Villard de Lans
Why Villard de Lans Village?
- Short transfer time being only 35 mins from Grenoble Airport
- Excellent selection of summer activities
- Traditional pretty mountain village
Villard de Lans Village Information
Villard de Lans and Corrençon existed long before the development of tourist resorts. Even today, their tranquil village life goes on, following the seasons, as the two villages have managed to preserve their quality of life: busy local life, local products, new builds respecting tradition and the identity of the region.
Villard de Lans is a lively village - the largest market centre of the Vercors massif. At the foot of the Grande Moucherolle, the village has retained its architectural heritage and friendly atmosphere, both of which are a legacy from the early 20th century. Before winter sports took off in 1925, it was fashionable to come here for “healthy air and milk”. Today, the town has a population of over 4000, with pedestrian streets, a market, shops, a wave pool, an indoor ice rink, an exceptional sledging space, a bowling alley, a casino, a museum and other amenities that are busy round the year.
Villard/Corrençon ranks among the top 10 best-equipped resorts in France! And, for nature lovers, hundreds of kilometres of marked trails, a bike resort, a trail running resort and an 18-hole golf course popular with golf lovers awaits you.
An important page in the history of Mountain Biking was written at Villard de Lans in 1987. The village earned its reputation as the “Mecca” of Mountain Biking in France, following the success of the 1st Mountain Bike World Championships. For the 1st time, top-ranking American and European competitors gathered at the same starting line to vie for the title. 400 pioneers came head to head for two days and three different challenges, the first a downhill race from the summit of the gondola lift Cote 2000, a promotional race and a top challenge for world champions. The event contributed to the popularity of Mountain Biking and the Vercors region, which is perfectly adapted to this new discipline and draws the attention of cycling fans who wanted something off the beaten tarmac. The Descente and Enduro Bike Parks appear in the list of top ten French resorts and provide a global offering adapted to all levels of practice, nine itineraries with permanent downhill runs, four Enduro itineraries, one pump track and one Trial zone.
They are very proud of their ski champions, having trained for over 40 years here. Altitude and terrain have naturally made the two villages the homes of some of the best French winter sports athletes.
5km away from Villard de Lans you have the village of Correncon en Vercors, which stands against the backdrop of the largest Natural Reserve in France.
The Vercors Park boasts many prestigious AOPs (products with a protected origin) such as the famous Grenoble walnuts (since 1938), Picodon cheese (goats cheese), the Clairette de Die, and the Châtillons en Diois wines plus Fario trout. The favourite: the Blue cheese from Vercors Sassenage, produced here for over 600 years! "La Villarde" is a mixed breed of cattle from Villard-de-Lans that is raised as much for its quality meat as for its milk. This latter is used to produce the AOC cheese "Bleu du Vercors-Sassenage".
Top summer activities to experience in Villard de Lans
Please note Peak Retreats do not book any activities and most activities are payable therefore the below is just for information. More detailed information and how to book can be found on the tourist office website
Here are some ideas of activities, however there is plenty more on offer!
Villard/Corrençon ranks among the top 10 best-equipped resorts in France! And, for nature lovers, hundreds of kilometres of marked trails, a bike resort, a trail running resort and an 18-hole golf course popular with golf lovers awaits you.
Market
All year round on Wednesdays
In the heart of the village of Villard de Lans, the marketplace is just another place to meet up and chat with the villagers, as well as the perfect opportunity to discover regional products or simply stroll through the village streets.
Vercors farmers market
Every Friday in the school holidays in July & August on the place de la Liberation.
Caves
Vercors is one of the most beautiful karsts in Europe: limestone mountains where water flows very little on the surface as it runs over the rocks and disappears into the earth. Over the millennia, this has resulted in exceptional underwater landscapes. Caves were adapted and brought to light so that this hidden world can be enjoyed by all. Follow your guide for a wondrous and educational voyage back in time. Speleology available.
Zone Experience
Discover several fun courses (tubing, tubby jump) with a 130m slope carpet, an orienteering course and, in the air, a 220m zipline with bends (1m10 minimum and closed shoes). Open in the afternoons in summer.
Correncon golf course
Located on a hilly green right at the gates of the Vercors Hauts Plateaux Nature Reserve. This 18-hole course offers a moment of true tranquility. Next to the golf course, you can access a space dedicated to teaching beginners, with 45 driving-range tees, a training bunker and a five-hole teaching course.
For the more experienced, ranking competitions are organised every Tuesday in July and August on the 18-hole course, and every Thursday on the 9-hole course. Sponsored competitions are scheduled on weekends.
Mountain biking and road biking
Discover the VTT/FFC No 25 mounting-biking site! These cover 10 fully redesigned, reorganised and signposted routes, providing something for all levels with three green, four blue, two red and one black route. These routes are also supplemented by the GTV Vercors Long-Distance Crossings, representing 318 km of trails.
Bike Park - downhill biking - The Villard-de-Lans Bike Park is the first French resort to open at the beginning of June. This resort, dedicated to downhill mountain biking (DH) and Enduro, located at the Espace Villard-Corrençon, is easily accessible thanks to the “Cote 2000” gondola lift, with space for three mountain bikes and their rider.
The upper part of the Bike Park begins with a single starting point and track, on the Carambar green route, which then opens up to 6 possible routes – with a green, 3 blue, a red and a black option, all offering a total descent of 15km.
You can also try your hand at Gravel biking, a new style of cycling that merges road bike, cyclocross and a rigid mountain bike. With 95km of routes, made up of 3 trails (green, blue and red), specially designed for this new style of sports cycling and cyclotourism, gravel biking subtly mixes paved road and track.
Nordic walking
Try Nordic walking (with poles), take a donkey with you to motivate the children, take to the trail if you are used to jogging at home or why not try the orienteering course for a more light-hearted outing surrounded by nature!
Hiking
With almost 3,000km of marked walking and hiking trails, discover the Vercors Natural Park, a hiker’s paradise.
Hiking with donkeys
Hiking with a donkey is the ultimate experience to share with family or friends. With or without a guide.
The Via Vercors paths
Gentle mountain path! It connects the various villages of the Quatre Montagnes plateau, all year long. Discover these accessible routes, adapted for various disciplines and available all year round! A total of six sections are available, connecting Villard-de-Lans, Corrençon-en-Vercors, Lans en Vercors, Autrans, Méaudre, Saint-Nizier du Moucherotte and Engins.
You can even do a short additional loop from the Pont de l’Amour to the La Fauge waterfall! Refreshing in summer and icy in winter, it’s well worth the detour.
3 routes:
- Between Correncon en Vercors and Villard de Lans on foot - 8.5km
Don’t miss the old luge track from the 1968 Olympic Games along the way. - Through the gorges of Villard de Lans and Meaudre by electric bike - 10km
Discover this portion of the Via Vercors, which will lead you through forest paths, wooden pontoons on stilts and its footbridges to make your way across the Méaudret river. Along the way, you’ll pass by the Vercors Lait Cooperative, famous for producing the famous Bleu du Vercors-Sassenage cheese. Option to continue to Autrans, though this will add another 9 km - Take the former tram line between Villard de Lans and Lans en Vercors - 8km
Almost completely flat Via Vercors trail. In the past, this path was used by the tram from Grenoble heading towards Villard, hence its very straight layout.
Roller skis in Nordic park
With over 14km of accumulated loops on the site, the Nordic sports guides will introduce you in the afternoons to roller skis and shooting (biathlon) with 25 shooting lanes equipped with mechanical targets at Hauts Plateaux Nordic Centre. Lessons available in the resort.
Rock climbing
Learn how to rock climb in the legendary pathways of the Presles cliffs where Vercors comes into its own. You can rock climb on your own, as part of a school or with a guide. All year long, depending on the weather, you can rock climb in the Vercors site under the guidance of experienced professionals. In Villard de Lans and Corrençon, the Vallon de la Fauge and the Rochers de Combeauvieux are two highly complementary sites (from 3 to 7b+). Via ferrata is also available.
Paragliding
In the heart of the Vercros, in the Villard de Lans/Côte 2000 ski area, fulfil your dreams. Take off with Cédric, a state-qualified instructor, get a real bird's eye view of the Vercors plateau and its snow-capped mountains (Cornafion, Grande Moucherolle, the Gerbier ridge, etc.).
Tandem paragliding flights from the top of the Cote 2000 cable car, landing at the bottom of the Villard slopes (an altitude drop of 600m).
Mountain kart
From the top of the Cote 2000 Gondola lift, take to the mountain in this impressive little vehicle. The Mountain Kart is a three-wheeled, engineless machine accessible to all (minimum height 1m30). For a gentle ride or a sporting challenge, the feeling of speed comes from being so close to the ground throughout your descent.
Aquatic centre
The Villard aquatic centre is located in the heart of the village. On the hour, the indoor pool transforms into a wave pool and your children are sure to have a blast (they’ll sleep well tonight!). Meanwhile, others enjoy the sun on the grassy areas of the indoor pool, with slides and paddling pools for the little ones. There is also an outdoor pool.
Espace des Bains
Mini golf, beach sports, beach soccer field, beach volleyball...
Ice rink
With its 1800m2 of ice, the ice rink can provide a welcome breath of cool air in summer. For the little ones, they offer kicksleds to allow them to enjoy the ice in a different way. Skate hire available.
Le Rex cinema
Le Rex is a 360 seat cinema with 3D projection, screening international events, live shows.
Bowling
Come to share a friendly moment in family or between friends, in the day and in the evening. Compulsory attendance of an adult for less than 16 years old.
Casino
Every day throughout the year. The casino includes 70 slot machines, stud poker, blackjack, bar, restaurant. Entry refused to under 18s., proof of identity required. Entry prohibited to minors - ID required.
Villard de Lans restaurants and bars
There are over 15 bars and restaurants in Villard de Lans. There is also pub/club called Discotheque Le Country open all year around and the Hiboubox.
You’ll find a selection from creperies, pizzerias, snack bars, Gourmet/Gastronomic restaurants, typical French Savoyarde restaurants, bars/cafes that line the bottom of the slopes etc.
Many shops open all year round in Villard de Lans! 60 shops are even open on Sundays!
Various shops to buy regional products, bakery, patisserie, fishmongers, boulangerie, cremerie, fruit/vegetable store, tea/coffee shop, charcuterie, épicerie, sports shops, pharmacy, vets, dentist, physiotherapists, doctors, opticians, osteopaths, tabac, clothing stores. You really are spoilt for choice!
There is a 24/24h petrol station in Villard de Lans.
There are also general supermarkets – Superette Spar, Intermarche, Casino, Superette Proxi.
Vercors Lait Cooperative dairy are producers of Bleu du Vercors Sassenage AOP. This cheese is made according to a tasty recipe that is over six centuries old, which was revived in the 1990s by some ten producers. In addition to the iconic Vercors cheese, you will also find a host of other cheeses from the Dauphiné region: Col vert, Brique du Vercors, Saint-Marcellin, Saint-Félicien etc. Open every day in Villard de Lans
Getting to Villard de Lans, France
By road
Driving distance from Calais to Villard de Lans approx. 890km (554 miles) (approx. 8hrs30)
Two special recharging points are available in the villages. Tourist office Information.
By rail & air
The nearest train station for Villard de Lans is Grenoble, 40km away.
4 international airports are nearby. We don't book flights, we invite you to do your own research.
Geneva Airport to Villard de Lans is roughly 186km, approximately 2hr 15 mins
Chambery Savoie Mont Blanc Airport to Villard de Lans is roughly 107km, approximately 1hr 30 mins
Grenoble Alpes Isere Airport to Villard de Lans is roughly 66km, approximately 1hr
Lyon-Saint Exupery Airport to Villard de Lans is roughly 112km, approximately 1hr 30 mins
Private taxi transfers
Private taxi transfers from airports and train stations are pre-bookable with Peak Retreats. See our airport & station transfers page for more information.
