{"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

The geography of the Vercors is often summed up by the term \"plateau\". Seen from a distance, it looks simple: the difference in altitude between the massif and the valleys is several hundred metres, reaching the inhabited areas at between 800 and 1,200 metres. The fifty-kilometre-long ridge on the eastern flank has several peaks that exceed 2,000 metres in altitude, while the interior of the massif fluctuates between 800 and 1,500 metres.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The particular relief of the Vercors has earned it two nicknames. The \"Fortress\" nickname reflects the difficulty of accessing the Vercors from the plains: most of the time, you have to pass through gorges formed by limestone cliffs or steps accessible only to hikers. The \"French Dolomites\" nickname refers to the Italian limestone massif known for its distinctive rock shapes.<\/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

On closer inspection, the contrasts are stark: wide valleys (the Lans-en-Vercors valley, the Autrans and La Chapelle-en-Vercors regions, etc.) and plateaux (the Coulmes forest, the Lente forest and the immense Hauts-Plateaux du Vercors) are separated by deep gorges (the Bourne and Furon gorges, etc.).) and plateaux (the Coulmes forest, the Lente forest and the immense Hauts-Plateaux du Vercors) are separated by deep gorges (the Bourne and Furon gorges, etc.) and imposing cliffs that can exceed 400 metres in height (the Presles, Combe Laval and Archiane cirque cliffs, etc.). Mont Aiguille is isolated from the rest of the massif by erosion that has cut into all its flanks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because of this relief, several parts of the Vercors are particularly isolated from the rest of the massif. Gresse-en-Vercors has no connection with the interior of the massif: you have to travel around a hundred kilometres to reach the south of the Vercors via the Col de Rousset and around seventy kilometres to reach the north of the Vercors via 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

Most of the mountain species can be seen here: marmot, black grouse, golden eagle, chamois, etc., as well as rarer species such as the rock ptarmigan, mountain hare, wolf, little owl and Tengmalm's owl. Some species, such as the Alpine ibex, griffon vulture, bearded vulture and marmot, have been reintroduced in recent years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Botanists and flower lovers will discover a very rich flora, where white comes first before red\/pink with several varieties of orchids, gentians, thistles... See also the website : 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

The holiday centre is already located at altitude. Nevertheless, most of the road routes have been designed to allow you to discover the most spectacular access roads to the plateau. Sometimes you will have to start by descending into the valley before climbing back up to the plateau. It would have been possible to make a few passes on the way up and back, for example to the Col de Tourniol. That would have been a real shame, firstly because of the ethics of conquering a pass and secondly because the most remarkable scenery is on the valley side. The same goes for the Col de Romey\u00e8re. Unfortunately for the Col du Rousset, it wasn't possible to plan a route of reasonable length to climb it via its southern slope and its magnificent switchbacks.<\/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> which was located 300 m from the holiday village. The holiday village has 140 beds spread over 4 floors of rooms: 11 on the garden level, 22 on the ground floor, two of which are accessible to people with reduced mobility, and 22 duplexes on the first and second floors. Le Piroulet has four classrooms and\/or activity rooms, a large activity room, two other activity rooms, three restaurant rooms, a lounge, a bar and a heated indoor swimming pool.<\/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

    There is a motorhome park around 300 m from Le Piroulet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Campsite: there is a campsite about 3 km from Le Piroulet<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

    Telephone: + 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

    If anyone still looking for accommodation in Vassieux at this time of year wants to share the g\u00eete, that's one solution. The g\u00eete is 2 km from the village (and the Piroulet) and the same distance from the campsite. The kitchen\/lounge\/terrace areas are shared but are spacious. There is a garage for bicycles and parking for cars.<\/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

    Extending your stay:<\/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

    Please note! If you extend your stay, Mountain biking is restricted to a single route: the Grande Travers\u00e9e du Vercors (GTV) variant.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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