Vercors massif

The Vercors is a limestone massif and regional natural park in southeastern France, spanning parts of the Drôme and Isère departments. It comprises high plateaus, steep cliffs, deep gorges and a patchwork of forest and alpine pasture.

Outdoor activities are a primary draw - the massif supports extensive hiking and climbing routes, via ferrata, caving, cross-country skiing and backcountry routes across its plateaus and escarpments. Scenic drives and viewpoints showcase dramatic karst formations and wooded valleys.

The Vercors also has significant modern history as a major center of French Resistance during World War II; the area is home to memorials and museums that interpret the events of 1944. Postwar conservation resulted in the establishment of the Parc naturel régional du Vercors to protect landscapes and biodiversity.

Geographically, the massif sits between Grenoble to the east and Valence to the west in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region and forms part of the French Prealps overlooking the Rhône valley.

• Highest point: Highest peak commonly cited as Grand Veymont at about 2,341 metres.
• WWII history: A major center of French Resistance activity in World War II, with memorials and museums commemorating events of 1944.

What to See #

• Grand Veymont: The Grand Veymont, commonly cited as the highest summit of the massif at about 2,341 metres, which anchors the Hauts-Plateaux area and many hiking routes.
• Grotte de Choranche: The Grotte de Choranche, a show cave on the Vercors' limestone plateau known for its fine stalactites and an underground river used in public visits.
• Vercors Regional Natural Park: The Parc naturel régional du Vercors, a protected area that spans much of the massif and coordinates conservation, recreation and local cultural heritage.