Vercors

The Vercors is a mountain range in the French Prealps that extends across the department of IsŔre and neighboring DrŰme. Its limestone cliffs rise abruptly from the surrounding valleys and form plateaus cut by deep gorges.

During World War II, the terrain became a stronghold for the French Resistance, which sheltered fighters and refugees here. German forces launched a major offensive in July 1944 that led to heavy losses among fighters and civilians.

Alpine cheese varieties are made here using methods that have changed little over centuries and mature in small huts on the high pastures. Farmers bring their herds to the mountain meadows each summer, where you can still hear cowbells and smell fresh whey.

Marked paths connect the villages and open up both gentle plateaus and steep slopes, though snowshoes or skis may be needed in winter. The best starting points are at the edges of the range, where parking areas and trail maps are available.

Beneath the plateaus stretches a network of caves and underground river channels that spelunkers have been exploring for decades. The Gouffre Berger was the deepest known cave in the world when discovered in the 1950s.

Location: Isère

Elevation above the sea: 2,341 m

Made from material: sedimentary rock

Part of: Dauphiné

Address: Vercors Massif, 38250 Corrençon-en-Vercors, France

GPS coordinates: 44.96667,5.41667

Latest update: December 15, 2025 01:50