Saint-Étienne-De-Crossey: Climbing and Heritage

Saint-Étienne-De-Crossey offers several different starting points for planning a trip: climbing routes in the Gorges de Crossey, a guided Via corda, a cycling tour starting from the town, as well as historic buildings and local produce. If you are looking for a hotel for a stay in this destination, it helps to decide first what you want to focus on during your trip. The outdoor activities differ from one another; meanwhile, the chapel, mill and parish church each tell a different part of the town’s history.

Climbing and Via corda in the Gorges de Crossey

The Site d'escalade des Gorges de Crossey climbing area has 208 routes graded from 3 to 7c, most of them in grades 5 and 6. The area is suitable for beginners and for developing your climbing skills. The number of routes and the grades listed give the climbing area a clear profile.

From Voiron, reach the climbing area via the D520 towards Saint-Laurent-du-Pont. About 1 km after Saint-Étienne-de-Crossey, the access to the gorges begins; you can park in one of the roadside parking areas. The walk to the climbing area takes 5 to 12 minutes. Via corda de Crossey is a guided, secured activity through rock ledges and cliffs, with climbing sections. The two climbing options therefore differ in concrete ways: the area offers numerous routes with specified grades, while the Via corda is defined by the guide and the route through the rocks.

Chapel, mill and parish church

The chapel of Château de Tolvon was dedicated to Saint Denis in the 13th century; a pilgrimage developed there. This dedication and pilgrimage give the site a religious focus in the town’s history. At Étang Dauphin, a different historic function takes centre stage: the mill there was used to produce flour between the 18th and 20th centuries. Millstones and a pisé structure attest to this use and make the connection with former flour production tangible.

The Église Saint-Etienne is located in the town centre. This parish church has a single-nave floor plan in the shape of a Latin cross. The floor plan describes the layout of the church interior; the neoclassical façade is characteristic of the mid-19th century. At the church, you can therefore observe both its basic layout and a specific architectural style. It complements the chapel’s religious history with a concrete look at the design of the parish church.

Cycling tour and local produce

The Tour de Baracuchet cycling tour starts at the Gymnase in Saint-Étienne-de-Crossey, heads towards Tolvon and then continues through wooded hills. With its starting point in town, direction towards Tolvon and the following section through the hills, it offers a different focus from the climbing activities.

In Saint-Étienne-de-Crossey, La poule aux fruits d'or sells certified organic fruit preserves, compotes, sorbets, syrups and coulis. The range also includes eggs, various types of bread and brioche. This is direct sales from a producer; product availability may vary. If you are planning to buy a particular product, take this possible change in the range into account.

Plan your stay around your interests

Consider which of these themes matters most for your stay; this will help you tailor your search to the reason for your trip.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Saint-Étienne-De-Saint-Geoirs, Noyarey, La Mure, La Combe-de-Lancey, Bellegarde-Poussieu, Charette, Gresse-En-Vercors, Le Freney-Dʼoisans

For the higher-level travel overview: Isere.