"La Vallée de l'Or Gris" Saint-Martin-le-Vinoux by JLBG

Saint-Martin-le-Vinoux Travel Guide: 26 reviews and 29 photos

Saint Martin le Vinoux is the western entrance into Grenoble. Where the autoroute from Lyon arrives, stands a huge monument that was build in 1967 for the Winter Olympics, during a sculpture symposium by Morice Lipsi, called "Ouverture dans l'Espace" (space opening) but more often called Olympic column. This 85 tons, 12.50 meters high signal, made of blue granit from Brittany, is a welcome sign to visitors. The central pillar is topped by handles directed towards four directions. It hugs both the mountain and the visitor

Another sculpture by Lipsi, La grande vague (1978) is on show in the park Albert Michallon, behind the Museum of Grenoble.

Before the Olympic column was built and a little further upstream along the Isère river, the entrance in Grenoble has long been the Porte de France. On the limit between Grenoble and Saint-Martin-le-Vinoux, it is one of the few remains of the city walls built by Lesdiguières. A 1620 carving in Latin reminds that this entrance was first called Porte Royale : it was dedicated to Louis XIII and François de Bonne, duke of Lesdiguières, peer and marschal of France. It was restaured in 1847-48. In 1932, it was turned into a "Monument aux Morts" to honor the dead of 1914-1918 World War.

La Vallée de l'Or gris

I will explain under "things to do" why and how Saint Martin le Vinoux and the whole Grenoble area are linked to the history of concrete.

The Casamaures is the master piece of that industry and in this case, it is worth the name of art and is a must visit for those who are interested in architecture.

Intro Updated Oct 13, 2005
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Reviews (26)

Hôpital Civil, 1913 - Saint-Martin-le-Vinoux

Hôpital Civil, 1913 Favorites (7)

The "Hôpital Civil" ("Civil" means that it is not run by nuns) was finished building in 1913 outside the city, in La... more travel advice

Hôpital Civil, 1913 Favorites (7)

The "Hôpital Civil" ("Civil" means that it is not run by nuns) was finished building in 1913 outside the city, in La... more travel advice

Maisons remarquables ? non ! - Saint-Martin-le-Vinoux

Maisons remarquables ? non ! Things to Do (19)

These two houses on the right are ordinary houses, not in Grenoble city center, but they were build using the same... more travel advice

Maisons remarquables : Grand hôtel - Saint-Martin-le-Vinoux

Maisons remarquables : Grand hôtel Things to Do (19)

Maisons remarquables : the Grand hôtel, rue de la République in Grenoble is another example of the houses that used the... more travel advice

Comments (16)

evaanna May 1, 2009 at 10:41 AM Report Abuse

I tend to prefer stone houses, perhaps because our ugliest buildings are built of concrete. These urinals could be universal, but I somehow don't believe they would meet women's standards of cleanliness if men used them too.:)
volopolo Jan 27, 2009 at 5:15 AM Report Abuse

Great tips
Yaqui Aug 8, 2008 at 9:41 AM Report Abuse

You've been to so many beautiful places. The La Casamaures looks so wonderful and I appreciate Architecture. It's amazing how many people do not see all the details a buildings has. Thanks for sharing!
Pawtuxet Jun 15, 2008 at 8:14 AM Report Abuse

Interesting page. I think we need some of that magical concrete on some of our highways and bridges of today. You seem to have become a concrete authority! ha ha. I'm sure the scent of the flowers along the sidewalk far exceeds the previous uses. wink!
Trekki Jun 14, 2008 at 1:27 PM Report Abuse

Haha, I'd say I would use it :-)) Why not :-)) Not weird at all - at least it has a cover on the front, that's more than I had in the Pamirs (1 hole, 2 walls, nothing more) :-))) haha, thanks for your quote :-))
mariev Feb 15, 2008 at 6:02 AM Report Abuse

J'étais déja passée par Saint Martin le Vinoux mais j'ignorais totalement son rôe dans l'industrie du béton. Si je repasse, je ferai un détour pour voir La Casamaures
Nemorino Nov 16, 2006 at 2:24 PM Report Abuse

Maisons remarquables indeed! I never knew Grenoble was such a center of the concrete industry. Interesting stories about Auguste Perret. Why couldn't he have worked as a contractor if he had graduated from the Ecole des Beaux Arts?
scottishvisitor Nov 15, 2006 at 9:13 AM Report Abuse

Had to laugh at the turning wind = a good idea to turn things into flower pots = now I know where concrete comes from - thaks for sharing
LoriPori Nov 15, 2006 at 3:23 AM Report Abuse

As usual a very informative page on Saint-Martin. Like the others, I am impressed with your knowledge of the concrete industry and the many mold concrete buildings. The Casamaures looks wonderful.
matcrazy1 Jun 3, 2005 at 4:39 PM Report Abuse

Haha, a lot of very interesting info, on concrete invention for example. Thanks for La Casamaures - next a must see for me :-)