Montfort is a peat bog with an educational trail about protected butterflies.
Hike to the Plateau des Petites Roches
For a hike with a named destination, the Sentier du Pal de Fer and the Sentier du facteur together provide access to the Plateau des Petites Roches in about two hours on foot. The plateau is the entrance to the Parc naturel régional de la Chartreuse and lies at an altitude of almost 900 metres. The approximate walking time gives you a guide for planning this route as a separate part of your hike.
Piscine Crolles also offers practical information for planning: both the building and the pools are accessible to people with reduced mobility. This information applies to both areas of the facility.
Discover more destinations: Chichilianne, Sérézin-de-la-Tour, Septème, Saint-Quentin-Sur-Isère, Huez, Mizoën, Montferrat, Le Pont-De-Claix.
For the broader travel overview: Isere.
