Saint-Hilaire: Aviation History, Hiking and Culture

Saint-Hilaire brings together aviation history, culture and outdoor activities. If you are looking for a hotel for your stay, it helps to first decide what you want to focus on during your trip: history and film, hiking or paragliding. The offerings also differ in whether they focus on a day hike, a guided walk with information or an overview of air sports.

Culture and aviation history

The Funiculaire de Saint Hilaire du Touvet was built between 1920 and 1924 to serve the spa facilities on the Plateau des Petites Roches. The funicular railway entered service on July 19, 1924. The Laboratoire d'Icare adds an engaging, educational museographic space devoted to air, flight and gravity to the aviation theme. Alongside the history of the railway, the focus is therefore also on physics.

Icare du Cinéma, the Festival International du Film Aérien, was established in 1983 and now welcomes almost 5,000 spectators. Around 100 film productions from around the world are part of the festival each year. The program may vary from one edition to the next. Icarnaval has a different focus: since 1983, it has been an emblem of the Coupe Icare for the general public. More than 100 paraglider and hang-glider pilots from around the world take part in the competition; participation varies with each edition. While the film festival focuses on the productions, Icarnaval is about the participating pilots and the competition.

Hiking and outdoor activities

The “Randonnée et histoire du Plateau” hike loops around the village of Saint-Hilaire. This moderately difficult day hike covers about 8 kilometers and around 500 meters of elevation gain. Its historical arc stretches from the Neolithic period through medieval village life, with its castle and mills, to more recent history, including the funicular railway, sanatoriums, ski resort and free flight. The route combines physical activity with several periods of local history.

Another option is the “Saint Hilaire du Touvet - Parcours d’orientation Patrimoine” orienteering course on the Dioux loop. The markers are located near places of interest, and at each station you can discover information about the surrounding area. Several easy paths also invite you to take a stroll from the Funiculaire’s upper station. These paths and the moderately difficult day hike differ in their starting points and levels of difficulty.

For views of the Belledonne range, there are five paragliding launch sites in St Hilaire du Touvet, all offering exceptional views. Flying is weather-dependent. When planning, also bear in mind the current restrictions: the Sentier du Pal de Fer is closed under a municipal order, and it is not possible to descend on foot there. All via ferratas at the Funiculaire de Saint Hilaire du Touvet are closed until further notice. Check the current status of individual trails before setting out.

Getting to the Plateau des Petites Roches

You can reach the Plateau des Petites Roches from Grenoble and Chambéry via the A41, the Le Touvet exit and then the signs for Saint-Hilaire du Touvet. There is also a direct bus service from Grenoble to Saint-Hilaire du Touvet. Check current road and bus connections before your trip. This information will help you plan your journey to the plateau; the hikes, cultural offerings and flying activities described each have their own focus.

Discover more destinations: Ponsonnas, Le Touvet, Chapareillan, Saint-Clair-Du-Rhône, Saint-Egrève, Corbelin, Villard-Reculas, Saint-Paul-lès-Monestier

For the broader travel overview: Isere.