Founded in 1873, the town of Pont-de-Claix is celebrating its 150 years of existence this year. Located in the heart of the Grenoble Alpes Métropole conurbation and surrounded by the Belledonne, Chartreuse and Vercors mountain ranges, it is the gateway to the southern entrance of the urban area. The town’s industrial dynamism has marked its history: specialised in the paper industry in the 19th century, it was able to develop and adapt its industrial fabric to make it both innovative and attentive to environmental issues. Thanks to a diversified and competitive economy based around almost 300 businesses, some of which are renowned, it makes a significant contribution to the reputation of the Isère department. Undergoing constant urban change, the town has taken advantage of its industrial history to make its territory a social asset for its population of 10,500. This autumn, the town will witness the opening of the brand-new metropolitan science centre Cosmocité and its planetarium!
 

At the centre of the Grenoble Alpes Métropole conurbation, the beating heart of a catchment area in the Isère department with a population of almost 700,000, the city of Grenoble lies between the Vercors, Chartreuse and Belledonne mountain ranges. Grenoble was the green capital of Europe in 2022, is an innovative and solidarity promoting area, can lay claim to being a pioneer in ecology and social justice and is the new French capital of cycling: from everyday bicycles to the racing bikes used to tackle the Alpine passes, from those who cycle to work to mountain bikers speeding down the slopes, from monocycles to BMX bikes, cycling is now a part of the DNA of the area’s population. Indeed, the first Yellow Jersey on the Tour de France was awarded in Grenoble, 104 years ago! Since then, the city has established itself as an essential stage location for cycling races and is proud to welcome the finish of the Critérium du Dauphiné, at the summit of the legendary site of La Bastille.