The Vercors through the ages

Men's Shelter

Since prehistoric times, the Vercors has served as a refuge for humankind, with its plateaus and forests. Its mountains witnessed the emergence of the first villages, founded by a Celtic tribe, the Vertacomorians. Over time, monks, nobles, soldiers, farmers, and resistance fighters have each played a role in the rich and diverse history of this region. Today, through its sites and museums, the Vercors showcases a carefully preserved heritage, offering a glimpse into the lives of its inhabitants throughout the ages.

Land of Resistance and Bravery

The Pioneers of Freedom

A true natural fortress, the Vercors has seen decisive pages in the history of France written.

From 1942 onwards, following the occupation by Nazi Germany and the Vichy regime, the Vercors became a strategic location for the French Resistance. Its vast, isolated plateaus served as a refuge and training base for resistance fighters, including those refusing forced labor in Germany (STO), political activists, and individuals fleeing the Gestapo. Vassieux-en-Vercors, notable for its crucial role in the Montagnards Plan, aimed to establish a stronghold of resistance. 

This dark period, marked by heavy sacrifices, remains etched in the memory of the Vercors, symbolizing the struggle for freedom and independence, driven by the ingenuity and bravery of the resistance fighters. 


Memorial sites erected after the war honor these heroes and help perpetuate the memory of this crucial period. Find the Paths of Freedom and retrace the steps of the Vercors resistance fighters.

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To the conquest

From the heritage of the Drôme Vercors