Villard de lans in summer

Villard de lans is a principal cantonal town and historic centre of the vercors. at 1050 metres and with more than 4000 inhabitants, it rises in tiers up the slopes of the foothills of the grande moucherolle mountain.

Discover regional customs  The farmers of Villard de Lans and Corrençon en Vercors are both proud of their heritage, and keen to maintain a traditional mountain-farming approach. Perhaps that's why they take such pleasure in offering visitors a taste of their traditional fare. Local produce includes goat cheese and the celebrated "Bleu du Vercors/Sassenage" which has been made here for 600 years.  Visit and food tasting in a farm.

Heritage centre  This is one of the finest and most interesting places to visit if you really want to understand what life was like for mountain dwellers in the old days. The Maison du Patrimoine comprising three levels, is tastefully installed in the former town hall. The many exhibits patiently brought together by a real lover of the Vercors, Jacques Lamoure, include tools, every day utensils , and photo. Visitors will appreciate documents presenting the "Villarde", cattle bred for the tough terrain, climate and farm-work found in the Vercors. There is also an exceptional collection of yokes and a whole room is given over to the bear, whose statue in the town square recalls a not too distant past.

The enchanted bear’s den  Discover the secret of the legendary bear and other wild beasties of the Vercors. The last old Bruno of the Alps was spotted in the Vercors, and here we tell his story from birth to reinsertion. There are animated tableaux to charm you and yours, so come and see Bruno and his companions the wild sheep, chamois, boar, deer, roe- deer, ibex, marmot, grouse, ptarmigan, badger, and fox…Hear the braying stag, the song of birds and the cry of the marmot.

Valchevrière  This forest hamlet served as a camp for members of the Resistance before the bloody armed clash which took place on the 22nd and 23rd of July 1944. There is a viewpoint above the village where many made the ultimate sacrifice, dying fighting to delay the Nazi advance. Afterwards, the village was put to the torch. Only the chapel was spared. The hamlet remains as it was then, bare, smoke-blackened stones. The stations of the cross which link Villard de Lans and Valchevrière have been constructed in such a way that each bears its own unique testimony. Today Valchevrière, a place of silence and reverence, is one of the most moving and evocative sites recalling the Resistance in the Vercors.

Choranche cave  Discovering this unique site in Europe is something you can't miss. This cave is one of the most beautiful in Europe.  You'll see exceptionnal long and fine stalactites called "fistuleuses"  One hour guided tour.

Sport and leisure  You'll have the possibility to choose between: canyoning, climbing, paragliding and caving.

The magical machines  At lans en vercors, come into a fairy world where everything is dream and magic. walk through the 300 machines that are moving on music and lights.