The valley of the Trièves is one of the most intact alpine landscapes in France — ringed by the cliffs of the Vercors, the tower of Mont Aiguille, and the peaks of the Écrins. A remarkable destination, arrived at in a remarkable way.
Enclosed between the limestone escarpments of the Vercors to the west and the peaks of the Dévoluy and Écrins to the east, the Trièves is a glacial valley unlike any other in France. The sugarloaf tower of Mont Aiguille — conquered as early as 1492 — presides over the landscape. The air is clean, the light extraordinary, the pace entirely its own.
Forty-five minutes south of Grenoble, it feels a world away. Flying in amplifies the sense of arrival considerably.
Two official launch sites at Courtet and Châtel. The Trièves is legendary among alpine paragliders for its thermal columns and ridge lift.
Beneath Mont Aiguille — conquered in 1492 — trails span forest, high pasture, and ridgeline above 2,000m. All grades.
The world's oldest organic whisky farm-distillery at 900m in Cornillon-en-Trièves. Tours and tastings. An extraordinary visit.
Cornillon · 15 minWild boar and red deer in forests that Louis XI once hunted. Driven hunts and stalking through local operators.
SeasonalOff the Pont de la Rivoire over the Drac gorge — one of France's most dramatic bungee sites. Not for the faint-hearted.
A vast alpine reservoir with Himalayan suspension bridges over the water. Sailing, kayaking and canoeing.
The Vercors and Mont Aiguille offer outstanding limestone sport and trad climbing. Routes for all abilities.
Gresse-en-Vercors and Alpe du Grand Serre within easy reach. Cross-country skiing through the Trièves in winter.