Oisans has been a mineralogists’ paradise since the end of the 18th century. Hunting and mining minerals, from the most precious to the most common, has shaped the history of the region.

Gold and quartz from La Gardette, axinite from L’Armentier, prehnite from La Combe de la Selle or epidote from Le Cornillon – the many seams have produced remarkable specimens. The Museum of Minerals and Alpine Wildlife (Musée des Minéraux et de la Faune des Alpes) in Bourg d’Oisans, which houses the largest collection of Alpine minerals in France, is living testimony to this past. The rich diversity of its collection makes it an ideal place to discover the natural and cultural heritage of Oisans.

And for those who wish to know more, the Oisans Geology Centre (Centre de Géologie de l’Oisans) offers a wide range of educational services in connection with the geological heritage of Oisans, the Alps and the surrounding area, including walks, courses, lectures and visits.