Located in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, straddling the departments of Drôme and Isère, the Vercors is a mountain massif in the Pre-Alps. A territory that has long remained isolated and untamed, and whose maquis was a refuge for French Resistance fighters during the Second World War, it's the perfect place to commune with nature's grandeur and enjoy outdoor activities. The Vercors Regional Nature Park offers endless hiking opportunities in fine weather, and is decked out in a beautiful white coat in winter. Travelling through the Vercors means crossing landscapes that are both Alpine and Mediterranean, stopping off in charming villages, discovering the region's heritage, sampling local produce and learning about local history. Looking for nature and amazing rock formations? Don't hesitate, you'll fall under the spell of the Vercors.
1. Gorges de la Bourne, the Vercors canyon
The Gorges de la Bourne, a must-see in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, form a canyon at the bottom of which flows the river of the same name. The best way to discover them is to follow the Route des Gorges de la Bourne. Along its 24 km, this grandiose, vertiginous itinerary allows you to marvel at this mineral treasure located just outside the village of Pont-en-Royans. The rock-cut road offers breathtaking views, particularly of the cirque du Bournillon. The Route des Gorges de la Bourne, which can be followed by car or by bike, offers a grandiose spectacle in the Vercors Regional Nature Park.
2. The Grand Veymont, an ascent not to be missed
The Grand Veymont is the highest peak in the Vercors, at 2,341 m altitude. It's one of themost beautiful hikes in the Vercors region. There are several routes available for this purpose. The walk offers breathtaking panoramas of Mont Aiguille, the Vercors High Plateaux, Triève, Chartreuse, Grenoble and even the Écrins. From May to September, sublime Edelweiss decorate the edges of the trails. And hiking is often an opportunity to cross paths with marmots, chamois, ibex and vultures.
3. Mont Aiguille, one of the most beautiful mountains in Vercors
Mont Aiguille is located in the Trièves region and rises to 2,087 m above sea level. This tooth-shaped mountain, with its virtually flat summit, is consideredone of the 7 wonders of the Dauphiné. There are no fewer than 30 routes to the summit of Mont Aiguille. Some of them present no major difficulties. And the effort is well worth it! With views over the Belledonne chain, the Chartreuse peaks and Mont Blanc, the Trièves, the Ebron valley, the Matheysine foothills and the Écrins massif. For the record, the upper part of Mont Aiguille collapsed in 1940, losing 11 m in altitude.
4. The village of Pont-en-Royans
Located at the start of the Gorges de la Bourne and on the road to the Grotte de Choranche, the village of Pont-en-Royans is a pure marvel. Gateway to the Vercors, the village is renowned for the beauty of its colorful houses suspended in the air above the Bourne. They date back to the 16th century. A stroll along the banks of the Bourne offers incredible views of these dwellings. A picnic and a refreshing dip in the sunny weather are just the thing. And don't hesitate to wander through the village's medieval quarter, with its picturesque alleyways and terraced gardens.
5. Grotte de Choranche
Grotte de Choranche is a must-see in the Vercors region. The guided tour is laid out along lakes and rivers. The cave is home to magnificent stalagmites and fistulous stalactites. The fistulous stalactites, thousands of crystal-white calcite straws up to 3 m long, are a special feature of the cave. The tour also takes in the majestic Cathedral Hall, staged in a colorful sound and light show. The guide provides a wealth of information on the discovery of the cave, its first explorations and the work of speleologists that continues beyond the developed sections.
6. Col de Rousset, a mythical resort
As the climatic frontier between the northern and southern Alps, the Col de Rousset is one of the few access points to the limestone fortress that is the Vercors massif. An incredible winding road leads up to the 1,200 m high, family-friendly ski resort of Col de Rousset. The road is an attraction in itself, with sublime panoramas of the Drôme valley, its relief and vegetation. The resort, which welcomes snow sports enthusiasts in winter, also comes alive in summer, with opportunities for trottin'herbe, rail tobogganing, via ferrata and mountain biking.
7. Gorges du Furon, a canyoning paradise
The Canyon du Furon lies above Sassenage, in the heart of the Vercors Massif, and is one of the most beautiful places to see in Grenoble. A beautiful walk follows the torrent and allows you to marvel at the beauty of the place. The area is also very popular with canyoning enthusiasts, who find it a cool oasis in summer. The canyon is made up of numerous jumps, abseils, slides and water-walking passages, in a lush, deep-set setting. An activity that's accessible to children, and a great opportunity to have fun with the whole family and enjoy the beautiful Vercors countryside.
Click here to book your canyoning session in Grenoble's Canyon du Furon.
8. What to do in the Vercors? Getting to the hamlet of Valchevrière
The Vercors was a hideout for maquisards during the Second World War. In July 1944, an emblematic battle took place at Valchevrière. It was in this mountain hamlet that a group of Resistance fighters lost their lives in an attempt to block the path of Nazi troops. Today, visitors to this historic site can admire the fire-blackened ruins, where the Germans set fire to the village in retaliation. Only the chapel remains standing. It's an inviting place to meditate, and also offers lovely views of the Vercors, its hills and forests.
9. The Molière and Sornin plateaus
If you're passing through the Vercors, we highly recommend hiking on the Plateau de la Molière et du Sornin, a sensitive natural area offering a mosaic of natural habitats. The 1,324-hectare plateau features moorland landscapes, open grasslands, scree slopes and forest environments. A paradise for flora and fauna, with gentians, grassy pines, marmots, chamois and black grouse. The plateau offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Vercors and Chartreuse massifs, and the Belledonne mountain range. It also offers magnificent sunsets.
10. Saint-Antoine-l'Abbaye, a medieval gem
Saint-Antoine-l'Abbaye, just over 60 km from Grenoble, is a village set in the heart of the fascinating Vercors landscape. Its architectural heritage is exceptional, with winding medieval streets, grand mansions, colorful roofs, the medieval market hall and, of course, the abbey church. This Gothic marvel bears witness to the site's past grandeur and millennia of history. A stroll through the village takes in the Saint-Antoine-l'Abbaye museum, dedicated to the history of the Abbey and the Order of the Hospitallers of Saint-Antoine. A "sentier du flâneur" (stroller's path) allows you to discover the essence of the medieval town and its surrounding countryside.
11. The Garden of Petrifying Fountains
The Jardin des Fontaines Pétrifiantesis an exceptional natural setting in the village of La Sône. A magical site where the work of the gardeners highlights a variety of plant species with humor and poetry. The walk reveals ponds, tufa stones, waterfalls and other unusual objects. It's a botanical world tour, with Mediterranean, exotic, tropical and aquatic plants living in total harmony. Under a cellar, wooden ladders house pottery on which water forms tiny calcite crystals as it flows. These transformed objects can be found in the boutique.
What are the most beautiful Vercors villages to visit?
While the Vercors is renowned for its unspoilt natural environment, the area is also home to some charming villages where you can stroll, set down your suitcases and push open the doors of a restaurant. Cognin-les-Gorges is a typical Dauphiné village, with pretty stone houses, walnut drying sheds, picturesque alleyways and its unmissable church. Situated on the banks of the Isère, La Sône is another village to discover, with a rich heritage, kayaking opportunities and multiple trails that leave from the commune to discover the surrounding nature. Also worth mentioning is the villa du Percy, perched on a hillock and offering 360° views over the Trièves. Set against the foothills of the Vercors, Saint-André-en-Royans is also well worth a visit. A village to discover for its church, its 12th-century castle and its beautiful stone houses.
What to do in the Vercors when it rains?
Don't panic if it rains during your stay in the Vercors. The region is home to underground wonders such as the Grotte de Chroranche and the Grotte de Thaïs, a jewel of prehistory. You can also visit the Maison du Patrimoine in Villard-de-Lans. The museum retraces the life of farming communities on the Vercors plateau in the early 20th century. The town also boasts an aquatic center, a bowling alley, a cinema and plenty of places to enjoy a good snack.
What to do in the Vercors in winter?
The snow invites itself to the Vercors in winter. The village resorts of Col de Rousset, Autrans-Méaudre and Corrençon-en-Vercors offer mountain sports and much more. They are among the best mountain destinations in France for a family holiday. A wide range of activities await families: skiing, ski touring, snowshoeing, dog sledding, biathlon and tobogganing. Autrans also offers caving. When the weather's right, Lans-en-Vercors invites you to go stargazing.
What to do in the Vercors in summer?
Hiking is the main activity in the Vercors Regional Nature Park in summer. There are many places to discover, such as the Gorges du Bruyant and the Plateau de la Molière. And don't forget the legendary Mont Aiguille and Grand Veymont climbs. For mountain bikers, there are numerous trails, including the Narces forest and the Gève meadow. Thrill-seekers can also choose from canyoning, via ferrata and rock climbing. The perfect way to spend a summer in the great outdoors. On horseback, with a donkey or on an all-terrain electric scooter, there's no limit to the ways you can marvel at the sumptuous Vercors landscapes.
If you've enjoyed your stay in the Vercors so much that you're looking for something different, don't miss out on the Drôme and Isère must-sees!
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