Rives: Industrial Heritage, Architecture and Hiking
Accommodation in Rives
Rives offers a range of themes, from industrial history and architecture to green spaces and a marked hiking loop. You can therefore choose different focuses for your stay: historical development, sacred art or time outdoors. Rives station is served by numerous TER trains to Grenoble or Lyon. Check the timetables for your travel date, as train services may change.
Industrial history and buildings
The Viaduc du Pont-du-bœuf crosses the Fure, stands 45 metres high and has sixteen round arches. Its height and sequence of arches give a concrete sense of the scale of the structure. The first metallurgical activities in Rives date back to the 12th century. The former church of the Priory of Saint-Vallier also dates from that century. This makes it possible to distinguish two different historical traces from this period: early metallurgy and the former priory church.
The Chapelle des Papeteries was built in 1847 by the Blanchet family. Inside, the murals are by Alexandre Debelle; he also designed the templates for the chapel’s stained-glass windows. The market hall in Rives was built in 1858 and has carried the “Patrimoine en Isère” label since 2018. The year it was built and the year it received the label mark different milestones: the label came later and does not date the construction of the hall.
Art and visiting the Église Saint-Valère
The stained-glass windows of the Église Saint-Valère bear the signatures of Balmet, Bégule and Gaudin. Alfred Berruyer’s plans and estimates for the church were approved in 1893. The signatures and the year of approval provide different clues to the history of its art and construction: the names appear on the windows, while 1893 dates the approval of the plans and estimates.
The Église Saint-Valère is open and free to enter every day from January 1 to December 31. Check the opening details before your visit, as they may change.
Green spaces and nature along the Fure
In Rives, the Val de Fure is a green space for recreation. Parc de l’Orgère features a large central lawn, concrete steps and a wood-effect concrete bridge. There are also grottoes and stone features from which water flows. One distinctive design feature is the wood-effect concrete bridge; grottoes and water features made of stone complement the central lawn.
The wider Fure corridor, with its wet meadows and damp woodland, serves as a passage for wildlife between Lac de Paladru and the Isère Valley.
The La Vallée de la Fure hiking loop
The La Vallée de la Fure hiking loop in Rives is of moderate difficulty, 7.8 km long and has 120 m of ascent. It is marked at major junctions with yellow paint and directional posts. Distance, elevation gain and difficulty rating answer different planning questions: together, they show not only the distance but also the ascent and stated difficulty. This lets you compare the key details with your planned hiking day. Check current trail conditions before setting out, as they may change.
Discover more destinations: Chantesse, La Motte-Saint-Martin, SĂ©chilienne, Meylan, Chantelouve, Chonas-L'amballan, Montagnieu, Valjouffrey
For the wider travel overview: Isere.
