Saint-Martin-Le-Vinoux combines a distinctive architectural history with opportunities for hiking and cycling. This offers a range of options when planning your stay: buildings from different periods, a year-round cultural programme and outdoor routes with clearly differing levels of difficulty.
Architectural heritage: from formwork cement to exposed concrete
At the entrance to Saint-Martin-Le-Vinoux stands La Casamaures, a protected historic monument. It is protected for its distinctive Orientalist style and innovative formwork-cement construction. Built in the Moorish style in 1867, it was among the first buildings to use the formwork-cement technique developed by the Vicat brothers. It therefore brings together a clearly defined architectural style and a construction technique that was ahead of its time.
The Église Saint-Jean-Marie-Vianney offers a different perspective. Jean Cognet designed the church in 1958, and it is built from exposed concrete. Coloured glass panels alternate with concrete slabs in a continuous opening beneath the roof. The stained-glass motifs are by Gabriel and Jacques Loire, and the frescoes were created by Elisabeth Meyer. The interplay of materials and colours sets the design apart from the formwork-cement architecture of La Casamaures.
Two dates should be distinguished for Notre-Dame de l’Annonciation: its history has been documented since the 11th century, while the present-day church was rebuilt in 1826. Saint-Martin-Le-Vinoux thus has both a written record reaching far back in time and a specific date for the construction of the current church.
Hiking and cycling with different levels of difficulty
The “La Bastille et le Jalla depuis Saint-Martin-le-Vinoux” hiking route runs from Saint-Martin-Le-Vinoux to the Bastille of Grenoble and then up Mont Jalla. It is a difficult 9-kilometre circular hike with 520 metres of ascent. When estimating the time and effort required, consider not only the distance but also the stated difficulty and elevation gain. The city has also put together a guide to several hikes for exploring Saint-Martin-Le-Vinoux.
Le Néron is suitable for mountaineering and hiking. It is also home to a former military installation from the late 19th century that can be visited. The batteries include a tunnel about 50 metres long. The site therefore combines a specific military-historical context with a notable architectural feature.
The “Boucle vélo du Néron” cycling loop is intended for experienced cyclists: it has more than 500 metres of ascent and a section with a gradient of over 10 percent. In Saint-Martin-Le-Vinoux, the route follows the cycle lane on Avenue du Général-Leclerc (D1075) after the town hall. The hiking route is listed as 9 kilometres with 520 metres of ascent; for the cycling loop, the steep section and its classification for experienced cyclists are the key considerations. The available information describes different levels of difficulty, so the two routes cannot be compared solely by a shared distance.
Cultural programme, nature and getting around
At the Maison des Moaïs, the city and associations of Saint-Martin-Le-Vinoux offer a varied year-round cultural programme for the general public and school groups. The Maison is accessible to people with reduced mobility. It is a two-minute walk from the Horloge stop on tram line E.
Tram line E serves four stops in the lower part of the municipality: Casamaures-Village near Grenoble, Hôtel de Ville, Horloge and Néron. For your journey, it is best to check the current timetable for the line.
Nature and local markets are also among the place’s notable features. Étang Pique-Pierre is designated as a biodiversity reservoir in the centre of Saint-Martin-Le-Vinoux. A market selling local producers’ goods is held at Place du Village. Together with the range of buildings and outdoor routes, this offers a choice of culture, nature and activities that you can tailor to your interests.
Discover more destinations: Saint-Paul-lès-Monestier, La Ferrière, Saint-Pierre-D'allevard, Sillans, Siccieu-Saint-Julien-Et-Carisieu, Bouvesse-Quirieu, Laval, Pisieu.
For the regional travel overview: Isere.
