Biviers - Saint Pancrasse
THE GRÉSIVAUDAN CASTLES
The Grésivaudan Valley, which extends from Grenoble to Chambéry, has always been an important region for travel. Its alluvial fertile lands were also attractive to the Savoyards who have rocky soil that can only grow vines.
During the Middle Ages, the northern part of the valley was a border zone that was defended by numerous castles such as those in Bellecombe, and Pontcharra as well as ones in La Buissière on the right bank of the Isère, and Avalon and Morêtel on the left bank.
To retain control over these zones (called "Les Marches") the Dauphinois and Savoyards built small wood and earth constructions called "bâties". Examples can be found across from Avalon inMont-Briton or along the Glandon stream in the Chapareillan plain.
The castles in the middle of the valley, and further from the combat areas, were fiefdoms granted by the Dauphins to their family members. The castles on the right bank of the Isère in Montfleury, Montbonnot, la tour d’Arces, La Terrasse, Monfort and Le Touvet as well as the Frette castle, belonged to François de Beaumont, Baron of the Adrets. On the left bank, the castles belonged to Theys and La Pierre. These castles were slowly abandoned after the Dauphiné-Savoie wars of the 14th century. They were dismantled at the end of the 16th century to keep them out of the hands of bandits during the Religious Wars. During the same period, the Duke of Savoie built the Saint Barthélémy Fort in Barraux which was one of the first fortified strongholds in France. It later became Fort Barraux.
Bayard
"The Knight without fear and beyond reproach"
Pierre du Terrail (Château de Bayard, Pontcharra 1475 - Romagnano Sesia, Milanais 1524)
Pierre du Terrail, "Seigneur de Bayard" was one of those historical figures whose exemplary life gave birth to a legend that lasted through the centuries. Jacques Maille, one of his comrades-in-arms, spread word of his bravery through his writings in: "Très joyeuse, plaisante et récréative histoire du Chevalier Bayard" ("A very happy, pleasant and fun history of Chevalier Bayard"). The quote "a Knight without fear and beyond reproach", which describes Bayard's life and personality, is still well-known to this day.
Chevalier de Bayard was admired both during his life and long there after much in the way Jeanne d'Arc or Du Gesclin inspire us. Although a subordinate leader without a high placed position (François I did state that he merited the highest functions) Bayard's renown surpasses that of many characters who held more important positions or titles. The classic image of Bayard is that of a perfect knight who knew not only how to fight but also to defend the oppressed and resist the plundering of conquered cities. In some ways, he is the successor to the medieval conception of honor.
He is one of the most important, if not the most important, personalities of the Grésivaudan.He was the lieutenant général du Dauphiné, with close ties to the d'Arces family through blood, friendship, and military comradery.
It is not certain that the captain d'Arces was from the Grésivaudan. But it was under his orders that Bayard learned to fight, and later they were comrades both in charge of commanding troops. Although we do not know his origins, this brave captain is cited numerous times in the biographies of Bayard. However the Knight Antoine d'Arces,who accompanied Bayard later on, is indeed from Bivier. When Bayard prepared an expedition into Italy, he called upon Antoine d'Arces, who had just gotten married. Bayard's history is of importance for Biviers for other reasons as well. For almost 50 years, the seigneurs de Montbives (Simiane bloodline) were also the seigneurs de Bayard as they inherited the title, rights and even the ruins of the Bayard castle in Pontcharra.
The Arces family
This family played a key role in the Grésivaudan. They controlled Montbives for two centuries (including during Bayard's life). They ordered the construction of Serviantin. Also under their control were the castles: de Meylan (called la Bâtie at the time, built on the ruins of the Château Corbeau), another castle (also called la Bâtie) and the tour d'Arces in Saint-Ismier...
The captain Louis d'Arces is constantly cited in the biographies of Bayard.In addition, the younger Antoine de Morard d'Arces, called the White Knight, was also a comrade-in-arms of Bayard in Italy. Antoine de Morard d'Arces was also called the last errant knight and had a lively and adventurous life.
Tourist information
Sentier des Sanas Plateau des Petites Roches
The San'Art trail is a walking route created by the children of the Le Plateau schools and the "Les Milieux" association, providing access to the site of the former Saint Hilaire hospital, which will be demolished at the end of 2018.
Chartreuse educational garden of culinary and medicinal plants Plateau des Petites Roches
Discover Le Plateau des Petites Roches and the beautiful Chartreuse massif in a whole new way! Educational outings with a guide: wonder, excitement and surprises to share!
Belvedere of Le Puy Plateau des Petites Roches
From the Belvédère du Puy, you can enjoy lovely panoramic views of the Belledonne massif, the Grésivaudan valley and Mont Blanc.
Cascade des Dioux Plateau des Petites Roches
You'll discover the magnificent Dioux waterfall on the Tour des Petites Roches trail, near the old Porte Traine mill (in Saint Hilaire du Touvet).
Porte Traine mill Plateau des Petites Roches
You can see the Porte Traine mill on the Tour des Petites Roches hike, close to the Dioux waterfall. It is one of the oldest buildings on the plateau.
Bec Margain viewpoint indicator Plateau des Petites Roches
Superb view of Mont-Blanc from Mont-aiguille. One of the most beautiful panoramas in the Alps!
La Dent de Crolles Plateau des Petites Roches
La Dent de Crolles is a limestone peak overlooking the Grésivaudan valley on the edge of the Hauts de Chartreuse nature reserve. Its special feature is that it is completely hollow, with an underground network covering 55 km and over a 600 m drop in altitude.
Le Col du Coq Plateau des Petites Roches
Located between St Pierre de Chartreuse and Les Petites Roches, and the starting point for the Dent de Crolles, the Bec Charvet or the Pravouta tour. Views of the Chartreuse and the Belledonne mountain range.
St Michel chapel Plateau des Petites Roches
This chapel, whose choir has a stone vault dating from the 11th century and whose exterior was rebuilt in the 17th century, was once a place of worship for the inhabitants of St Michel du Touvet. A Cistercian atmosphere. Open all year round.
Bonjour,
Pour réserver le gite étape de st Pancrasse merci de contacter le 07 88 17 50 51.
Gîtes de 10 personnes.
Si vous souhaitez des repas merci de contacter la Pizzeria Sous La dent ,possibilité de faire des petits déjeuner et pique-nique. Attention fermer le lundi et mardi.
Au plaisir de vous accueillir.
Bénédicte Rocher nouvelle gestionnaire depuis octobre 2022.
Le gîte municipal est parfait.
Le restaurant 'Sous la dent' prépare sur demande petits déjeuners et paniers pique-nique copieux.
Superbe gîte top moderne dans l'immeuble de la mairie. Communication pour la réservation etc. un peu difficile. Quand le bistrot est fermé, la prochaine possibilité de se ravitailler est à plusieurs km. (auto stop).
Suite au regroupement des 3 communes en 2019, pour réserver les gîtes communaux, la fruitière de St Bernard et le gîte de groupe de St Pancrasse, s'adresser à :
Monsieur Chétoine Frédéric au 06 37 10 63 09.
Les gîtes communaux de St Hilaire sont gérés, dans le cadre d'une délégation de service public, par M et Mme Buisson Vincent et Sandra, que vous pouvez contacter au 06 32 37 01 03 ou 06 46 38 55 28.
Tous les gîtes sont labellisés "gîtes de France" et sont visibles sur le site
www.gîtes-de-france.com/fr
Vous êtes les bienvenus !
Vraiment parfait le gîte d'étape !avec en plus le resto"sous la dent " bon et à l'accueil sympathique
si on n'est pas nombreux on peut aussi louer un studio chez Mme Chatelet 06.74.77.19.42, accueil chaleureux, et ensuite le resto "sous la dent est parfait", panier repas et petit déjeuner tres abondants!
il y a aussi une epicerie à saint hilaire du Touvet à gauche drrière la gare du funiculaire.
Le gîte communal de Saint-Pancrasse vient de réouvrir, entièrement refait à neuf. (10 couchages au lieu des 8 précédents et 2 lavabos, 2 douches, cuisine, wc) Pour les réservations, s'adresser à la mairie de St Pancrasse, pour le moment.
Il est aussi possible de prendre ses repas au bar-restaurant "Sous la Dent"(ouverture du mercredi au dimanche soir), ainsi que les petits déjeuners, et paniers repas sur commande.
Le gîte communal, en travaux pour mise en sécurité, réouvrira courant mai 2018. Sa capacité de couchage a été portée à 10 personnes.
Gite chez Gaby 763gabiol@gmail.com tel:06-74-77-19-42 La dame est genereuse et sa chambre d'hote belle et proper.
Gite chez Gaby 763gabiol@gmail.com tel:06-74-77-19-42 La dame est genereuse et sa chambre d'hote belle et propre. St-Pancrasse est un de nos villages coup-de-Coeur. C'est magique!
Restauration :
Bar-restaurant-pizzeria SOUS LA DENT sur la place de St Pancrasse
Tél. 04 76 98 70 31
Ouvert tous les jours sauf lundi et mardi. Cependant des repas peuvent être servis les lundis et mardis, sur réservation, pour des groupes de plus de 5 personnes. Réserver également pour des petits déjeuners.
Des pique-niques peuvent être confectionnés, sur demande.
Pour ceux qui font la variante Sur les pas des Huguenots à "vélo" :
Atelier ATV CYCLES à Saint Pancrasse, route des Meunières.
Alexandre Lavail : entretien-réparation-restauration(VTT,VTC,Route,Vélo trekking,électrique)
T/06 08 46 55 04 www.atv-cycles.fr
alex@atv-cycles.fr
Le sol de la Chartreuse produit presque toutes les fleurs remarquables qu'on trouve dans les Alpes : une centaine de variété d'orchidées dont le fameux sabot de la vierge et la célèbre vulnéraire des Chartreux.
A voir (avril à mi août) et à respecter car les orchidées sont des fleurs fragiles.
Hébergements à St Pancrasse :
- Gîte communal, à côté Mairie (8 pers.)
Contact tél.04 76 08 32 85 aux heures d'ouverture de la Mairie
- Jean Marc et Sylvia Monfroy - chemin de St Pierre à Saint Pancrasse.
Contact tél.04 76 40 51 78 ou 09 51 95 19 60
- Chez Gaby (studio 2 personnes) - chemin de St Pierre à Saint Pancrasse
Contact tél.06 74 77 19 42
chemin de St Pierre St Pancrasse
contact tél.0674771942
Tourist Offices
Les Petites Roches Tourist Information Office Tourism institutionsPlateau des Petites Roches
Located in the heart of the Chartreuse Regional Nature Park, Le Plateau des Petites Roches is a mid-mountain village that welcomes you in summer and winter with warmth and friendliness.
Accommodation Partners
Saint Pancrasse stopover gîte Group gîtePlateau des Petites Roches
Gite for 10 people in the heart of the village of St Pancrasse, completely refurbished in 2018. "Sous la Dent" pizzeria/bar 20 metres away, other shops 3 km away.
La Fruitière group and stopover gîte Group gîtePlateau des Petites Roches
Communal group and stopover gîte for 15 people. 4 bedrooms with bathroom/WC, refurbished in December 2022.
Other Accommodations
Chalet Les Balcons de Marcieu - 6/8 places Furnished accommodation and GîtesPlateau des Petites Roches
Motorhome service area Camper van service/reception areaPlateau des Petites Roches
Free, open-access service area with waste disposal (next to Les Petites Roches campsite, opposite the tennis court).
Le Fenil bed and breakfast Bed & breakfastPlateau des Petites Roches
Marie-Odile and Yves welcome you to their warm and comfortable mountain setting. Panoramic views of the Chartreuse and Belledonne ranges.
Gîte Pierre Dorée Group gîtePlateau des Petites Roches
An apartment for 12/15 people located at the foot of the slopes in the St Hilaire resort.
Restaurants
The Kiosque Sucré Salé RestaurantPlateau des Petites Roches
The “Sucré Salé” Kiosk will be your break and tasting point with artisanal ice creams, gluten-free pancakes, organic snacks and drinks as well as other homemade sweets depending on the season.
Le Funiculaire restaurant RestaurantPlateau des Petites Roches
Panoramic restaurant adjacent to the funicular station. Traditional menu featuring regional products. Open 7 days a week in summer.
Sous la Dent pizzeria restaurant RestaurantPlateau des Petites Roches
Situated at the foot of the Dent de Crolles with a terrace offering beautiful views of the Chartreuse and Belledonne mountains. Restaurant separate from the bar. Terrace with park, children's play area and pétanque area nearby.
La Grange aux Loups restaurant RestaurantPlateau des Petites Roches
This restaurant is located at the foot of the ski slopes, offering panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and the Dent de Crolles. Enjoy the fresh mountain air and traditional dishes on the sunny terrace!
La Renardière restaurant RestaurantPlateau des Petites Roches
Come and enjoy our traditional regional cuisine in the heart of the forest. At the foot of the Col de Marcieu ski resort, open in summer and winter, you can also enjoy the Col de Marcieu play area
Baribal restaurant RestaurantPlateau des Petites Roches
You can enjoy our creative and colourful menu of dishes in the shade of the lime trees or in the dining area.
Snack de la Virgule RestaurantPlateau des Petites Roches
The snack bar is located on the Col de Marcieu in the heart of the Chartreuse massif. We offer a snack-style catering service, combining fast food with healthy, local produce.
L'Estive du Haut RestaurantPlateau des Petites Roches
Located just before Les Ayes car park on the Col du Coq, l'Estive du Haut offers a range of mountain-style snacks: diots, mountain platters (Chartreuse cheese and charcuterie), tarts and traditional beers, available to eat in or take away.