Activities

Villard de Lans, Vercors

Villard de Lans is a charming mountain town in the heart of the Vercors Regional Nature Park, located at the foot of the Grande Moucherolle (2285m). Its central location in the Vercors, warm atmosphere, exceptional climate and its ski lift network have made Villard the largest destination in the Vercors thus providing you and your family a variety of hotel, restaurant and entertainment options for your GFNY race week experience.
 
The Vercors Regional Nature Park is an outdoors lover’s dream due to its natural features like tall limestone cliffs, deep gorges, caves, high plateaus, green valleys, mountain pastures, and great biodiversity of fauna and flora. The Vercors’ high cliffs from the massif dominate the valley below, providing awe-inspiring views.
 
Enjoy the cycling on the spectacular and daring roads of the Vercors! These stunning roads were cut out from the cliffside and the exceptional panoramas they offer have made the Vercors famous.
 
A popular outdoors destination that was awarded the Family Plus label, Villard de Lans offers a vast array of activities like hiking, mountain biking, paragliding, climbing and canyoning. During your Vercors visit, experience the vast spaces where nature and history combine, dive into the underground mysteries of caves, and discover the skills of local artisans and farmers for a trip that will make a lasting impression and a provide a sport highlight of your year.

The pre-race expo is held in the city center of Villard de Lans. Balcon de Villard, a resort located 5 km from the town of Villard de Lans, hosts the start and finish line of the race, as well as the post-race festivities.

Nature & Discovery

To fully enjoy the extraordinary Vercors Regional Natural Park, explore its trails on foot, by bike, or by car. Thrill-seekers can also try climbing, canyoning, caving, or paragliding.

Spectacular scenic roads cross the Vercors, including the famous Combe Laval and Col de Rousset routes, as well as the Bourne Gorges, offering breathtaking views.

Pont-en-Royans is a picturesque village where colorful houses overlook the Bourne River.

The Bourne Gorges are one of the major highlights of the Vercors Regional Natural Park and have been awarded 3 stars by the Michelin Guide. Beyond the village of Choranche, the road continues through stunning landscapes, particularly at the Cirque de Bournillon.

The Goule Noire bridge offers striking views that showcase the erosion shaped by underground water in the Vercors. The Choranche caves stand as an impressive testament to the power of these subterranean waters.

Culture & History

A Rich Historical Heritage
It is impossible to speak about the Vercors massif without mentioning its significant historical past. This mountainous region was a stronghold of the French Resistance during World War II, and many memorial sites still bear witness to this dark period in history.

Valchevrière
Destroyed in July 1944, Valchevrière is one of the most moving sites in the massif. The ruins have been preserved as they were: blackened stones, open walls, and an atmosphere of profound silence. Only the 19th-century chapel was spared.

Accessible from the Bois Barbu Nordic site (a 1 to 1.5-hour round-trip walk), the hamlet can be discovered on a family-friendly hike. An 8 km Way of the Cross also connects Villard-de-Lans to the site, marked by unique stations along the route.

To Better Understand the Region’s History…
Maison du Patrimoine à Villard de Lans

Located in the former town hall (built in 1888), recognizable by its blue shutters and bell tower, the Heritage House is a local history museum that traces the evolution of life on the Vercors plateau.

The permanent exhibition covers:

  • 19th-century rural and agricultural life
  • The rise of climate tourism
  • The development of tourism
  • The 1968 Winter Olympics
  • The French Resistance

Temporary exhibitions are also held throughout the year.

Sports & Leisure Activities

Here, outdoor activities are plentiful and accessible to everyone, regardless of level: hiking, cycling, golf, trail running, canyoning, caving, mountain karting, cani-hiking, and paragliding. A diverse playground to enjoy at your own pace.

Hiking
With over 1,000 km of marked and maintained trails, Villard-de-Lans is the perfect starting point to discover the unspoiled beauty of the Vercors. From easy walks to more challenging high-altitude routes, including the GR91 and crossings of the high plateaus, there is something for every level.

An online hiking guide is available, featuring around thirty routes suitable for all abilities.

Cycling
The “4 Mountains” area is a true playground for cycling enthusiasts in all its forms: mountain biking, e-MTB, road cycling, downhill, and gravel.

Enjoy your favorite discipline—or try something new.

Golf
From May onwards, the Corrençon-en-Vercors golf course unfolds through clearings and forests. This 18-hole course offers a peaceful setting, ideal for focused play in harmony with nature, and is considered one of the most beautiful mountain golf courses.

Nearby, a training area includes a 45-bay driving range, a bunker, and a 5-hole practice course open to all.

During the summer season, ranking competitions are held weekly, along with additional weekend events for more experienced players.

What If It Rains?

No worries—the leisure complex offers a wide range of activities for everyone:

  • Aquatic center with a wave pool
  • Ice rink (home to the “Ours” hockey team and skating competitions)
  • Fitness area
  • Bowling alley
  • Trampoline park
  • And nearby, the Villard-de-Lans Casino

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