South-east of France, draw a circle going through Romans-sur-Isère, Grenoble and Die and you will find the Vercors (vɛʁ.kɔʁ). It is a mountain range of the pre-alps, which name is supposed to come from the first men living there: the Vertamocorii. Especially relevant, the area is preserved by the Natural Regional Park.
Incredible landscape
We often refer to the Vercors as a fortress, historically because its large limestone cliffs gave few accesses to the highlands. The higher summit is called Grand Veymont (2 341m) and its name may come from vey = see (voir in French) and mont = mountain (montagne in french).
The Vercors has remained a rural area and few locals leave there all year long. The main activities are related to the wood industry and cattle breeding. If you are lucky, you can assist in June the transhumance departure in Die, where farmers lead their sheep to the plateaux, and enjoy responsibly a glass of Clairette.
Breathtaking views over large cliffs, highlands and forests are memorable, to be enjoyed during a sportive or peaceful trip far from the madding crowd.
Outdoor activities all year long
Map GTV Vercors ©Pnrv
All year long, the Vercors offers a wide range of activities close to nature. As any mountain in Europe, winter is cold and snowy. It is a good destination to enjoy all kind of ski (alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, even for the bravest) , snowshoeing and even sled dogs. Summer is very nice, as it benefits from a Mediterranean influence. The place is paradise for hiking, climbing and mountain biking.
The rangers of the Park designed some impressive trails under the name Great crossings of the Vercors (GTV). They enable fantastic adventures in winter and summer. Theses trails are ‘real’ crossing North-South or East-West or loops around the Natural park. For example for hikers there is a 350 kilometers loop and for mountain biker a 230 kilometers loop. Horse riders can enjoy a 60 kilometers North-South crossing (see a map of the trails). In winter, trails are available for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing or ski touring.
“Le chamois des Alpes bondit”
For the one inspired about history and cultural heritage, visit the famous caves of Choranche and la Luire and the abbeys of Leoncel and Valcroissant among others. In the French memory, the Vercors remains an important place for the resistance during WWII, where people hide and fight to escape the mandatory work in Germany. Some monuments can be seen and an interesting museum has been inaugurated in 1994.
Access to the Vercors
- Grenoble is a gate to access the north of the Vercors. A tram line existed in the past but is now closed. Public buses n° 5100 and 5110 connect Grenoble to Lans-en-Vercors (schedule). Additional services are available in winter to connect ski resorts with transaltitude.
- Access by the west is possible via Valence, Romans and Die. The public bus 05 runs from Valence, Valence TGV and Romans to the Vercors (schedule). An on-demand service is available to la Chapelle-en-Vercors with pre-booking by phone 0810 26 26 07 (in French). In winter, an additional service connected Valence TGV train station to the ski resorts of the Vercors (schedule)
- Transisere n°5120 and 5130 connect different villages of the Vercors (schedule)
Contact local tourism boards to know the best way to reach your destination.
Music
A song from the famous french singer Alain Bashung mentions the Vercors “la nuit je mens”
Pictures Wild France & L.Pascale CDT Drome