{"id":81768,"date":"2016-05-04T11:18:45","date_gmt":"2016-05-04T09:18:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/centcols.org\/sejour-estival-a-vassieux-en-vercors-drome-du-16-au-24-juillet-2016\/"},"modified":"2025-09-01T18:06:16","modified_gmt":"2025-09-01T16:06:16","slug":"stay-2016-vassieux","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/centcols.org\/en\/sejour-2016-vassieux\/","title":{"rendered":"Summer break in Vassieux-en-Vercors (Dr\u00f4me) from 16 to 24 July 2016"},"content":{"rendered":"

Presentation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The 2016 summer holiday will take place from 16 to 24 July at Piroulet<\/a> in the commune of Vassieux-en-Vercors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The photos on this page (landscapes, fauna, flora) were mainly supplied by Mich\u00e8le Sassoulas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Vassieux<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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the village of Vassieux-en-Vercors from the rocks of Beausi\u00e8re<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Dauphin\u00e9<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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the windmills of Vassieux<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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the Resistance memorial at the Col de la Chau<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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fog scarf over the Col de la Bataille<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Introduction to the region<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Vercors is a massif in the Pre-Alps region of south-eastern France, straddling the departments of Is\u00e8re and Dr\u00f4me, and rising to an altitude of 2,341 metres at Grand Veymont. The Is\u00e8re part is much better known for tourism, particularly winter tourism, thanks to the fame brought by the 1968 Grenoble Olympic Games. Autrans, Villard-de-Lans and Saint-Nizier-du-Moucherotte were the venues for the Nordic events (cross-country skiing and ski jumping). The Dr\u00f4me part of the massif is much wilder, and that's where we'll be staying this summer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

La g\u00e9ographie du Vercors est souvent r\u00e9sum\u00e9e par le terme \u00ab plateau \u00bb. Vue de loin, elle semble simple : la diff\u00e9rence d\u2019altitude entre le massif et les vall\u00e9es est de plusieurs centaines de m\u00e8tres, pour atteindre les zones habit\u00e9es qui se trouvent entre 800 et 1 200 m\u00e8tres d\u2019altitude. La cr\u00eate du flanc oriental, longue de cinquante kilom\u00e8tres, pr\u00e9sente plusieurs sommets qui d\u00e9passent les 2 000 m\u00e8tres d\u2019altitude, l\u2019int\u00e9rieur du massif oscillant entre 800 et 1 500 m\u00e8tres.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Le relief particulier du Vercors lui vaut deux surnoms. Celui de \u00ab Forteresse \u00bb t\u00e9moigne de l\u2019acc\u00e8s difficile de la plaine au Vercors : il faut le plus souvent passer par des gorges de falaises calcaires ou des pas accessibles seulement aux randonneurs p\u00e9destres ; celui de \u00ab Dolomites fran\u00e7aises \u00bb renvoie au massif calcaire italien connu pour ses formes de rochers particuli\u00e8res.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because of this particular relief, the centre of the Vercors is divided into several distinct regions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Coulmes, to the north-west, has always been the most densely wooded part of the massif. The forest was exploited in the 19the<\/sup> In this region, the Vercors looks more like a mountain than a series of plateaux. In this region, the Vercors looks more like a mountain than a succession of plateaux, with the folds of Urgonian limestone being more rounded. There are several impressive routes to the Coulmes, in particular the Gorges du Nan and Gorges des \u00c9couges. A road tour will help you discover them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Quatre Montagnes is now the most developed area of the Vercors for tourism, particularly cross-country and downhill skiing. Nevertheless, traditional activities still exist in the Quatre Montagnes, in particular dairy farming and cheese production. The four main villages (Autrans, M\u00e9audre, Lans-en-Vercors and Villard-de-Lans) are spread across two plateaux separated by wooded mountains. These four villages are ski resorts but still have working farms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

En y regardant de plus pr\u00e8s, les contrastes sont importants : de larges vall\u00e9es (val de Lans-en-Vercors, r\u00e9gions d\u2019Autrans, de La Chapelle-en-Vercors, etc.) et plateaux (for\u00eat des Coulmes, for\u00eat de Lente et les immenses Hauts-Plateaux du Vercors) sont s\u00e9par\u00e9s par de profondes gorges (gorges de la Bourne, du Furon, etc.) et par des falaises imposantes pouvant d\u00e9passer 400 m\u00e8tres de hauteur (falaises de Presles, de la combe Laval, du cirque d\u2019Archiane, etc.). Le mont Aiguille est isol\u00e9 du reste du massif par une \u00e9rosion qui l\u2019a entaill\u00e9 sur tous ses flancs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Du fait de ce relief, plusieurs parties du Vercors sont particuli\u00e8rement isol\u00e9es du reste du massif. Gresse-en-Vercors ne communique pas avec l\u2019int\u00e9rieur du massif : il faut parcourir une centaine de kilom\u00e8tres pour rejoindre le sud du Vercors en passant par le col de Rousset et environ soixante-dix aussi pour atteindre le nord du Vercors en passant par Saint-Nizier-du-Moucherotte.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Vercors in the Dr\u00f4me region is made up of smaller, but more numerous plateaux. Some of these plateaux are spectacular (Ambel, Font d'Urle), offering fine views from one to the other or to the surrounding plains. To the north of the Vercors in the Dr\u00f4me region are several gorges crossed by impressive roads cut right into the cliffs. The grassy plateaux of the Dr\u00f4me Vercors are used as mountain pastures in summer. The transhumance is the occasion for a festival in Die.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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pas de l'Echelette <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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puy de la Gag\u00e8re and the cliffs of the cirque de Quint<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Mich\u00e8le Sassoulas<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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The Vercors horse<\/h2>\n\n\n
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Photo taken on the Gag\u00e8res plateau (R.Paraz)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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On the plateau des Gag\u00e8res<\/strong>When it's foggy and only the beacons for snow clearance are visible, the atmosphere is special. Or when the frost stretches its thin horizontal blades across the plants and pylons, when the wind sweeps across the lapiaz and meadows, when the storm howls ... a la Porte d'Urle<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The plateau is superb in spring, when the vegetation between the fluted lapiaz slabs, rock barriers and scialets is decked out in narcissi and orchids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is the pastureland of the Vercors horse<\/strong>which returns from the Crau plain to take up its summer pastures in the Vercors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This horse is also called Barraquand, after the first breeder, Jules Barraquand, a farmer from Ambel who bought the Font d'Urle lawns in 1919 for his sheep and around a hundred of his horses. The great transhumance then took place between the Mas de Beauchamp in the Crau and the southern Vercors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Vercors horse almost disappeared after the war in the 1950s. It owes its survival to passionate breeders and the support of the Vercors Park. Recently, Michel Chapoutier tested the use of animal traction to work his famous vines at Tain-l'Hermitage: perhaps the Vercors horse will become part of the Rh\u00f4ne winegrowing landscape too!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a small, hardy and hardy horse, energetic and supple, with a bay coat, expressive eyes and a black and fawn mane. It can be found, almost freely, from Serre Montu\u00e9 to Puy de la Gag\u00e8re.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Or flush with the cliffs of the Cirque de Quint... In July 1994, a very violent storm sent the horses into a panic and they plunged into the abyss. 47 horses perished and it was difficult to recover their carcasses from the scree and slopes below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mich\u00e8le Sassoulas (cc 1430)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

 The Vercors Highlands<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Unique in its size at 17,000 hectares, the Hauts-Plateaux Reserve covers 10% of the Vercors Regional Nature Park. It is currently the largest terrestrial reserve in mainland France.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, with its alternating mountain pastures and forests, the Reserve boasts the largest forest of hooked pine in the limestone Alps, and a rich flora of some 738 species. Animal life is discreet but abundant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On peut observer la plupart des esp\u00e8ces montagnardes : marmotte, t\u00e9tras-lyre, aigle royal, chamois\u2026 ainsi que des esp\u00e8ces plus rares comme le lagop\u00e8de alpin, le li\u00e8vre variable, le loup, la chouette chev\u00eachette ou la chouette de Tengmalm. Certaines esp\u00e8ces comme le bouquetin des Alpes, le vautour fauve, le gypa\u00e8te barbu ou la marmotte ont fait l\u2019objet de r\u00e9introductions au cours des derni\u00e8res ann\u00e9es.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Les botanistes ou amoureux des fleurs d\u00e9couvriront une flore tr\u00e8s riche, o\u00f9 le blanc arrive en t\u00eate devant le rouge\/rose avec plusieurs vari\u00e9t\u00e9s d\u2019orchid\u00e9es, gentianes, chardons… Voir aussi le site : http:\/\/www.fleursduvercors.com\/<\/a> <\/em>where you can see this by selecting sorting by colour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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in spring scilla and crocus<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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carnation<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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elder orchis<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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edelweiss<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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dog tooth<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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gentian<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Tours<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The mule tracks<\/a> were drawn up by Alf\u00e9o Lotto (CC No. 5650), Jean-Marie Gilouin (CC No. 5699) and Alain Benoist (CC No. 5663) and the road routes<\/a> by R\u00e9gis Paraz (CC No. 3225).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Le centre de s\u00e9jour est d\u00e9j\u00e0 situ\u00e9 en altitude. N\u00e9anmoins, les circuits routiers ont \u00e9t\u00e9 majoritairement construits pour vous permettre de d\u00e9couvrir les routes d\u2019acc\u00e8s au plateau les plus spectaculaires. Il vous faudra quelquefois commencer par redescendre dans la vall\u00e9e avant de remonter sur le plateau. Il aurait \u00e9t\u00e9 possible de faire quelques cols en aller-retour comme par exemple pour rejoindre le col de Tourniol. Cela aurait \u00e9t\u00e9 vraiment dommage : d\u2019abord pour l\u2019\u00e9thique de la conqu\u00eate d\u2019un col et d\u2019autre part parce que les paysages les plus remarquables se situent sur le versant c\u00f4t\u00e9 vall\u00e9e. Idem pour le col de Romey\u00e8re. Malheureusement pour le col du Rousset, il n\u2019a pas \u00e9t\u00e9 possible de pr\u00e9voir un circuit de longueur raisonnable pour l\u2019escalader par son versant sud et ses magnifiques lacets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the few remaining road circuits on the plateau are relatively steep. In accordance with the adage \"who can do more can do less\" (although the reverse is not true) and in order to allow as many members as possible to enjoy themselves, a certain number of road or mule routes have reasonable mileage or gradients. The \"toughest\" riders are free to make the circuits harder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Download the brochure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Download Mich\u00e8le Sassoulas' walking routes<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Hosting<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Situated on the southern edge of the Vercors massif, on an open, windy plateau, the village of Vassieux-en-Vercors now has a population of 344. Its main sources of income are agriculture and tourism, of which Piroulet is a mainstay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's the Village Vacances le Piroulet<\/a> who is going to welcome us. The word \"Piroulet\" means \"the man who turns the mill\". It is linked to the name of the locality, les Pr\u00e9s du Moulin, and refers to an 18th-century water mill.e<\/sup> dont l\u2019emplacement \u00e9tait situ\u00e9 \u00e0 300 m du village vacances. Le Village Vacances compte 140 lits r\u00e9partis sur 4 \u00e9tages de chambres : 11 au rez-de-jardin, 22 au rez-de-chauss\u00e9e dont deux accessibles aux personnes \u00e0 mobilit\u00e9 r\u00e9duite, 22 en duplex au premier et deuxi\u00e8me \u00e9tages. Le Piroulet dispose de quatre salles de classe et\/ou d\u2019activit\u00e9s, une grande salle d\u2019animation, deux autres salles d\u2019activit\u00e9s, trois salles de restaurant, un salon, un bar, une piscine couverte et chauff\u00e9e.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Note from the Board of Directors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you arrange your accommodation elsewhere than at Le Piroulet holiday village, please let us know that you will be taking part in the holiday, for 3 reasons:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. To be able to correctly size joint events (information sessions, welcome and farewell parties).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. To be able to split up into several groups on the routes to improve safety for everyone.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. To help organisers deal with any unforeseen events.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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    Le Piroulet<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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    Le Piroulet<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Une aire de camping-car se situe \u00e0 environ 300 m du Piroulet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Camping : un camping se situe \u00e0 environ 3 km du Piroulet<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Camping les Pins<\/a>
    Les Granges
    26420 Vassieux-en-Vercors<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    T\u00e9l\u00e9phone : + 33 650 11 98 35
    Adresse mail : lespinsvassieux@gmail.com<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Grand G\u00eete des Loubi\u00e8res<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    A large three-bedroom g\u00eete sleeping between 6 and 12 people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Si certains qui cherchent encore \u00e0 se loger sur Vassieux \u00e0 cette p\u00e9riode veulent se partager le g\u00eete, c’est une solution. Le g\u00eete se situe \u00e0 2 km du village (et du Piroulet) et \u00e0 m\u00eame distance du camping.  Les espaces cuisine\/salon\/terrasse sont \u00e0 partager mais sont spacieux.  Il y a un garage pour ranger les v\u00e9los et un parking pour les voitures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    See the website http:\/\/www.lespinsvassieuxenvercors.fr\/<\/a> and click on Grand G\u00eetes des Loubi\u00e8res in the banner at the top of the page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Other activities or visits<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    necropolis, \"Resistance\" memorial, park, prehistory museum, caves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Mich\u00e8le Sassoulas (CC No. 1430), a local member of the region, has put together a range of walking suggestions for all levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Useful tips<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Prolonger son s\u00e9jour :<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    As stated in the presentation of the region, some parts of the Vercors are isolated from others. It is therefore possible to plan a few extra days to explore other areas that the tour does not explore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Attention ! Si vous prolongez votre s\u00e9jour, la pratique du VTT est limit\u00e9e \u00e0 un seul itin\u00e9raire : la variante de la Grande Travers\u00e9e du Vercors (variante GTV).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Suggestions :<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n