Commune de l'Isère located in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, Vif is now part of the community of agglomeration of Grenoble-Alps metropolis. Installed in the valley of the Gresse, about sixty kilometers from Gap, it extends from 274 to 1270 meters of altitude.
Taking its name from the Latin Vicus, describing a small agglomeration, Vif was a village already known from the eleventh century. Occupied during the Neolithic era, the territory developed deeply in the Middle Ages, becoming the stronghold of a seigneury. Heavyly wounded by the wars of religion because of its complex geographical situation, the municipality has always been able to recover, knowing in particular an age of "gray gold", with the development of cement factories.
Type of small town in the countryside, Vif is today mainly focused on tourism, unveiling an important architectural and natural heritage, not far from Grenoble and its cultural sites to discover.
There are plenty of places to visit in Vif, whether architectural, cultural or natural.
Place of the wedding of Champollion with one of the young girls of good family of the city, Vif has its own museum on the decryptor of the hieroglyphs. Located in the center of the town, it used to serve as a country residence for the scientist and his brother. Some parts of the estate, such as gardens or magnanerie, were classified as Historical Monuments in the 1990s. One can see in particular a collection of objects also classified, such as a bust of Champollion, or objects brought back from campaigns in Egypt.
In the Romanesque style, the church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste has been completely classified to the Historic Monuments. Former center of a Benedictine priory, it still unveils today a bedside of the twelfth century, as well as a central nave rebuilt a century later. Wall paintings dating from the 12th and 14th centuries were highlighted during restoration sessions. These include the faces of saints or a scene of resurrection.
Ancient church of the small village absorbed by Vif, Sainte-Marie de Genevrey dates back to the twelfth century, like his sister. Also listed as Historical Monuments, it houses an interesting painting of the Madonna in the mantle of the sixteenth century installed above the door of the building. Not far away, the cross of the cemetery installed in the 15th century was also classified to the Historic Monuments.
By visiting the rock of Saint-Loup, you can discover the remains of the castle of Uriol. In the village, several houses testify to an ancient architecture. The time of walks around Vif, you will appreciate the remains of ancient ovens testifying to the industrial activity of the municipality in the XIXe century.
The natural heritage of Vif is rich and allows to appreciate the local flora and fauna during the time of some marked hikes. You will be able to discover the lower valley of the Drac and the mountain of Uriol, both classified Natural zone of ecological, faunistic and floristic interest.
The weekly markets of Vif are held on Wednesday in the late afternoon and Friday morning. The city also offers a lively Christmas market in December.
The Festival of the Movement is held every year over two days and offers animations dedicated to the choreographic and Circassian arts. The shows are held in July.
In September, Fet'Art is a communal feast featuring various festive animations.
