THE GATEWAY TO Oisans
Livet-et-Gavet was once the economic driving force of Romanche valley and the whole region, thanks to the powers of water.
Today, this town is very popular with fans of climbing and trail-running!
![Livet et Gavet - Centrale électrique]()
Livet et Gavet – Centrale électrique ©Images et rêves
![Piscine de Livet et Gavet]()
Piscine de Livet et Gavet
![Livet et Gavet - La Salinière]()
Livet et Gavet – La Salinière ©Images et rêves
![La centrale des Vernes (Livet et Gavet)]()
Usine des Vernes ©Fabien Gruas
La centrale des Vernes (Livet et Gavet) ![L'Usine des Vernes à Livet et Gavet]()
Usine des Vernes ©Fabien Gruas
L’Usine des Vernes à Livet et Gavet ![Passerelle Himalayenne de Livet et Gavet]()
Passerelle Himalayenne de Livet et Gavet
LEISURE ACTIVITIES
Livet-et-Gavet is surrounded by staggering mountains and is the departure point for some of the most popular hiking and trail-running itineraries in the area (the famous UT4M trail passes through here). There are also two climbing spots, the one in Bâton with a wide range of natural bouldering spots and a traditional climbing spot in Livet. The town is also home to one of the only indoor swimming pools open all year round.
TO SEE AND DO
THE TRAIL THROUGH THE Romanche GORGES AND ACROSS THE HIMALAYAN FOOTBRIDGE
15 m long, 10 m above the feisty Romanche river (outside of the 100-year floodplain), this footbridge is the only one of its kind in Oisans! It is an attraction in itself, and is the grand finale of a 4-km trail where you can rediscover the valley after a long period of deindustrialisation. Today, the valley is driven by the hydroelectric industry (eco-friendly!) and tourism. This trail will take you from the Musée de la Romanche into the valley, through the surprisingly peaceful hamlets, across meadows, past ancient farms and an industrial project with a bright future. We recommend beginning your visit at the museum.
Musée de la Romanche
At the museum, you can learn all about the history of Romanche valley in terms of geology and industrialisation, including the development of factories, the life of the locals and history of the landscapes. Various industries have been developed here over the centuries thanks to the natural elements, mineral resources, hydraulic energy and wood reserves: hammers in the Middle Ages, blast furnaces, the paper industry, then electrometallurgy and electrochemistry. Today, Romanche valley is undergoing significant transformation which means that evidence of its industrial past will soon disappear. The museum is therefore working to keep this memory alive. There is a tour called ‘Sur les pas de Charles-Albert Keller‘ that takes visitors on a tour of Livet’s industrial heritage in the footsteps of this famous industrialist, departing from Vernes factory, a classified Historic Monument.
CLIMBING AND BOULDERING
Over the past twenty years, bouldering has become quite popular in Livet-et-Gavet. From Séchilienne to Rochetaillée, via some iconic climbing spots such as Rioupéroux, there are gneiss rocks everywhere, created by successive landslides and up to 8 metres high. The area is building a good reputation thanks to some famous names who have been here for the quality of the rock, the varied profiles and the significant potential for climbing: more than 500 passages ranging from 3+ to 8c ! There are countless possibilities, in the urban areas or on the banks of the Romanche, with varying levels and landscapes, all easily accessible by road. That’s why lower Romanche has become the place to be for bouldering, and has gained a reputation across the entire region of Grenoble… If you’re a fan of climbing, we highly recommend you come here!
