Pont-Évêque: Wetlands, recreation and industrial history

Pont-Évêque offers several distinct highlights for a stay: an extensive wetland with rare and protected species, a mapped orienteering course, sports and play facilities, and places and institutions connected with cultural and industrial history. You can plan your visit around the subject that interests you most. Nature, activity and history reveal different sides of the town—from the Espace Naturel Sensible to specific recreational activities, as well as the media library and industrial heritage.

Wet meadows and biodiversity

The Espace Naturel Sensible des prairies inondables de Pont-Évêque covers 80 hectares and has been classified as an Espace Naturel Sensible since 2004. The area includes three watercourses and springs, as well as a mosaic of different wetland habitats. Rare and protected species found there include the Mercury bluet, the European brook lamprey, the kingfisher and the marsh fritillary. The area’s natural character is therefore not defined by a single species: its varied habitats and the species found in them are equally integral to its character.

Orienteering and activity

The Parcours d’Orientation de Pont-Évêque is a purpose-built, mapped area for recreational orienteering, which also encourages visitors to discover the local heritage. It is suitable for families with children, school groups and beginners. The orienteering course is rated easy, is 2 kilometres long and has an elevation difference of 5 metres; the stated duration is 45 minutes. This gives you the length, elevation difference and time as practical details for planning your visit. Unlike the nature reserve, whose size is given in hectares, the course focuses on a physical activity with a specified duration.

Sports facilities and arcade games

The Aire de Sport et Loisirs Outdoor opened in 2025 and has been freely accessible since its opening. The facility includes a skatepark, a multi-sport court, a rebound wall and two 3-on-3 basketball courts. Several different sports areas are available, including skateboarding and basketball facilities.

The arcade at Game Center La Turbine offers, among other things, child-friendly machines for ages 3 and up, fighting games, driving simulators, basketball arcade games, pool tables and darts. The venue caters to visitors aged 3 to 103. Once a month on a Friday, Game Center hosts Suave Latino, featuring salsa and bachata. If you are planning to attend on a particular Friday, check the event dates in advance.

Industrial history and cultural activities

The Fonderies et forges de Pont-Évêque were founded by the Lyon industrialists Frèrejean. The industrial complex comprised workshops, buildings and gardens for housing workers. Another part of the area’s papermaking heritage is the Papeterie de Mornes, founded by Jean Cartallier in 1850. Together, these two sites point to different aspects of local industrial history.

The Médiathèque Boris Vian complements the historical themes with a wide range of cultural and media resources. It lends books, magazines, CDs, DVDs, e-readers and digital documents. Board games, story kits and tablets are available on site; film screenings for children are offered on request. The media library also regularly hosts authors and presents exhibitions. In addition, it organises numerous events for schools and the general public, including the Prix Nord Isère, La Nuit de la Lecture and Partir en Livre. The cultural activities range from lending and on-site activities to events for different audiences.

Discover more destinations: La Salle-En-Beaumont, Saint-Baudille-De-La-Tour, Saint-Nazaire-Les-Eymes, Le Monestier-du-Percy, Saint-Hilaire, Susville, Pommiers-La-Place, Velanne.

For the broader travel overview: Isere.