Tour Isabelle, Natural arch in Plateau-des-Petites-Roches, France
Tour Isabelle is a limestone arch in the Aulp du Seuil cirque of the Chartreuse mountains, located at about 1790 meters elevation. The formation displays two stacked openings that define this section of the eastern mountainside.
This limestone arch went undocumented in official mountain guides until 2006, when Pascal Sombardier published comprehensive information about the formation. His documentation brought the location into wider public knowledge for hikers and geographers.
The natural arch takes its name from Isabelle de France, connecting the geological landmark to French historical figures and regional nomenclature traditions.
The arch is accessible via a marked trail from Col de Marcieu in Saint-Bernard, following the Grand Sangle de l'Aulp du Seuil loop route. Visitors should expect rocky terrain and mountain conditions, bringing sturdy footwear and a map for orientation.
What sets this formation apart is its double-arch structure with two stacked openings, the lower passage spanning around 30 meters wide. This scale ranks it among the largest natural arches found in the Alps.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
Cirque de Saint-Même
2.7 km
Château du Touvet
3.4 km
Réserve naturelle nationale des Hauts de Chartreuse
2.5 km
Lances de Malissard
3.5 km
Réseau de l'Alpe
6.2 km
Le Planolet
5.3 km
Canal de la Chantourne
5.3 km
La Scia
4.7 kmTorrent de Bresson
1.6 km
Ruisseau de la Terrasse
1.6 km
Tournerie de Saint-Même
4.6 km
Vallée des Entremonts
5.8 km
Chapelle des Dix-Mille Martyrs
6.6 km
Bench
3 km
Église Saint-Vincent de Saint-Vincent-de-Mercuze
3.6 km
Église Saint-Pierre de Saint-Pierre-d'Entremont
6.4 km
Église de Sainte-Marie-du-Mont
5.1 km
Église Saint-Bernard de Saint-Bernard
4.6 km
Saint Thérèse of Lisieux Church
6.6 km
Église Saint-Philibert de La Flachère
5.5 km
Église Saint-Alexis de Saint-Pierre-d'Entremont
6.6 km
Église Saint-Didier du Touvet
4 km
Église Saint-Aupre de La Terrasse
5.4 km
Beaumont castle
3.1 km
Chapelle du cimetière de La Terrasse
5.6 km
Château du Carré
5.7 km
Chapelle du Carré
5.9 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes