Allevard is a commune of the Isere, in the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes region, 40 km north-east from Grenoble.
The locality has developed at 400 m altitude, in the upper valley of Grésivaudan, at the foot of the Belledonne massif, near the department of Savoie. Part of its vast territory of 26 km² extends on the slopes of the mountain and rises to 2749 m altitude.
Fortified in the Middle Ages, the village of Allevard was then the seat of a lordship that became French in the sixteenth century and will be elevated to the rank of marquisate in the eighteenth.
In the meantime, thanks to the energy taken from the streams descending from the summits, Allevard has seen the establishment of metallurgy, iron and steel and foundry units which contribute to its prosperity, the non-urban territory of the locality having devolved to agriculture (breeding).
This know-how disappears in the second half of the twentieth century. However, Allevard already has a new reputation thanks to its baths, operated since the nineteenth century, whose water has therapeutic properties to treat the respiratory tract, rheumatism and osteoarthritis.
That's why the small town that counts to date about 4200 inhabitants is sometimes called Allevard-les-Bains. The creation of a winter sports resort in the 1950s on lands formerly dedicated to summer pasture accentuates the tourist vocation of the town. Its heritage, its baths, its range of cultural and sporting activities, its exceptional natural environment and its ski resort make it a stage and a place of stay highly appreciated.
The city has an important heritage built and historical, whether religious, civil or industrial, not to mention its thermal area.
So many sites to mark a pleasant walk whose starting point may be the church of St. Marcel, built in 1865 in a neo-Gothic style. On the left of the porch is an astonishing meridian, that is to say, an ornamentation that can identify the solar noon. Inside, the altar made by local blacksmiths, the organ case and the frescoes of the choir deserve attention.
The chapel of St. Joseph, near the cemetery, and the Protestant temple built in 1854 are also to be seen. It also remains several testimonies of the old lordship, such as elements of the former castle of the Iron Arm, that of the Bastide or the stronghold of the tower of Allevard and the tower of the Treuil, now restored, which dates from the fourteenth century.
More surprisingly, in the cemetery, the funerary monument of the Croüy-Chanel family, linked to the kings of Hungary, in the shape of a pyramidal chapel adorned with a statue of Saint-Étienne.
This walk should also include the historic heart and its small streets, once surrounded by ramparts. Here and there, on the frontons of dwellings, we still see symbols in the form of masses, which signify that the houses belonged to the forges of Allevard.
At the industrial level, if the factories are gone, there are remains of sawmills powered by mills, a former railway viaduct connecting the mines to the industrial units processing the ore and the old tram station that connected the city to Pontcharra (disused after the second war).
Direction Thermes, then, with their park on which give beautiful buildings as the Hotel Splendid with a Eiffel-style metal frame (1909), the baths Niepce (XIX), the old casino and its rotunda (1925), the Chardon baths (1960), which house a fresco by Françoise Boudet and the Villiot baths, inaugurated in 1994, decorated with ceramics by Roger Capron. In addition to its architectural quality, this complex welcomes spa guests from April to November to treat their airways, rheumatism, osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia with water drawn from 190 m deep, rich in sulfur. Information on +33 4 76 97 56 22.
In terms of cultural leisure, the offer is diversified. The city has a cinema labeled "art and test", the Bel'onne (information +33 4 76 40 35 85) and a museum whose collections evoke the history and activities of the city and its region (mineralogy, steel, hydrotherapy, pastoralism). Currently closed, it will reopen its doors in the spaces of the old casino (contact at +33 4 76 45 16 40). The Salle de la Pléiade hosts performances (concerts, dance) in its 1000-seat theater (information +33 4 76 45 58 51) and the library regularly organizes activities such as readings, workshops and meetings (contact +33 4 76 73 65 07). As in all spa towns, a casino is also available to play but also to attend concerts (information +33 4 76 45 88 29).
In terms of sports and nature activities, the Allevard Collet ski resort has been set up about ten kilometers from the city center. The domain ranges from 1450 to 2100 m of altitude and has 35 km of tracks (7 green, 6 blue, 5 red and 3 black) that serve a dozen lifts. Family resort spread over four sites with balconies, it combines skiing and panoramic views unparalleled (Mont Blanc north to Mont Aiguille south). It has a snow park and marked trails for snowshoeing. An antenna of the French Ski School is established. Information at +33 4 76 97 52 29. Day pass: from 17.50 to 23 euros. Specificity of the resort, nocturnes are scheduled on Tuesdays and Fridays until 22h (surcharge of 10 to 15 euros). Information on the station Collet Allevard +33 4 76 45 10 11.
In town, the open-air municipal swimming pool is open from mid-May to the end of September and allows you to reconcile idleness and pleasures of swimming. Price: 2.40 and 3.80 euros. Information on +33 4 76 97 51 79.
A diving school is based on the site. Information on +33 6 86 99 40 83.
Still in the city center, tennis courts can be booked (call +33 4 76 45 06 11) and a multi-sports field is available near the college.
In the surroundings, Lake Mirande is popular for children's games and walking trails, and Lake Flumet for the skate park on its banks.
The whole territory, from the historic city to the summits of the territory in a green setting in summer, lends itself to hiking. The circuits are numerous, dotted with lakes, wooded areas, ancient pastures and pretty views. Not to mention the wealth in terms of alpine fauna and flora. Maps and information on +33 4 76 45 10 11.
If you prefer an equestrian hike, join the Écurie du Bréda at +33 4 76 71 86 55.
Finally, the fishermen have at their disposal stream and lakes: inquire at +33 6 50 00 83 84.
May 1st, traditional "feast of classes": the inhabitants whose age ends with 0 in the year are in the spotlight. On the program, gourmet events, parade, fanfare...
In July and August, "Opérastage" can accommodate students who learn opera singing. Public concerts punctuate their stay.
In August, gathering of vintage cars in the spa park, book fair at La Pléiade, Allevard Mountain Celebration (August 15) and Montouvrard hamlet festival.
In October "Allev'art en Belledonne" hosts on three days an exhibition of 100 artists (sculptors, photographers and painters).
In November, "La Castagnata" celebrates the chestnut (gourmet and musical entertainment program).
Finally, the riches of the terroir of Dauphiné are in the spotlight every Thursday and Sunday during the market (nocturnes in July and August Resistance Square with artisans and local producers).
