Villard-Bonnot is a city of 39; Isere, in the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes region, 17 km north of Grenoble.
The town consists of three villages (namely north to south Brignoud, Villard-Bonnot and Lancey) is located in the valley of Grésivaudan, on the left bank of the Isere, between the Chartreuse massif and the Belledonne range.
A small seigniory with a medieval castle from the Middle Ages on this strategic axis linking the Dauphiné to the Savoy, the activity is primarily agricultural before the town knew a boom in the second half of the nineteenth century. At that time, two paper mills were established that operated thanks to the hydroelectricity created from the water produced by the melting snow. This principle is then called "White Coal".
The two industrialists, Alfred Fredet in Brignoud and Aristide Bergès in Lancey, create housing estates for their employees and endow the city with modern equipment.
The Lancey site remains in service until the beginning of the 21st century.
With more than 7300 inhabitants, the town initiated a project to change the wasteland of the paper mill (business incubator, green spaces).
The heritage of the city as its natural environment near the mountains make it a stage of interest.
In terms of built heritage, a city tour of Villard-Bonnot may include different sites and buildings of interest.
This is the case of the castle of Miribel (also known as Vors or Vorz), which was first a fortified tower in the twelfth century and then a real castle with a defensive vocation under the leadership of the lords of Commiers in the fourteenth. The field is still remodeled in the seventeenth century to become more residential (adding a tower, filling the moat) and the eighteenth (new roof, addition of mullioned windows, development of a park).
See next, the castle or the house Bergès, named after the founder of the stationery, an old farmhouse enlarged and restored in an Art Nouveau style in the early twentieth century.
In 1957, the building was moved 70 m to allow the expansion of the plant. A real technical feat... It now houses the museum of Houille Blanche. The visitor discovers the story of the house whose first owners made an example of decoration and layout, but also that of the local industry based on this amazing source of energy. The beautifully landscaped garden is included in the visit. Free entrance but guided tours possible every second Sunday of the month (price: 3.80 euros). Information and reservations on +33 4 38 92 19 60.
To see again in the town, always in reference to its industrial history, the cenotaph Bergès, in the cemetery of the rue des Adieux. This funeral monument made in 1899 was commissioned by Aristide Bergès on the death of his wife. It features the cenotaph itself, a bronze sculpture depicting "The Angel of Faith" and a carved bronze plaque.
On the religious level, Villard-Bonnot possesses with the church Saint-Antoine, built in 1829, a rare example of a catholic edifice built according to a circular architecture.
For culture lovers, the Aragon Space program shows theater and dance and many exhibitions throughout the year. Information on +33 4 76 71 22 51.
For lovers of hiking or mountain biking, the town and its surroundings offer many opportunities, including of course the foothills of the mountains bordering the valley. Documentation and information at +33 4 76 00 33 82.
As for athletes, they can enjoy the communal bowling alley (information on +33 4 76 92 22 68) or play a game of tennis (contact the local club at +33 6 52 88 96 94).
During the first week of July, the church of the city hosts performances of the Music Festival in Grésivaudan, devoted to chamber music.
At the same time, the festival Grési-Blues regularly scheduled concerts at Villard-Bonnot.
During the holidays of All Saints, over a dozen days, the space Aragon hosts a renowned children's film festival. Information on +33 4 76 71 22 51.
In mid-November, the writers' festival in Grésivaudan also takes place in the locality.
Finally, the gourmet riches of the terroir of Dauphinois are to discover on Tuesday and Saturday morning in the Brignoud market and Saturday morning on the Lancey market.
