Belledonne

The chain of Belledonne is a solid mass of the the French Alps located at the doors of Grenoble, mainly in Isere, the north-eastern slope being in Savoy. It culminates with 2.977m.

Activities

In addition to the traditional pastoral activities still present, Belledonne knew a mining activity until recently; in some testify Toponyme S (collar of the Iron Mine). Turning mainly around the exploitation of iron (valley of Bréda), there were also mines of money under the Large Lance of Allemont, with the locality of Chalanches. The mines of Chalanches were worked of 1767 to 1890, initially clandestinely, then legally following many accidents. Etienne Favier, the winner of the Large Peak of Belledonne the August 16th 1859, worked there as foreman. This mining, large activity consuming wood, was principal the person in charge of the Déforestation of the solid mass.

Belledonne was also one of the cradles of the Hydro-electric power thanks to Aristide Bergès and with its paper mills with Combe-with-Lancey, or on the commune of Livet-and-Gavet.

Although near to great agglomerations, the solid mass of Belledonne knew to keep its wild side and lends itself very well the summer to the Randonnée and the winter with the Ski touring. Lastly, for some time, the collars of certain stations attract a new category of sportsmen: the chutes, which they are in roller, longskate, streetluge, buttboard…