Going on vacation in the Vercors and want to discover outdoor activities? Discover the 10 best things to do in Villard-de-Lans!
Villard-de-Lans is not in the Alps, but right in the heart of the Vercors massif. Not far from Lyon and Grenoble, this resort is sure to impress! It offers a wide range of activities to help you discover the region’s many natural wonders.
Whether you’re more the quiet type, or a thrill-seeker, you’re bound to find one (or more) activities to try out in this mountain resort! Children and adults alike will find plenty to keep them busy! It’s also an opportunity to do some original sightseeing in France. So, are you ready for a new adventure? Discover our selection of the 10 must-do things to do in Villard-de-Lans for a weekend or longer stay.
What to do in Villard-de-Lans in winter?
Ski the slopes
- 🗓️ Best period:December to February
- ❄️ Opening dates: December 17 to April 10
- 💙 We love: the trails linking the two villages
The Villard-de-Lans – Corrençon alpine ski resort links the two villages with 125 km of alpine runs. It’s a vast ski area (the biggest in the Vercors!) that offers something for every level of skier, as its 36 runs are divided into green, blue, red and black. There are even dedicated areas for beginners! So there’s no need to stress out – everyone can progress at their own pace!
And if you prefer Nordic skiing to downhill skiing, there’s also a specialized ski area. Its 122 km of trails also allow you to progress at your own pace, and why not try out two types of Nordic skiing: classic and skating. Honestly, it’s a welcome change from downhill skiing in winter! And why not try biathlon?
To make the most of your vacation and this activity while avoiding queues in sports stores, remember to book your ski hire in advance!
Let yourself slide on the toboggan runs
- 🗓️ Best period: December to February
- ⏳ Duration: half a day
- 💙 We love: safety and different levels of slopes!
In winter, one thing’s for sure: young and old alike love the thrill of tobogganing through the snow! And that’s just as well, because Villard-de-Lans has its own luge park! It’s a park entirely dedicated to sliding.
With 6 safe runs for all levels and 3 conveyor belts, you’ll have a great time with a smile on your face! So there’s no need to pull the sled, and no need to run out of breath on the way up the slopes: all you have to do is link up the slides effortlessly. When you get back to your hotel, you’ll be delighted to have had some fresh air and fun!
What to do in Villard-de-Lans in summer?
Mountain kart fun
- 🗓️ Best period:June to September
- ⏳ Duration: 2 hours
- 💙 We like: Discovering the slopes in a whole new way
Looking for a way to hit the slopes other than on skis or toboggans? Well, we’ve got the perfect activity for your stay in Villard-de-Lans: the Mountain Kart. Quite simply, it’s a motorless go-kart with large rubber wheels that lets you discover the mountains in a whole new way, whether in summer or winter!
The Villard-de-Lans resort is home to a 4 km run with a 500 m vertical drop. It’s the perfect activity for everyone, because whether you’re alone or accompanied, you’ll have a great time!
Try your hand at canyoning
- 🗓️ Best period: June to August
- ⏳ Duration : half a day
- 💙 We love: the mix of sports for even more sensations!
Calling all nature sport enthusiasts: canyoning
is the activity for you! A mix of hiking, climbing, white-water sports and caving, canyoning is the perfect way to enjoy the thrills of nature!
This summer activity is not only refreshing, it’s downright sensational! To make the most of this invigorating adventure, don’t worry! Our professional guides and instructors will help you improve your technique. With family or friends, why not go for it?
Take advantage of being in the great outdoors to try your hand at accrobranche.
- 🗓️ Best period:June to August
- ⏳ Duration: 45 minutes to 3 hours
- 💙 We like: courses for all levels
In the heart of the Vercors forests, you can try your hand at
! In Villard-de-Lans, you’ll find one of the region’s largest zip-line parks. The principle of accrobranche is simple: among the trees, you complete an acrobatic course supported by large steel cables.
There’s something for every age (or almost every age ), and every level: it’s the ideal activity for a good time with family and friends, including children! A bit of thinking and a bit of sport, but above all a lot of relaxation. Not bad, eh?
Gain height with via cordata and via ferrata
- 🗓️ Best period:June to September
- ⏳ Duration: one day
- 💙 We love: the thrills and sensations of incredible panoramas
Beware: these two must-do activities in Villard-de-Lans are reserved for those who are not afraid of heights! We’re talking, of course, about the via cordata and the via ferrata.
Via ferrata involves climbing cliffs while attached to a lifeline that ensures your safety along the way. And in via cordata, you’ll set off on an adventure using roping techniques specific to climbing. Whichever activity you choose, it’s sure to be a thrill-packed experience, thanks to the landscapes you’ll be able to admire!
Discover caving and become an explorer
- 🗓️ Best period:June to September
- ⏳ Duration: 3 hours
- 💙 We like: benefiting from the knowledge of a specialist
An activity as unusual as it is unmissable in Villard-de-Lans,
won’t leave you indifferent! This activity involves exploring and visiting underground cavities: and frankly, it’s pretty sporty!
Caving gives you the opportunity to discover different underground landscapes, while exploring them in different ways with the help of a guide. From 4-legged walks to rope traverses and ladders, it’s an unforgettable half-day that’s sure to leave its mark on your stay in the Vercors!
Activities to visit the Vercors
Discover routes on the famous GR 91
- 🗓️ Best period:June to September
- 💙 We love: the multitude of possibilities in the heart of the Vercors mountains
Hiking is king in the Vercors! In fact, the département has its own Sentiers de Grande Randonnée (GR) itinerary: the GR 91 takes you over 150 kilometers across the Vercors! It’s the perfect way to visit the Vercors, whether you’re touring or hiking. For lovers of adventure in low temperatures, check out the 5 best snowshoe hikes in the Vercors.
If you do the whole of the GR, you’ll be able to enjoy the views from the long balconies, then reach the high plateaus in a fairly deserted area. Of course, you don’t have to do the whole traverse, but you can discover some of the itineraries that are part of it. It’s more accessible and well worth the detour. For us, it’s clearly one of the must-do activities for a summer vacation in the Vercors!
Stroll around Lac du Pré des Preys and Pont de l’Amour
- 🗓️ Best period:June to September
- ⏳ Duration : half a day
- 💙 We love: getting fresh air while discovering sumptuous landscapes
In the Vercors, as you’ve no doubt noticed with the GR 91, there’s plenty of hiking to choose from! We’re not going to lie, hiking really is themust-do activity in summer: when you’re staying in Villard de Lans, the summer season is ideal for enjoying the fresh air and admiring the magnificent landscapes the region has to offer, while getting in some exercise! To make the most of your visits, we’ve selected two hikes that are suitable for all levels.
The first walk is accessible to all, being only 4 km long. This little loop takes you to the Pont de l’Amour and the Cascade de la Fauge, all along forest paths… As these are well-known places, we recommend you go early in the morning: you’ll enjoy nature even more!
The second hike we’ve selected for you in Villard-de-Lans is more challenging. It covers just over 13 km and almost 1000 m of ascent. You’ll climb up to the Col du Pas de l’Oeille, passing through mountain pastures and forests, as well as the Lac du Pré des Preys (in which you’ll be able to admire some magnificent reflections). The advantage of this walk is that you’ll be able to enjoy magnificent panoramic views of the surrounding Alpine peaks!
Cycling the ViaVercors
- 🗓️ Best period: April to October
- ⏳ Duration: one day
- 💙 We love: seeing the Massif differently
Take advantage of a summer holiday in Villard-de-Lans to discover the ViaVercors, the first soft path in the mountains! You’ll be able to link several villages along its paths, whatever your level. If you’re staying in a hotel or renting, it’s the perfect way to explore the surrounding area! The trails are suitable for everyone, and take you through a variety of landscapes: the total itinerary is 55 km long!
Our favorite section is around 7 km long. It takes you between Villard-de-Lans and Corrençon-en-Vercors, a rather moderate bike ride that takes you from one village to the next, the perfect opportunity to see the Vercors in a different way. If you don’t have your own bike, you can of course rent one: no excuse not to try it out.
You’ve just discovered our selection of the 10 must-do things to do in Villard de Lans. Here are some other ideas for activities you can enjoy in the resort:
- For even more winter fun, try ski touring!
- Discover Villard de Lans in a different way thanks to a
- Put yourself in the shoes of an explorer with an orienteering race.
- Push your limits with trail running
Our tips for a successful stay in Villard-de-Lans
How do I get to Villard de Lans?
🚗 By car: To reach the Villard Corrençon resort by car, there are four main routes you can take: one from the Alps and Grenoble via the D531, one from Lyon via the A48 then the D531, one from Valence and the south via the A7, the A49 then the RD531, and one from Geneva via the A41 followed by the D106.
Make sure you have the right equipment for snow (chains, socks or snow tires), because winter driving in the mountains can be dangerous! Find the best rental offers here.
🚄 By train: The easiest way to reach the resort by train is to arrive at either Grenoble or Valence station, then take a bus or shuttle to Villard de Lans or Corrençon en Vercors. You can also carpool between the station and the resort!
Where to stay?
In Villard de Lans, you can easily stay in one of the resort’s hamlets. You can choose to sleep in the village for easy access to all the facilities, or stay at the foot of the slopes in the hamlets of Les Pouteils. Or in the hamlets of Les Glovettes, for a privileged proximity to the mountains.
When it comes to type of accommodation, you can choose between staying in a hotel or renting: the best way to choose is to think about what suits you best! In our opinion, sports enthusiasts should opt for rental apartments or chalets, so that they can live according to their schedules (and cook their own meals), but those who come with their families to relax will be delighted with hotels!
Our selection of the best accommodations
❄️Les 11 most beautiful chalets for rent in Villard-de-Lans
🏠Thebest Airbnb rentals in Villard-de-Lans
🛎️Les 12 best hotels in Villard-de-Lans