Vercors

The Vercors, in the Dauphiné, is a range of forest-covered hills between the Rhône valley and the Route d'Hiver des Alpes rising to 2,346m/7,697ft in the Grand Veymont and broken up by deeply indented valleys and gorges. Since 1970 it has been part of a Regional Nature Park which also takes in the surrounding districts of Royans, Diois and Trièves. Between 1942 and 1944 the Vercors was a stronghold of the French Resistance, and during the fighting the villages of St-Nizier, Vassieux and La Chapelle were destroyed.

In 1968 some events in the Winter Olympics were staged in the Vercors (Autrans, St-Nizier, Villard- de-Lans).

There are numerous paths and trails allowing visitors to explore the Vercors either on foot or on horseback. In winter there are excellent facilities for winter sports.