{{Short description|Commune in Isère, France}} {{Infobox French commune |name = Autrans |image = Autrans summer.jpg |image coat of arms = Blason Autrans.svg |arrondissement = Grenoble |canton = Fontaine-Vercors |INSEE = 38021 |postal code = 38880 |commune = Autrans-Méaudre-en-Vercors |coordinates = {{coord|45.176|5.542|format=dms|display=inline,title}} |elevation min m = 1005 |elevation max m = 1711 |area km2 = 44 |population = 1527 |population date = 2022 |population footnotes = <ref name=pop2022>{{cite web|url=https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/fichier/8290591/ensemble.pdf|title=Populations de référence 2022|language=fr|trans-title=Reference populations 2022|publisher=INSEE|date=December 2024}}</ref> }}
'''Autrans''' ({{IPA|fr|otʁɑ̃}}) 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.<ref>[http://www.isere.gouv.fr/content/download/24567/192134/file/2015-N72-REC.pdf Arrêté préfectoral] 20 November 2015</ref>
At the 1968 Winter Olympics in Grenoble, it hosted the biathlon, cross-country skiing, Nordic combined, and the ski jumping normal hill events.<ref>[http://www.la84foundation.org/6oic/OfficialReports/1968/or1968.pdf 1968 Winter Olympics official report.] pp. 85-95. {{in lang|en|fr}}</ref>
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''.<ref>[http://www.cnvvf.fr/les_villes_et_village_fleuris-47.html Autrans in the Competition for Towns and Villages in Bloom] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141210053901/http://www.cnvvf.fr/les_villes_et_village_fleuris-47.html |date=December 10, 2014 }} {{in lang|fr}}</ref>
==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.<ref name=Google>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Autrans/@45.190141,5.567838,13001m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x478aec88889fae31:0x408ab2ae4be81a0?hl=en Google Maps]</ref>
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).<ref>[http://www.transisere.fr/horaires_ligne/index.asp?rub_code=6&lign_id=683 Timetable for route 5120] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150218020207/http://www.transisere.fr/horaires_ligne/index.asp?rub_code=6&lign_id=683 |date=2015-02-18 }}, on the Trans-Isere website {{in lang|fr}}</ref> There is a shuttle bus in winter from the village to the ski fields.
===Climate=== {{Weather box |location= Autrans (1981–2010 averages, 1956–2022 extremes): elevation 1069m |metric first= Y |single line= Y |Jan record high C = 17.1 |Feb record high C = 19.0 |Mar record high C = 21.0 |Apr record high C = 24.9 |May record high C = 29.9 |Jun record high C = 31.3 |Jul record high C = 34.2 |Aug record high C = 34.0 |Sep record high C = 30.6 |Oct record high C = 25.2 |Nov record high C = 22.5 |Dec record high C = 17.0 |year record high C =
|Jan high C = 2.8 |Feb high C = 3.8 |Mar high C = 6.7 |Apr high C = 9.7 |May high C = 14.7 |Jun high C = 18.4 |Jul high C = 21.7 |Aug high C = 21.5 |Sep high C = 17.5 |Oct high C = 13.8 |Nov high C = 7.2 |Dec high C = 3.5 |year high C =
|Jan mean C = −1.5 |Feb mean C = −0.9 |Mar mean C = 1.9 |Apr mean C = 4.9 |May mean C = 9.5 |Jun mean C = 12.9 |Jul mean C = 15.7 |Aug mean C = 15.4 |Sep mean C = 12.0 |Oct mean C = 8.6 |Nov mean C = 2.9 |Dec mean C = -0.4 |year mean C =
|Jan low C = −5.8 |Feb low C = −5.7 |Mar low C = −2.9 |Apr low C = 0.0 |May low C = 4.3 |Jun low C = 7.4 |Jul low C = 9.7 |Aug low C = 9.4 |Sep low C = 6.4 |Oct low C = 3.5 |Nov low C = −1.4 |Dec low C = −4.4 |year low C =
|Jan record low C = -25.5 |Feb record low C = -26.0 |Mar record low C = -24.0 |Apr record low C = -15.0 |May record low C = -8.0 |Jun record low C = -4.0 |Jul record low C = -0.3 |Aug record low C = -4.2 |Sep record low C = -5.0 |Oct record low C = -12.0 |Nov record low C = -18.0 |Dec record low C = -22.0 |year record low C =
|precipitation colour = green |Jan precipitation mm = 119.0 |Feb precipitation mm = 100.4 |Mar precipitation mm = 110.4 |Apr precipitation mm = 125.6 |May precipitation mm = 142.9 |Jun precipitation mm = 116.1 |Jul precipitation mm = 112.3 |Aug precipitation mm = 116.4 |Sep precipitation mm = 137.4 |Oct precipitation mm = 130.8 |Nov precipitation mm = 130.7 |Dec precipitation mm = 120.6 |year precipitation mm =
|source 1 = Meteociel<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.meteociel.fr/obs/clim/normales_records.php?code=38021001&normes=2010|title=Normales et records pour Autrans (38)|publisher=Meteociel|access-date= 8 September 2023}}</ref>}}
===Hiking trails=== There are two main hiking trails crossing the commune: municipality is crossed by *the GR 9; *the GR footpath: Tour of the Four Mountains.
===Places and hamlets=== {{Div col}} * L'Achard * Les Ronins * Les Prud'hommes * Villeneuve * Eybertière * Le Bourg du-dessus * Les Eperouses * Le Bourg du dessous * Le Bouchet * Le Truc * Andrevière * Les Gonnets * Les Tranchants * Les Vernes * Les Gaillards * Le Mollaret * Le Tonkin * Les Franques * Payenat * Écharlière {{div col end}} <ref name="Géo">[http://www.geoportail.gouv.fr/accueil?c=5.542,45.176&z=7.92265E-5&l=GEOGRAPHICALGRIDSYSTEMS.MAPS.3D$GEOPORTAIL:OGC:WMTS@aggregate(1)&l=ADMINISTRATIVEUNITS.BOUNDARIES$GEOPORTAIL:OGC:WMTS(1)&permalink=yes Géoportail], IGN {{in lang|fr}}</ref>
===Neighbouring communes and villages=== {{Geographic location |width=auto |Centre = Autrans |North = Montaud |Northeast = Sassenage |East = Engins |Southeast = Lans-en-Vercors |South = Méaudre |Southwest = Izeron |West = Saint-Gervais |Northwest = La Rivière }}
==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== thumb|The Ski-jumps seen from afar.
*The 1968 Olympics in Grenoble (which were the first to be aired on TV) included cross-country skiing, biathlon, ski-jumping (90m ski-jump) and combined Nordic skiing (jumping and cross-country). For many French people the TV images of Nordic skiing at Autrans were a revelation. This would mark the beginning of the development of skiing in France and throughout Europe; *The Grenoble Olympic Winter Games 1968 ski-jumps were part of a long local tradition of ski jumping (first ski competition in 1911). Today jumps of 90 m, 56 m, and 20 m are equipped to be used in winter and in summer for many national and international competitions. There is a viewing platform at the top of the 90 m ramp.
===Heraldry=== {{Blazon-arms |img1=Blason Autrans.svg |legend1=Arms of Autrans |text=
'''Blazon:'''<br/> ''Party per bend sinister, at 1 barry of 10 Azure and Argent debruised by a lion of Gules armed, langued, and crowned in of Or; at 2 Azure a crystal of snow Argent.'' }}
==Administration== thumb|The ski-jump in winter {{incomplete list|date=April 2021}} '''List of Successive Mayors'''<ref>[http://www.francegenweb.org/mairesgenweb/resultcommune.php?id=21033 List of Mayors of France] {{in lang|fr}}</ref> {| class="wikitable" |- ! From !! To !! Name !! Party !! Position |- | 1977 || 1983 || Gilbert Michel || || |- | 1983 || 2008 || Jean Faure || UMP || Senator (1983-2011) |- | 2008 || 2014 || Gabriel Tatin || DVG || 1st VP of Parc |- | 2014 || 2016 || Thierry Gamot || UMP || |}
===Public services=== thumb|Autrans in summer The commune has the following services: * A Tourist office; * A Fire Station; * An Isere General Council road maintenance depot
===Twinning=== {{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in France}} Autrans has twinning associations with:<ref>[https://pastel.diplomatie.gouv.fr/cncdext/dyn/public/atlas/rechercheAtlasFrance.html National Commission for Decentralised cooperation] {{in lang|fr}}</ref> *{{flagicon|Norway}} Lillehammer (Norway) since 1994.
==Demography== The inhabitants of the commune are known as ''Autranais'' or ''Autranaises'' in French.<ref>[https://www.habitants.fr/isere-38 Le nom des habitants du 38 - Isère], habitants.fr</ref>
{{Historical populations | align = none | cols = 2 | percentages = pagr | source = EHESS<ref name=ehess>{{Cassini-Ehess|2012|Autrans}}</ref> and INSEE<ref name=pophist>[https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2123878?geo=COM-38021 Populations légales 2012], INSEE</ref> |1793 |1001 |1800 |1100 |1806 |1103 |1821 |1047 |1831 |1107 |1836 |1117 |1841 |1181 |1846 |1219 |1851 |1290 |1856 |1201 |1861 |1204 |1866 |1173 |1872 |1118 |1876 |1092 |1881 |1071 |1886 |999 |1891 |1000 |1896 |961 |1901 |946 |1906 |926 |1911 |901 |1921 |801 |1926 |808 |1931 |890 |1936 |857 |1946 |1114 |1954 |1359 |1962 |980 |1968 |988 |1975 |1330 |1982 |1370 |1990 |1406 |1999 |1541 |2007 |1672 |2012 |1628 }}
==Economy==
===Winter Sports=== thumb|Autrans in winter *Alpine ski area: a large field of ''Sure'', a small field of ''Claret'', night skiing, beginner park. *Nordic ski area, cross country skiing, snowshoeing - the French capital of Nordic skiing. *The economy is mainly based on tourism.
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== thumb|The Romanesque Church
===Architectural Heritage=== *A '''Romanesque church''' is located on a hill in the centre of the village. Only the bell tower is from the Middle Ages (12th to 13th centuries), its stone spire dates back to the 17th and 18th centuries, the choir and the nave of the building are from 1875.
===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.<ref>[http://www.isere-patrimoine.fr/TPL_CODE/TPL_SITEPATRIMONIAL/PAR_TPL_IDENTIFIANT/17/1272-base.htm Isère heritage website for Autrans] {{in lang|fr}}</ref>
*The '''Motte du Chateau''' is located approximately 1 km to the east of Autrans Church on a Moraine. A wattle and daub building existed on the mound in the 11th century. *'''Malatan''' is located approximately 300 m south-east of the Motte du Chateau and is an old fortified house probably dating from the 14th century. *The '''Tower''' is located approximately 200 m to the north of the hamlet of Andrevières and excavations have identified the remains of a round tower probably dating from the 12th century.
===Underground heritage=== *The '''Ture Cave''' is located near the hamlet of Naves. It is used today for an introduction to caving or the simple discovery of an underground world because it has fairly easy access.<ref>[http://www.parc-du-vercors.fr/plugins/sites_pratique/index.php?action=slide&id=13&theme=pnrv&layout=decouvrir PNV website on the Ture Cave] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714173803/http://www.parc-du-vercors.fr/plugins/sites_pratique/index.php?action=slide&id=13&theme=pnrv&layout=decouvrir |date=2014-07-14 }} {{in lang|fr}}</ref>
==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.<ref>[http://www.autrans.com/en/winter/index.html OT of Autrans skiing website] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140613103642/http://www.autrans.com/en/winter/index.html |date=June 13, 2014 }}</ref>
===Sporting events=== *The '''Foulée blanche''' (White Stride) event has been held every year since 1979 in January. It is a cross-country skiing race attracting nearly 5,000 participants.<ref>[http://www.lafouleeblanche.com/fr/index.htm The ''Foulée blanche'' website] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714214612/http://www.lafouleeblanche.com/fr/index.htm |date=July 14, 2014 }} {{in lang|fr}}</ref>
===Cultural Events=== thumb|Autrans in the snow during the 2009 Internet meeting *The '''Autrans Internet Meeting''' is an annual event dedicated to the understanding of the future of the Internet. The event started in 1997 and is held every year in January.
==Education== The town has a public kindergarten and a public primary school.<ref>[http://www.ac-grenoble.fr/admin/spip/spip.php?article89 Official Academy of Grenoble website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100510142734/http://www.ac-grenoble.fr/admin/spip/spip.php?article89 |date=2010-05-10 }} {{in lang|fr}}.</ref>
==See also== *Communes of the Isère department *Parc naturel régional du Vercors
==References== {{Reflist|30em}}
==External links== {{Commons category|Autrans}} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20161107194816/http://www.autrans.fr/ Autrans official website] {{in lang|fr}} *[http://www.festitrail-autrans.com Festitrail of Autrans] {{in lang|fr}} *[http://rumsey.geogarage.com/maps/cassinige.html?lat=45.176&lon=5.542&zoom=13 ''Autran'' on the 1750 Cassini Map]
{{1968 Winter Olympic venues}} {{Olympic venues biathlon}} {{Olympic venues cross country skiing}} {{Olympic venues Nordic combined}} {{Olympic venues in ski jumping}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Venues of the 1968 Winter Olympics Category:Former communes of Isère Category:Olympic biathlon venues Category:Olympic cross-country skiing venues Category:Olympic Nordic combined venues Category:Olympic ski jumping venues Category:Sports venues in Isère Category:Dauphiné