Following Anthracite's trail in the Alps

• Located less than an hour from Grenoble, this village bears the fictional name of Lévionna in the Anthracite series. It is here that a traditional festival takes place before turning tragic. In reality, Pont-en-Royans is much more peaceful. Perched between the River Bourne, the foothills of the Vercors and a rocky outcrop, the village immediately catches the eye with its Pont Picard, but above all its suspended houses, built in the 16th century and listed as Historic Monuments since 1944. 
   
• We strongly recommend a stroll through the village, starting at the Belvédère des Trois Châteaux. The panoramic views over the Gorges de la Bourne and the Royans are well worth the effort. A surprising detail: the village has a water museum and a tasting of waters from all over the world. 
   
• Then head to the banks of the river for a picnic. Then set off for an afternoon hike in the region, which also offers a host of hiking trails just ten minutes from the village of Pont-en-Royans, accessible all year round. Saint-André-en-Royans, Presles and Choranche, with its magnificent caves in the heart of the Vercors Regional Nature Park, are all worth a visit. 
   
• Several hotels, including the Hôtel et Restaurant du Musée de l'Eau, whose kitchens feature products from Vercors farms, will welcome you for the evening and night.

• The following morning, head west to Saint-Nazaire-en-Royans to explore the Grotte de Thaïs, another film location in the Anthracite series. Traces of encampment have been discovered here, attesting to the presence of Magdalenians and Azilians over more than three millennia. It was here that Bone number 450, the first form of annotation known to man, was found. The cave also has a lot to offer in terms of geology, with its galleries, its river and its red and black colours. 
   
• The second part of the day will take you to La-Motte-d'Aveillans, and more specifically to La Mine Image, both a museum and a mining site where a particular coal was extracted for over 1,000 years: anthracite from the Matheysin plateau. Although the mines were closed for good in 1997, the La Mine Image project was launched to preserve the memory of the miners who worked there. After more than ten years of development and work, the association Sauvegarde et mise en valeur du patrimoine mottois has been able to start offering tours of the open galleries and the museum exhibition room, which reconstructs the lamp room and the ‘salle des pendus’, the miners' changing room. 
   
• At the end of the day, we head for Chamrousse, a famous resort in the Alps and the central location of the Anthracite series. After a dinner with a view at the La Croix de Chamrousse restaurant, located at an altitude of 2250m and accessible by cable car, spend the night in the cosy L'Etape du fanfoué bed and breakfast, a signatory of the Flocon Vert charter!

• Chamrousse is the ski resort where Jaro, the hero of the Anthracite series, works. It was also one of the legendary venues for the 1968 Grenoble Olympics. Chamrousse is the birthplace of skiing in France. 
   
• In winter, you can enjoy 90 km of downhill ski runs and 40 km of cross-country runs in three areas: Recoin (1650 metres altitude), Roche Béranger (1750 metres) and Bachat-Bouloud (1700 metres). And if skiing isn't your cup of tea, you can try your hand at snowshoeing, tobogganing at the Luge Park, snow tubing or ice skating at the ice rink. You can also try your hand at dog-sledding.
   
• In summer, Chamrousse remains very active with a wide range of outdoor activities. As well as hiking trails and mountain bike circuits, this Alpine resort also offers accrobranche (tree climbing), via ferrata (via ferrata) and orienteering. The more adventurous can try a night in a suspended tent at Les Villages du Bachat...

• On this, our second day in Chamrousse, we invite you to climb up to the four Roberts lakes, which appear on the poster for the Anthracite series. These deep blue lakes, perched at an altitude of almost 2000 metres, are easily accessible via the La Croix cable car. In summer, there are a number of hiking trails leading to the lakes, and you can even swim in them. In winter, there are two activities on offer: downhill skiing and ice diving. Whatever the season, don't miss this excursion to Robert Lakes. 
   
• Chamrousse has been awarded the ‘Flocon Vert’ label, and offers a wide range of sustainable activities, so you can make the most of the mountain scenery while keeping your footprint to a minimum.

• Heading north, two other lakes in the Alps are not to be missed. On the other side of the Chartreuse Regional Nature Park is Lac d'Aiguebelette, France's seventh-largest natural lake. This is where you'll find the ‘chalet de la secte des Ecrins’, or rather the round house at Lépin-le-Lac, the key location in the Anthracite series. In high summer or in winter snow, there are many hiking trails to discover the region at your own pace. You won't be disturbed by combustion engine boats. These have been banned from the lake since 1967 to protect the quality of the water and the peace and quiet of visitors. 
   
• The larger Lac du Bourget is also a great place to relax. Just a few kilometres north-east of Lépin-le-Lac, you can discover Aix-Les-Bains, stroll along its esplanade or take a boat trip. You can also recharge your batteries in one of the many wellness centres, such as La Parenthèse or La Maison l'Instant. Aix-les-Bains isn't France's fourth-largest spa town for nothing!

Find out more :

• Discover the Alps in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region

Read also :

• More ideas for holidays in the Alps