Heritage House of Villard-de-Lans

This former town hall from the late 1800s now displays exhibitions across three floors that document mountain life over time. The ground level hosts rotating shows, while the upper floors hold permanent displays of tools, furniture, and objects that shaped daily routines in the region.

The building was constructed in 1888 as the town hall and served that purpose for more than a century. A local collector later opened it as a museum to preserve knowledge about the region's past.

The collections show how mountain communities lived and worked in the high plateaus, with objects that reveal their daily routines and relationships with the landscape. These items help visitors understand the rhythms and patterns of rural alpine life.

The building sits in the town center and its historic architecture makes it easy to spot when walking through the village. Visiting on a weekday afternoon provides a quieter experience and better natural light for viewing the displays.

The museum holds an unusually large collection of ox yokes, more than 130 different types that farmers once used across the region. Each yoke shows regional variations in design and craftsmanship that reflected local conditions and needs.

Location: Villard-de-Lans

Accessibility: Wheelchair inaccessible

GPS coordinates: 45.07083,5.55139

Latest update: December 14, 2025 20:05