Tour de la Tençon (Trail No. 2 of the “Sentiers de Chartreuse Occidentale”)

The route starts in Voreppe Bourg, at the ‘Parking des Gradins de Roize’, Quai du Dr Jacquin (towards Chalais); however, you must park at the ‘Parking des Randonneurs’ on Rue Pré Boulat, 100 metres further up (it is signposted). Then return to the Parking des Gradins de Roize, the starting point for the trails.

Follow the No. 2 directional signs at the junctions and the yellow markings.

(S/E) Walk down the left bank of the Roize as far as the footbridge opposite the chemist’s. Cross the Roize and the D520A, then continue downhill until you reach Chemin du Boutet on your right. Walk up this street for about 600 metres, until you reach the D520A.

(1) Take care when crossing the road and take the steps directly in front of you. Walk between the houses in the Malossane neighbourhood, continuing uphill, until you reach the first junction (signpost). Continue along the road to the right until you reach another signpost.

(2) On your right is the Gondrand chasm. Turn left into the street and then, after a small open space, take the steps between the two properties. At the top, you’ll rejoin the D520A. Follow it to the right, keeping to the safety barrier, for 200 metres.

(3) At the sign saying “turn left”, go through this barrier and cross the D520A , taking great care (cross when you can’t hear any traffic! As long as you can hear vehicles, do not cross; watch out for bicycles, which can be silent). Follow the road on the opposite side for 50 metres and head into the woods. Walk up this pleasant path and make the most of the bench to admire the views of Voreppe and Grenoble in the distance.

(4) After this stop, continue uphill to reach the spot known as ‘l’arbre fourchu’ (signpost).

(5) Take a short round trip to the Bourget viewpoint to admire the view over the Voironnais plain, with Parménie Hill in the background.

Return to the path and continue the ascent until you are 100 metres from the Col de la Tençon. During the climb, you’ll come across a lovely viewpoint overlooking the neighbourhoods of Malossane and Racin, with the Aiguille de Chalais in the distance.

100 metres before the pass, at the signpost, head down to the left. Then take the path to the left again. At the ‘No Entry’ sign, turn right and continue along the path until you reach a ruin with the remains of an old bread oven. This section winds through boxwood hedges which, unfortunately, have been damaged by the box tree moth. Continue to the ‘Belvédère des Maquisards’ sign.

(6) Take a 15-minute round-trip detour to admire the view over the Voreppe Gorge. A superb spot to rest. Then return to the signpost.

(6) Carry on along the path to the left. Continue the walk until you reach a shaded path. Take this to the right. Take care towards the end of this path; on the left are the Buisse quarries

(7) When you reach the signpost for “Bois de la Tençon” (ruined house), take the path leading uphill to the right, towards the Col de la Tençon. Follow this path to the pass.

(8) The pass is the highest point of the route. Continue to the right, then a few metres further on, head towards the “forked tree” on the left and rejoin the route you took on the way up.

(4) Take great care when crossing the D520A and make your way back to the Voreppe walkers’ car park (S/E).

Places to relax at the two viewing points.

(2) The hamlet of Malossane takes its name from the molasse stone that was quarried there until the 19th century.
The Gondrand chasm was an open-cast refractory clay quarry, in operation from 1880 to 1915.

The Maquisards viewpoint was a strategic position used in June 1940 by the Army of the Alps and subsequently by the Resistance.

(8) The Col de la Tençon (628 m) was a much-used route into Savoie, which, until 1355, stretched its border between Voiron, La Buisse and the Col de la Placette.

View over the districts of Malossane and Racin and the Aiguille de Chalais.

Visit the Corepha association’s website to find out more about the heritage and history of the commune of Voreppe.