Villard-de-Lans

Villard-de-Lans extends across 167 square kilometers of terrain in the Vercors Massif, with elevations ranging from 720 to 2,286 meters above sea level.

During World War II, the commune sheltered the only Polish high school operating in Occupied Europe and provided refuge for young students. The town later became a key base for French Resistance fighters organizing operations throughout the Vercors region.

The Wednesday market in Villard-de-Lans brings together local producers who present regional specialties, agricultural products, and traditional mountain crafts from the Vercors region.

Multiple ski lifts serve the slopes above the village and provide access to groomed runs for downhill and cross-country skiing. Hikers will find marked trails that pass through forests and open mountain meadows, with sturdy footwear recommended for the terrain.

The commune hosted the Olympic luge competitions in 1968, which required construction of a purpose-built track using more than 1,800 cubic meters of reinforced concrete. The structure demanded precise engineering to create the fast curves and steep gradients of the racing course.

Location: canton of Villard-de-Lans

Location: Isère

Location: arrondissement of Grenoble

Elevation above the sea: 1,308 m

Shares border with: Autrans-Méaudre-en-Vercors, Saint-Julien-en-Vercors, Saint-Martin-en-Vercors, Château-Bernard, Corrençon-en-Vercors, Le Gua, Lans-en-Vercors, Rencurel, Saint-Paul-de-Varces

Address: 38250 Villard-de-Lans, France

Opening Hours: Monday 09:00-16:45; Tuesday-Sunday 09:00-16:30

Phone: +33476945000

Email: info@villard-de-lans.fr

Website: http://villard-de-lans.fr

GPS coordinates: 45.07000,5.55056

Latest update: December 13, 2025 19:09