From the outside, it’s a veritable limestone citadel offering panoramas which induce a sense of contemplation. In the interior, pride of place goes to delicate wild orchids (including the precious ophrys of the Drôme) or the haughty posture of a chamois sentinel. Enchanting, winter come summer.

 

The Parc naturel régional du Vercors is a huge natural playground, first designated 45 years ago. It covers 85 communes, 37 of which are in the Drôme (the others are in the Isère). The park is divided into 8 natural areas, which include the Vercors Drômois, the Royans Drôme, the Gervanne and the Diois.  .




 

Rich in fauna and flora. On the high slopes, ibex, marmots and black grouse disport themselves under the watchful eye of  European eagle owls (Grand-Duc) and royal eagles. This is fauna of great diversity: 65 mammal species, 135 species of nesting birds, 17 reptile and amphibian, not forgetting the rich and abundant Vercors flora which includes 85 protected species.Worthy of note: the high plateaux (17 000 hectares) are the largest nature reserve in metropolitan France. An ideal area for both grazing animals and walking


 

As regards sporting opportunities, there are over 3,000 potholing sites (caves, chasms and sinks – ‘scialets’) to indulge cavers. The GTV trails (Grandes Traversées du Vercors) are open all year round on foot, horseback.




Suggested itineraries: n° 10, 11, 12 to be discovered in our brochure: 12 interactive itineraries .