Autrans is a former commune in the Isère department in the Rhône-Alpes region of south-eastern France. On 1 January 2016, it was merged into the new commune of Autrans-Méaudre-en-Vercors. At the 1968 Winter Olympics in Grenoble, it hosted the biathlon, cross-country skiing, Nordic combined, and the ski jumping normal hill events. The commune has been awarded one flower by the National Council of Towns and Villages in Bloom in the Competition of cities and villages in Bloom.

Geography

Autrans is located on the Vercors Plateau in the Vercors Regional Natural Park some 10 km west of Grenoble and 11 km east of Vinay. Access to the commune is solely by the D106C which branches north from the D106 and passes in a loop through the village then back south to Méaudre. A local road goes north from the village along to the valley to the ski fields in the north of the commune. There is farmland in the valley but the slopes of the surrounding mountains are rugged and heavily forested. The Meaudret rises in the north of the commune and flows south down the valley through the village and continues south to join the Bourne at Les Jarrands. Bus line 5120 connects Lans-en-Vercors and Villard-de-Lans stops in Autrans village and Méaudre (the square). There is a shuttle bus in winter from the village to the ski fields.

Climate

Hiking trails

There are two main hiking trails crossing the commune: municipality is crossed by

Places and hamlets

Neighbouring communes and villages

Toponymy

The name Autrans is derived from the name of a village called Lans (the oldest village on the plateau) and originated from oultre-Lans meaning "beyond the village of Lans" which, over the course of time, was transformed into Autrans.

History

Heraldry

Administration

List of Successive Mayors

Public services

The commune has the following services:

Twinning

Autrans has twinning associations with:

Demography

The inhabitants of the commune are known as Autranais or Autranaises in French.

Economy

Winter Sports

Tourism in the early 21st century focused primarily on the healthy climate and the station hosted many children who had health problems - especially respiratory.

Agriculture

In the early 1900s there were nearly 130 farms. Today there are 17 farms including 13 dairy farms in Autrans. Milk production is transformed into the Bleu du Vercors-Sassenage AOC in Col Vert, Brique, Saint Marcellin. Autrans also has cattle farms for meat and farm produce and a pigeon farm to serve the best restaurants. Every year on the 1st weekend in May the operation "Take the key to the fields" can visit the farms on the Vercors Plateau and discover their products. There are also Forestry activities.

Culture and Heritage

Architectural Heritage

Archaeological Heritage

Autrans has three sites: a Motte-and-bailey castle and two fortified houses at Malatan and La Tour hamlets. Of these three sites nothing remains except mounds and that can be seen today in the landscape.

Underground heritage

Local life

Sports

The Gève Domain is located 1,300 m above sea level and has an international reputation. Located to the north of the Massif du Vercors, the snow conditions are exceptional. This area is accessible by car and there are free shuttles to all valid ski pass holders for the Autrans ski resort.

Sporting events

Cultural Events

Education

The town has a public kindergarten and a public primary school.

Notable people linked to the commune