Between Les Échelles and Entre-Deux-Guiers, in the heart of the Chartreuse, the leisure base River Alp is preparing for its 2026 summer season. Open from June 6th, it will offer natural swimming, a gourmet snack bar, entertainment, a cycle path, games, fishing, an educational apiary, and outdoor activities in a preserved setting.
At Rivièr'Alp, summer begins with a big clean-up. In recent days, technical teams from Les Échelles and Entre-Deux-Guiers have refurbished the pools before refilling them. The site, known for its ecological swimming, is thus preparing to welcome families into water filtered by natural systems, without chemical treatment.
The swimming season is scheduled to open from 6 June to 31 August. During term time, from 6 June to 3 July, the site will be open on Wednesdays and weekends from 10:30 am to 7 pm, with the rest of the week reserved for school groups. From 4 July, Rivièr’Alp will be accessible every day at the same times.
A natural swimming pool in the heart of the Chartreuse.
The site covers around 2,600 m² of aquatic space and 6,000 m² of beach areas. It features a large pool, an outdoor pool, a sports pool with five lanes, and paddling pools for the little ones.
Family matters remain central. Two middle schools and five primary schools use the pools for their swimming lessons from Monday to Friday during term time. The Tritons du Guiers water sports club will also offer swimming lessons and water activities in the early evening. Registrations will take place in May outside the Tourist Office, at the leisure centre.
On-site, the team will comprise ten employees this summer, with five assigned to the snack bar and five to the swimming pool supervision. Regulars will find Stéphanie at the snack bar, and Jean-Noël, pool supervisor for his second season in this role.
A site designed for a full-day stay
Rivièr'Alp isn't just for swimming. The centre aims to allow for a full day spent here, combining relaxation, sport and discovery. Families can enjoy an 800 m² play area, a pétanque court, picnic spots and a panoramic viewpoint overlooking the valley.
The discovery of the apiary will also be part of the regular events, with educational visits on Wednesdays and Saturdays to observe the bees and understand their role in the local ecosystem.
Another original activity, «The Secret of the Hydromachines» invites visitors to explore the industrial history of the valley through six installations and puzzles to solve. A more playful way to connect leisure and heritage.
Cycling, hiking and evenings by the water
From the base, visitors can directly join the Via Chartreuse, a cycle path of over 17 km, with no gradient, suitable for families and leisure cyclists. The route follows the water and allows access to several sites in the area, including the Herretang marsh and the Caves.
Walkers can also set off on several routes around the Guiers Vif and Guiers Mort, from the Menuet site or the Béatrice de Savoie circuit. For those who prefer calmer activities, fishing in the Guiers remains possible around the base.
The season will also be punctuated by shows, concerts by the water, craft markets, yoga classes and open-air cinema screenings. For dining, the snack bar will reopen with local platters, local ice cream made in Chartreuse and, new for 2026, granitas.
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