Saint-Hilaire-du-Touvet

Saint-Hilaire-du-Touvet is a limestone plateau in the commune of Plateau-des-Petites-Roches, perched nearly 900 metres above the Grésivaudan valley in the Chartreuse massif, in the Isère department. Rimmed by cliffs and forest, this rock balcony has for decades drawn free-flight enthusiasts and travelers after an Alpine panorama without a long uphill hike.

How do you get up to the plateau?

The signature way up is the Saint-Hilaire funicular, one of the steepest funicular railways in Europe. The line covers roughly 1.5 km and climbs more than 800 metres of vertical drop, with the track's steepest section reaching an 83% gradient. Cars run from the valley station in Saint-Hilaire to the plateau in just a few minutes, sparing visitors the long series of switchbacks by car. A paved road also winds up the mountainside for those driving their own vehicle or arriving by coach.

What is there to see once you're up there?

The Petites Roches plateau is above all a viewing balcony over the valley: from the cliff edge, the panorama sweeps across the Grésivaudan and the Belledonne range on the opposite side. Thanks to steady aerological conditions and open, safe terrain, this exact spot has launched thousands of paragliding and hang-gliding flights, and the site is regarded as one of the best-known free-flight locations in the world. Local schools run tandem flights and graded courses for different skill levels. Outside the flying season, the plateau also serves as a starting point for walking trails along the cliff rim and further into the Chartreuse massif.

When should you visit — and what about the Coupe Icare?

September is the standout month: Saint-Hilaire, alongside the neighbouring commune of Lumbin, hosts the Coupe Icare, the world's largest free-flight festival. The event draws paraglider and hang-glider pilots from across the globe, with aerial displays, costumed flying parades and a full program of side events. During those days the plateau and the valley below revolve entirely around the festival, and nearby accommodation books out well in advance. Outside September, spring and early summer offer the clearest views and the quietest crowds.

Frequently asked questions

Do you need experience to fly over the plateau? No — local schools offer tandem flights with an instructor for complete beginners, as well as graded courses for anyone wanting to learn to fly solo.

What's the difference between Saint-Hilaire-du-Touvet and Plateau-des-Petites-Roches? On 1 January 2019, the former communes of Saint-Hilaire-du-Touvet, Saint-Pancrasse and Saint-Bernard-du-Touvet merged into a single commune named Plateau-des-Petites-Roches. The name Saint-Hilaire still refers to the plateau itself and to the funicular station.

Does the funicular run all year? The line serves tourist and local traffic for most of the year, making the plateau reachable without a car — it's still worth checking the current timetable before visiting, since occasional technical or seasonal closures do occur.

Can you visit without taking part in any flying yourself? Yes — the plateau has viewpoints reachable on foot right by the upper funicular station, plus walking trails along the cliff edge from which you can simply watch paragliders take off.