Discover La Sône from three perspectives: its garden and tufa springs, the Isère landscape, and the history of the village. The Jardin des Fontaines Pétrifiantes brings together geological features and plant diversity, while the Sentier du Martin-Pêcheur turns your attention to the river environment and its birds. Cycling routes and water sports round out these perspectives. You can tailor your stay to whether you are more interested in natural features, activities on the water or local history.
Tufa and plants at the Jardin des Fontaines Pétrifiantes
Below La Sône, springs form tufa: this light, porous rock develops when mosses and plants become coated with limestone. You can observe this phenomenon at the Jardin des Fontaines Pétrifiantes. The garden is home to more than 800 plant species, including rare exotic, Mediterranean, aquatic and tropical plants. Here, a specific geological formation sits alongside a wide variety of plant groups. The Jardin holds the French “Jardin remarquable” label, a permanent national heritage designation awarded to it on 22 December 2017. If you are interested in gardens, you’ll find a focus on nature and gardening that also explores how tufa forms.
Birdwatching by the Isère
The Sentier du Martin-Pêcheur runs alongside a biodiverse stretch of the Isère. The trail offers opportunities to observe birds, and three information panels explain the river’s natural environment. This offers a different focus from the garden: here, the emphasis is on birdwatching and the river landscape rather than plant diversity and tufa formation. If you’d like to discover both sides of nature in La Sône, the garden and the trail cover different topics, without requiring any particular length of stay.
Cycling route and activities on the water
La Sône is a possible stop along La Belle Via cycling route, which follows the Isère. Check current route conditions before setting off. Canoeing and kayaking activities are offered on the calm waters of the Isère under the guidance of Club Aviron Sud Grésivaudan; they are suitable for both beginners and experienced participants. The main difference between cycling and paddling is how you experience the Isère: La Belle Via is the cycling route, while canoeing and kayaking are activities on the water. You can decide which focus better suits your stay based on how you plan to get around.
Local history and village festival
The Tour de La Sône is a fortified building dating from the 12th century. Today, it houses two exhibition rooms with objects relating to the history of the village. Alongside the garden, river and activities, this landmark offers a specific way to explore the history of La Sône.
Another occasion is the Fête de la Truitelle Sônoise, a traditional village festival. The municipal administration confirms the date and programme each year. If you want to plan your stay around the festival, base your plans on this annual confirmation.
Discover more destinations: Villeneuve-De-Marc, Oris-en-Mattrier, Le Bourg-D'oisans, Claix, Hières-sur-Amby, Échirolles, Chantesse, Seyssins.
For the regional travel overview: Isere.
