Saint-Vincent-de-Mercuze is a commune in the Isère department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, 30 km northeast of Grenoble.
The locality with approximately 1,400 inhabitants is located precisely in the valley of Grésivaudan, a natural corridor between the Chartreuse massif and the chain of Belledonne, along the river Isère.
Already inhabited during Prehistory and then the Gallo-Roman period, the territory has been the subject of conflicts between Savoy and Dauphiné since the Middle Ages. That is why in Saint-Vincent-de-Mercuze as in the neighboring cities, many strong houses watched this major axis of communication and a fertile terroir. Along with food-producing agriculture, the production of nuts and honey developed over the centuries and in the eighteenth century, Saint-Vincent-de-Mercuze became a center of the iron and steel industry. A charcoal blast furnace is built whose ore is processed in the village itself. It ceased its activity around 1860.
The municipality remains today a center of artisanal and commercial activities, and integrated into the Regional Nature Park of the Chartreuse, it is also renowned for its heritage, its activities and its tourist attractions linked to its natural environment.
In order to understand the historical heritage of the small town, including the castle of Montalieu (first of all having a stronghold character in the 14th century, before being redesigned several times and becoming more residential in the 19th century) Designed that encompasses remarkable sites. Called Chemin d'Autrefois, it allows to discover fountains, laundries, typical houses, as well as the vestiges of the blast furnace. To be explored with an explanatory brochure. Information: +33 4 76 08 44 69. This informative walk passes through Ernest Doudart de Lagrée's birthplace (1823-1868), naval officer, explorer and diplomat who died during an expedition to the Far East. A monument is also dedicated to him in the center of the village.
Another hike was designed from the village to the cascades of the Alloix, which allows to discover certain elements of the heritage before becoming more "sportive" as you go up the course of a " Water... Certain passages on the side of cliff require a certain skill even if facilities (bridges, cables, stairs) make it possible to cross the torrent. For further information, please call +33 4 76 08 44 69.
The rich biodiversity of the Chartreuse massif (fauna, flora) and the remarkable panoramas which are legion can be the object of many other excursions. It is prudent, including in summer, to inquire beforehand on the difficulties (relief) and the weather. For more information, please call +33 4 76 88 64 00.
For accomplished sports enthusiasts, Via Ferrata (a mountain itinerary that combines hiking and climbing techniques) at the start of the Alloix waterfall can be borrowed with instructors from April to November. Price: from 40 euros. Booking and information on +33 6 03 70 36 25.
More for the general public, the tennis courts of the municipality are accessible to the visitors. For further information, please call +33 6 88 03 73 42.
Same thing for the pool and its open pools (for swimming and relaxing), open on weekends in June, and every day in July and August. Admission: 2 and 3,50 euros. Information on +33 4 76 08 43 98.
Finally, fishers can benefit from communal water bodies, located in the plain, and with an area of 5 hectares. A card is required. Contact the fishing association at +33 6 73 92 05 45.
On the 3rd Saturday of January, the locality celebrates the Saint Vincent (parade, musical animations, fireworks).
On the last Saturday of May, the town welcomes Metal-Grésifest, a festival devoted to metal and hard rock music.
On the first Sunday in June, the festivities of the ovens showcase the old bread ovens of the village in a convivial atmosphere.
The last weekend of June, the Grési-Bike-Festival brings together for two days the enthusiasts of mountain biking (itineraries to be carried out in family, exhibitions, sale of new and used bikes, playful animations).
The first week of July, the festival Grésiblues which takes place on the whole valley and program of the artists of blues of international reputation or young talents makes stage in the municipality.
On the last Saturday in August, the summer party at the swimming pool combines fun and musical activities to end the season...
The second Sunday of November, producers' market.
