For a long time difficult to access, the Vercors is surrounded by impressive cliffs. On its western facade, which looks out over the Royans plain, titanic works have been undertaken to simplify the transport of wood. Thus at the end of the 19th century, panoramic roads were carved into the rock, with spectacular tunnels that will give you a thrill.
Why choose the Vercors for a camping holiday?
Amidst forests and flower-filled meadows stretching as far as the eye can see, and spectacular caves
Straddling the Isère and Drôme departments, the Vercors Regional Nature Park is an ideal destination for lovers of the great outdoors. Its spectacular cliffs, forests, high plateaus and mountain villages offer a perfect setting for a holiday in the great outdoors.
A camping holiday in the Vercors allows you to enjoy a preserved environment whilst discovering a wide variety of activities. Hikers explore the trails of the Hauts-Plateaux, cyclists take the scenic roads and routes of the ViaVercors, whilst families enjoy the many outdoor activities on offer in summer.
The massif also appeals for its cool summer climate. At a moderate altitude, it offers a pleasant alternative to the intense heat of the Rhône Valley, whilst remaining easily accessible from Grenoble, Valence or Lyon.
With its heritage, gastronomy and natural beauty, the Vercors has everything you need for a camping holiday full of discoveries.
Which campsite should you choose in the Vercors?
Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly campsite with a swimming pool, a site nestled in the mountains or an ideal base for exploring the villages of the Vercors, there are plenty of campsites in the Vercors where you can discover the region’s treasures.
At the entrance to the Vercors on the Drôme side, the four-star Le Grand Lierne campsite in Châteaudouble is an excellent base for exploring the massif’s cliffs, the Drôme valley and the Valence region. Its extensive water park makes it a popular destination for families.
In Die, the municipal campsite of Justin** enjoys a prime location on the banks of the Drôme, close to the historic centre and the iconic landscapes of the Diois. It is an ideal starting point for exploring the villages, vineyards and hiking trails of southern Vercors.
Nestled in the heart of the mountains, the Yelloh! Village Les 4 Montagnes**** campsite in Autrans welcomes holidaymakers to a typical mountain setting, just a stone’s throw from the village. Its location makes it easy to enjoy the hiking trails, outdoor activities and panoramic views of the Vercors plateau.
Further south, the Les Chapelains*** campsite in Saillans charms visitors with its natural setting on the banks of the Drôme and its proximity to the spectacular landscapes of the Vercors in the Drôme.
Finally, in Villard-de-Lans, the L'Oursière**** campsite offers a stay just a few minutes from the resort centre whilst providing excellent access to hiking, sports activities and the wide-open spaces of the Vercors Regional Nature Park.
The must-see sites of the Vercors, to discover during your camping holiday
From the Grenoble conurbation, the roads climb rapidly towards the first foothills of the Vercors, before reaching the plateaus and open landscapes of the massif. Access is via the winding roads and viewpoint at Saint-Nizier-du-Moucherotte. This offers a chance to admire the Chartreuse, Écrins, Belledonne and Taillefer massifs.
Once on the plateaus, you reach the lovely cross-country skiing areas of Autrans and Méaudre, which in spring are covered in a carpet of multicoloured flowers. Lans-en-Vercors is also a prime starting point for exploring the major cross-country routes through the massif.
The Vercors can also be explored through its charming villages, scattered across the plateaus and valleys. Villard-de-Lans is the main resort, bustling all year round, whilst Corrençon-en-Vercors charms visitors with its more unspoilt atmosphere at the foot of the forests. In the Royans, Saint-Jean-en-Royans is one of the main gateways to the Vercors, at the foot of the cliffs and spectacular roads leading to the massif.
Further south, the Drôme valley opens onto the Diois region with the town of Die, the gateway to the southern landscapes on the edge of the Vercors.
As the main town in the Vercors, Villard-de-Lans is home to most of the shops, with a water sports centre and a host of activities close to the surrounding forests. Nearby, Corrençon-en-Vercors offers a quieter, more unspoilt atmosphere.
The area is defined by a vast regional park established in 1970, covering a large part of the massif between the Isère and Drôme rivers. Among the iconic sites are the Cirque d’Archiane and the spectacular silhouette of Mont Aiguille. The massif rises to its highest point at Grand Veymont (2,341 m), at the heart of a landscape of forests and high plateaus.
The roads themselves are part of the experience: the Col de la Bataille leads to the Cistercian Abbey of Léoncel, whilst the Furon, Combe Laval, Grands Goulets and Bourne gorges offer spectacular routes between cliffs and viewpoints.
Finally, the Choranche Caves are among the massif’s major natural attractions. Waterfalls, an underground lake and sculpted limestone formations create a remarkable subterranean setting. Below, the hanging houses of Pont-en-Royans overlook the River Bourne.
What to do in the Vercors?
For sports enthusiasts and nature lovers
The Vercors is, above all, a destination for the great outdoors.
At the heart of the massif, the Hauts-Plateaux du Vercors Nature Reserve is one of the wildest and most iconic areas in the region. Accessible only on foot, it offers an unspoilt mountain experience, with vast expanses, high-altitude pastures and rocky landscapes. It is a prime destination for hikers seeking wide open spaces and absolute tranquillity.
In winter, the Autrans and Méaudre plateaus are home to renowned Nordic ski areas, whilst in the warmer months, the landscapes transform into vast areas for hiking and mountain biking.
With over 2,800 km of trails, the massif is ideal for long cross-country treks on foot, horseback or by bike, particularly around Lans-en-Vercors and the high plateaus. The Vercors can also be explored by bike thanks to the ViaVercors, a dedicated cycle route linking several villages in the massif. Suitable for families as well as those seeking a more challenging ride, it allows you to traverse the plateau’s landscapes at a leisurely pace, passing through forests, meadows and small mountain villages.
Meanwhile, the massif’s terrain offers more challenging activities such as caving in the grottos, as well as via ferrata, rock climbing and canyoning in the surrounding gorges. Exploring the vertiginous roads that wind through the gorges and cliffs completes these more intense experiences, combining thrills with spectacular views.
Finally, make the most of the Vercors in summer by planning a day of swimming in the great outdoors, particularly in the designated swimming areas or at the leisure centres. Among the best known are the Marandan leisure centre, Lake Champos and Lake Roybon, all easily accessible from the main gateways to the Vercors.
For culture and heritage enthusiasts
The Vercors is also a region steeped in history, with several historic sites linked to the Resistance, now incorporated into discovery trails, notably in Valchevrière and Vassieux-en-Vercors.
Another interesting cultural outing to plan is an exploration of the massif’s prehistoric and archaeological past, which is particularly evident around Vassieux-en-Vercors. The Vercors Prehistory Museum traces the presence of the first inhabitants through tools, artefacts and reconstructions of daily life. Nearby, the Draye Blanche cave completes this immersive experience by taking visitors into a natural site that has been inhabited since prehistoric times.
Between underground galleries and traces of ancient occupation, these sites offer a different, more intimate perspective on the region, where the rock and caves tell the story of several millennia of human history.
The flavours of the Vercors: a generous cuisine
After exploring the massif’s natural and cultural treasures, the Vercors can also be discovered through its flavours and iconic produce. The Vercors and its neighbouring valleys offer authentic local cuisine, influenced by both the mountains and Dauphiné traditions. Highlights include ravioli, river trout, mushrooms, and the famous Vercors-Sassenage blue cheese. When it comes to sweet treats, blueberry tarts are a must-try.
Nearby, in the Drôme valley, Clairette de Die adds a sparkling touch to local tastings. Discover it by visiting the cellars of Die-Jaillance.
The Vercors thus lives in tune with the seasons, with cultural events, traditional festivals and sporting events. An ideal destination to explore whilst camping, allowing you to fully enjoy the diversity of the landscapes and the unique atmosphere of the massif, set amidst unspoilt nature and mountain villages.