Discover the best of Isère through inspiring ideas and unforgettable experiences. Get closer to nature, embrace new discoveries and fall in love with this unique destination.
6 mountaintop inns
The inviting warmth of wood, a crackling fire in the fireplace, delicious and invigorating cuisine… the scene is set! Here are a few great places to eat at altitude, located at trail crossroads and all easily accessible within a thirty-minute walk, so you can refuel in the heart of winter.
Le Clariant
#1Vercors
From Corrençon-en-Vercors, leave your car behind and follow the GR91 trail for 2 kilometres on foot, snowshoes or cross-country skis.
At an altitude of 1,200 metres, Le Clariant is a cosy log cabin nestled in a pristine natural setting. The walk is sure to sharpen your appetite for the simple, generous mountain cuisine.
Step inside to a wonderfully enchanting atmosphere, with a wooden décor, stone floor, and the warm glow of a fireplace, candles and storm lanterns.
Indulge in a rich ravioli gratin with Bleu du Vercors-Sassenage cheese or a raclette with local Vercors cheeses. Afterwards, you’ll be ready and refreshed to continue your walk or head back down to the village under the stars, guided by the light of a torch you lit from the outdoor brazier.
It is, quite simply, magical.
Auberge Nemoz
#2Belledonne
Just an hour from Grenoble, via Allevard-les-Bains, nestled in the charming, secluded Haut-Bréda valley, you’ll find the Nemoz inn, an authentic stone and wood chalet in the heart of a clearing on the edge of the forest. A magnificent open fireplace takes pride of place in the centre of the inn. This is where traditional raclette is prepared over a wood fire: the house speciality!
The inn is a starting point for numerous hiking trails to destinations like the Sept Laux lakes, the Pic de la Belle-Étoile or the Combe Madame. In winter, you can click on your cross-country skis right in front of the chalet or head to the Les Sept Laux resort, just 10 minutes away.
Auberge des Allières
#3Vercors
The walk along the forest road to the Auberge Aux Allières is sure to work up an appetite. Nestled on the mountain pasture and recognisable by its distinctive slate-gabled roof, this inn has a reputation for serving consistently delicious food. “Aux Allières, it’s always good!” is what you’ll hear about this charming inn.
Whether you’re stopping for a quick salad before tackling the climb to Pic Saint Michel, enjoying a homemade snack on the sun-warmed wooden terrace, or gathering with friends for a hearty meal by the fireplace, there’s something for everyone. From a wood-fired leg of lamb to a rich Vercouline, you’ll find the perfect dish to refuel. For a full meal, it is highly recommended to book in advance.
Ferme de Brévardière
#4Chartreuse
At the foot of Chamechaude, on the road to Col du Coq, La Brévardière is an authentic farm in the purest Chartreuse tradition, complete with its unique “essendoles” roofs. Visitors come here to enjoy delicious specialities like Chamechaude saffron dishes, Chartreuse meats and cheeses, and garden vegetables – all with a view of the massif’s iconic peaks.
Ideally situated in the heart of the mountains, a stone’s throw from the monastery and church of Saint-Hugues and close to hiking trails, La Brévardière is a must-visit destination.
The farm is also an excellent starting point for exploring nearby treasures like the Charmant Som mountain pasture, the small resort of Les Égaux, and the Valombré road.
Auberge de Malaterre
#5Vercors
Visiting Malaterre is like embarking on a timeless journey full of mystery.
Bernard and Lydia await you in their cabin, nestled in the heart of the Alloubière forest in Villard-de-Lans since 1904. After a pleasant 4 km walk from Bois Barbu, Malaterre appears in a clearing, just like in a children’s story.
Once you push open the door, you are welcomed by candlelight and the rustling of grandmothers’ petticoats. As if by magic, the table comes alive with the most precious and delicious dishes: caillettes and fresh bacon, ravioli gratin and chestnut soup…
Try the wood-fired, perfectly caramelised tartes tatins! And if you’re feeling nostalgic for old-fashioned treats, indulge in a cup of hot chocolate and bite into long slices of homemade bread dripping with blueberry jam!
As evening falls, let yourself be carried away by tales and legends. Shiver as you make your way back under the stars, thinking of Gaston, the mighty Vercors bear, who once roamed these snowy forests.
Le Banc de l’Ours
#6Eleonore and David have lovingly restored an old sheepfold on the forest edge overlooking the Autrans valley, at the crossroads of cross-country ski trails and hiking paths. Le Banc de l’Ours is now a magical stop where, after a short 20-minute walk from the village of Autrans, you can enjoy a hearty mountain meal.
The setting features rustic charm with old wood and stone throughout: large tables and benches on the terrace, a welcoming reception area with an old wood-burning stove still in use, a cozy downstairs room glowing with a chandelier’s soft, warm light, and a large upstairs room with massive tables and a candlelit chandelier.
Gather around the fire for a convivial and unique experience, all while soaking in an incomparable view of the Vercors mountains.
