Isère is a department located in the southeastern part of France. It was established during the French Revolution in March 1790 and was one of the original 83 departments. The department was formed from the central part of the former province of Dauphiné. Its area has been reduced twice, first in 1852 and then again in 1967, losing territory to the department of Rhône. Today, Isère is part of the
Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region and is surrounded by the departments of Rhône, Ain,
Savoie, Hautes-Alpes, Drôme, Ardèche, and Loire. The department of Isère (number 38) is known for its picturesque landscapes, including a part of the French Alps, with the highest point being the Sub-Peak "Pic Lory" at 4,088 meters, which is a subsidiary of the 4102 meters Barre des Écrins in the adjoining Hautes-Alpes department. La Meije is another well-known summit at 3,988 meters. The Vercors Plateau aesthetically dominates the western area of the department.
Isère is a popular destination for skiing enthusiasts, with many ski resorts, including the Alpe d'Huez, Les Deux Alpes, the 1968 Winter Olympics resorts of Chamrousse, Villard de Lans, and Autrans. Other popular resorts include Les 7 Laux, Le Collet d'Allevard, Méaudre, Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse, Alpe du Grand Serre, and Gresse-en-Vercors. It is France's third-largest ski and winter destination, after Savoie and
Haute-Savoie but before Hautes-Alpes.
Apart from skiing, Isère is also known for hosting Coupe Icare, an annual festival of free flight that includes paragliding and hang-gliding at the world-renowned paragliding site in Lumbin. The festival attracts thousands of spectators and participants from all over the world.
If you're interested in history and culture, Grenoble, the largest city in Isère, has a dozen museums. The most famous of which was created in Grenoble in 1798, the Museum of Grenoble. The museum features more than 900 works of art from the late Middle Ages to the 20th century, including paintings, sculptures, and installations. Overall, Isère offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, adventure sports, and cultural experiences, making it a must-visit destination in France.
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