Autrans facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Autrans
Part of Autrans-Méaudre-en-Vercors
Coat of arms
Autrans Location in France Show map of France Autrans Location in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Show map of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Country	France
Region	Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Department	Isère
Arrondissement	Grenoble
Canton	Fontaine-Vercors
Commune	Autrans-Méaudre-en-Vercors
Area 1	44 km2 (17 sq mi)
Population  (2022)	1,527
• Density	34.7/km2 (89.9/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+01:00 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+02:00 (CEST)
Postal code	38880
Elevation	1,005–1,711 m (3,297–5,614 ft)
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

Autrans is a lovely former village in the Isère area of south-eastern France. It was once its own commune, which is like a small town or district. On January 1, 2016, Autrans joined with another village to form a new, bigger commune called Autrans-Méaudre-en-Vercors.

This area is famous because it hosted some exciting events during the 1968 Winter Olympics in Grenoble. Athletes competed here in biathlon, cross-country skiing, Nordic combined, and ski jumping.

Autrans has also been recognized for its beauty. It received "one flower" from the National Council of Towns and Villages in Bloom. This award celebrates towns that make their public spaces pretty with flowers and plants.

Exploring Autrans' Location

Autrans is nestled on the Vercors Plateau. This area is part of the Vercors Regional Natural Park, which is a beautiful natural space. It's about 10 kilometers west of Grenoble, a larger city, and 11 kilometers east of Vinay.

How to Get Around Autrans

You can reach Autrans mainly by a road called the D106C. This road loops through the village. Inside the commune, there are local roads that lead to the ski fields in the northern part. You'll see farms in the valley, but the mountains around are wild and covered in thick forests.

The Meaudret river starts in the north of Autrans. It flows south through the village and then continues to join another river called the Bourne.

There's a bus that connects Autrans to nearby towns like Lans-en-Vercors and Villard-de-Lans. In winter, a special shuttle bus takes people from the village directly to the ski slopes.

Autrans' Weather

Autrans has a mountain climate. Summers are usually warm, but not too hot, while winters are cold and snowy, perfect for skiing!

Hiking Adventures in Autrans

If you love hiking, Autrans is a great place to visit! Two important hiking trails pass through the area:

• The GR 9 trail offers amazing views.
• The GR footpath: Tour of the Four Mountains, which is another long-distance path.

Villages and Hamlets Around Autrans

Autrans is surrounded by many smaller places and neighborhoods, often called hamlets. These include:

Autrans' Neighbors

Autrans is located near several other towns and villages:

	La Rivière	Montaud	Sassenage
	Saint-Gervais		Engins
		Autrans
	Izeron	Méaudre	Lans-en-Vercors

The Name Autrans: A Short History

The name Autrans comes from an older village called Lans. It used to be called oultre-Lans, which means "beyond the village of Lans." Over time, this name changed and became "Autrans."

Autrans Through Time

The ski jumps of Autrans seen from a distance.

Autrans has a rich history, especially when it comes to winter sports.

Autrans and the 1968 Winter Olympics

The 1968 Winter Olympics in Grenoble were a huge deal! They were the first Olympics ever shown on TV. Autrans hosted many of the Nordic skiing events, like cross-country skiing, biathlon, and ski jumping. For many people in France, seeing these events on TV was a new and exciting experience. It helped make skiing popular across France and Europe.

The ski jumps used in the 1968 Olympics were part of a long tradition in Autrans. People have been ski jumping here since 1911! Today, there are jumps of different sizes (90m, 56m, and 20m) that are used for national and international competitions all year round. You can even find a viewing platform at the top of the 90m ramp.

Autrans' Coat of Arms

A coat of arms is a special design that represents a town or family. Autrans has its own unique coat of arms.

The Autrans coat of arms shows a blue and silver striped background. On top of this, there's a red lion with gold claws, tongue, and crown. In the other part of the shield, on a blue background, there's a silver snowflake.

How Autrans Was Governed

The ski jump in Autrans during winter.

Autrans had mayors who helped run the commune before it merged in 2016. One famous mayor was Jean Faure, who was also a Senator for many years.

Important Public Services

Even though Autrans is now part of a larger commune, it still has important services for its residents and visitors:

• A Tourist office to help visitors find things to do.
• A Fire Station to keep everyone safe.
• An Isere General Council road maintenance depot to keep the roads in good condition.

Autrans' Twin Town

Autrans has a special friendship with another town far away! It has a twinning association with Lillehammer in Norway. This friendship started in 1994.

Who Lives in Autrans?

The people who live in Autrans are called Autranais (for boys and men) or Autranaises (for girls and women) in French.

Autrans' Economy: How People Make a Living

Autrans covered in snow during winter.

The economy in Autrans is mostly based on tourism, especially winter sports.

Winter Sports Fun

Autrans is a fantastic place for winter sports!

• Alpine skiing is available at the large Sure area and the smaller Claret area. You can even go night skiing!
• Nordic skiing (cross-country skiing) and snowshoeing are very popular here. Autrans is known as the French capital of Nordic skiing.

In the past, Autrans was also known for its healthy climate. Many children with breathing problems would visit for the fresh air.

Farming in Autrans

Long ago, in the early 1900s, there were about 130 farms in Autrans. Today, there are still 17 farms, with 13 of them being dairy farms. They produce milk that is used to make special cheeses like Bleu du Vercors-Sassenage. Some farms also raise cattle for meat or produce other farm goods.

Every year, on the first weekend of May, there's an event called "Take the key to the fields." This lets visitors explore the farms on the Vercors Plateau and try their local products. There are also activities related to forestry in the area.

Culture and History of Autrans

The Romanesque Church in Autrans.

Old Buildings and Architecture

• The Romanesque church sits on a hill in the middle of the village. Its bell tower is very old, from the 12th or 13th century! The stone spire was added later, in the 17th and 18th centuries. The main part of the church was rebuilt in 1875.

Ancient Discoveries

Autrans has some interesting archaeological sites, which are places where old human activity can be found. These include a Motte-and-bailey castle and two old fortified houses. Today, you can mostly see mounds in the landscape where these structures once stood.

• The Motte du Chateau is about 1 kilometer east of the church. A simple wooden building once stood on this mound in the 11th century.
• Malatan is an old fortified house, likely from the 14th century, located southeast of the Motte du Chateau.
• The Tower is north of the Andrevières hamlet. Digs have found parts of a round tower that probably dates back to the 12th century.

Underground Wonders

• The Ture Cave is near the hamlet of Naves. It's a great place for beginners to try caving or just explore an underground world because it's quite easy to access.

Life in Autrans

Sports and Activities

The Gève Domain is a famous sports area located high up at 1,300 meters above sea level. It's known internationally for its excellent snow conditions. This area is north of the Vercors Massif. You can drive there, and there are free shuttle buses for anyone with a valid ski pass for Autrans.

Exciting Sporting Events

• The Foulée blanche (White Stride) is a big cross-country skiing race. It's been held every January since 1979 and attracts about 5,000 participants!

Fun Cultural Events

Autrans covered in snow during the 2009 Internet meeting.

• The Autrans Internet Meeting is an annual event that started in 1997. It happens every January and focuses on understanding the future of the Internet.

Learning in Autrans

The town has a public kindergarten for young children and a public primary school for older kids.

Famous People from Autrans

• Léonce-Émile Durand-Savoyat was a former mayor of Autrans. He also served as a Member of Parliament and a Senator for the Isère region.
• Many people from Autrans have been part of French national ski teams. They have won many national titles, showing the strong skiing tradition in the area!

See also

In Spanish: Autrans para niños

• Communes of the Isère department
• Parc naturel régional du Vercors