VERCORS

The Vercors is a magical place where gleaming vertical cliffs meet wild and desolate plateaux. This region forms part of the pre-Alps, a discontinuous chain of limestone peaks that run up the western side of the Alps.

The Vercors is designated a Regional Park and is made up of large valleys, limestone plateaux, deep gorges and gigantic cliffs over 1500 feet high. The main summits are to be found on the eastern fringe of the range where the Grand Veymont reaches 2,341 metres in height. Breath-taking faces span the horizon for miles on end glowing golden hues in the morning and evening sun.

The south-eastern corner of the Vercors, the Trièves, is known affectionately as the French Dolomites and here, perhaps more than anywhere else, you will be left in awe at the stunning landscape. The centre piece of this amazing area is without doubt the Mont Aiguille, an awesome rock tower cast off from the main cliffs. You will never tire from gazing at its vertical flanks, with its dramatic profile changing with each footstep.

In addition the Vercors is home to a host of natural wonders fashioned out of the porous limestone; extraordinary caves, underground glaciers, fantastic waterfalls, rock arches, rock cirques and a natural well 120m deep are just some of the features you will get to experience.

The Vercors climate is at the cross roads of different climatic regimes; the west influenced by the Atlantic, the south by the Mediterranean and the east benefiting from the shadow of the mountains. Although it can be wet at times, the climate is consistent with the rest of the Alps in that it experiences a large number of sunny days.
 
The Vercors is haven for a multitude of wildlife with deer, wild boar, hares, chamois, marmottes and the famous alpine Bouquetin roaming the upland slopes. As for the flora, there are 80 protected species represented, including the Sabot de Venus, pictured right, and wild tulips.

In addition, the Vercors has managed to maintain much of its authentic mountain heritage and artisan activities. There are a number of remarkable villages, including Pont-en-Royans in the Bourne Gorge where historic houses perch perilously on rocky outcrops suspended over the river. A 30m bridge spans the gap over the river Bourne to join the two parts of the village, built on two separate outcrops.

The Vercors played an important part in the history of the French resistance. Many of the villages and mountain passes saw bloody combat and loss of life, and today a number of memorials help to remember the war-time events.

A number of gastronomic specialities are specific to the farming in the Vercors, including the cheese “Bleu de Vercors-Sassenage” produced on 167 farms. Like most alpine regions, cheese (especially the Bleu) often forms an important part of many local dishes. Such a meal is the mouth-watering Beef filet in mushroom and cheese gratin, which is great when washed down with a glass of Claret de Die. A stay in the Vercors will be a gastronomic delight for vegetarians and meat eaters alike.

If you are wondering why such a fantastic sounding region is relatively unknown, well it’s due to the nature of the landscape and a lack of accommodation in certain areas. The rock walls restrict access points onto the plateau and without manned refuges, the possibility of undertaking multi-day walks are restricted to hardy back-packers. 

Guided walking holiday: Vercors - Jewel in the Alps