📍 France

ROYANS-VERCORS: ALPINE VILLAGES AND DRAMATIC GORGE BALCONIES

Stone villages clinging to cliffs, dizzying gorges, flowering meadows carpeting high pastures, endless panoramas from the ridges. Vercors, natural fortress.

≈ 15
Days
156
Km
15
Stops
📖 9 min read 🔄 Last updated: 2026-01-17

Tour Royans-Vercors between gorges and plateaus. Discover Saint-Antoine-l'Abbaye and its monastic heritage, cross Pont-en-Royans suspended above the river, then explore Vercors' vast spaces between meadows and cliffs.

Your day-by-day itinerary

1
Day

Saint Antoine L Abbaye

monastery heritage limestone valley

Saint Antoine L Abbaye - Photo 1Saint Antoine L Abbaye - Photo 2Saint Antoine L Abbaye - Photo 3Saint Antoine L Abbaye - Photo 4Saint Antoine L Abbaye - Photo 5Saint Antoine L Abbaye - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 1
🔍

Discover

1
Gothic abbey (14th century) dominating the town; sculpted facade and adjoining cloister.
2
Cobbled streets with half-timbered houses, small squares and remnants of ramparts.
3
Viewpoints over the Isère plain and the edge of the Vercors.
🎯

Activities

→
Heritage loop within the walls (2–3 km) between abbey, collegiate church and ramparts.
→
Hillside path for landscape reading towards the western Vercors.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 14 km
Travel time: 20min
2
Day

Saint Marcellin

medieval town river crossroads

Saint Marcellin - Photo 1Saint Marcellin - Photo 2Saint Marcellin - Photo 3Saint Marcellin - Photo 4Saint Marcellin - Photo 5Saint Marcellin - Photo 6Saint Marcellin - Photo 7
7 photos
Day 2
🔍

Discover

1
Medieval layout around the church; narrow streets, arcades and remains of ramparts.
2
Banks of the Isère and confluence of the Bourne, tree-lined walks.
🎯

Activities

→
Route of the historic gates and suburbs (≈2 km, flat).
→
Riverside walk for views over the Royans hillsides.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 12 km
Travel time: 18min
3
Day

La Sone

village stone architectural gem

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9 photos
Day 3
🔍

Discover

1
Village on the banks of the Isère; church and former boatmen's town.
2
Quays and views of mills and riverside gardens.
🎯

Activities

→
Loop of quays and nearby hamlets (2–3 km).
→
Path to riverside viewpoints for reading the river.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 6 km
Travel time: 10min
4
Day

Saint Nazaire En Royans

river village limestone cliffs

Saint Nazaire En Royans - Photo 1Saint Nazaire En Royans - Photo 2Saint Nazaire En Royans - Photo 3Saint Nazaire En Royans - Photo 4Saint Nazaire En Royans - Photo 5
5 photos
Day 4
🔍

Discover

1
Town squeezed between Bourne and Isère; sloping alleys and water viewpoints.
2
Structures on the Bourne and panorama over the Vercors foothills.
🎯

Activities

→
Riverside route and footbridges (2 km, flat).
→
Short climb to a high point over the Royans.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 9 km
Travel time: 15min
5
Day

Pont En Royans

cave village underground mysteries

Pont En Royans - Photo 1Pont En Royans - Photo 2Pont En Royans - Photo 3Pont En Royans - Photo 4Pont En Royans - Photo 5Pont En Royans - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 5
🔍

Discover

1
Houses suspended above the Bourne; bridge and castle remains.
2
Medieval heart sloping down to the quays, colorful facades.
3
Entrance to the Bourne gorges, limestone cliffs.
🎯

Activities

→
Belvederes–quays–footbridges loop (3 km).
→
Exploration trail at the foot of the cliffs (round trip, secured).
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 5 km
Travel time: 10min
6
Day

Choranche

plateau village mountain silence

Choranche - Photo 1Choranche - Photo 2Choranche - Photo 3Choranche - Photo 4Choranche - Photo 5
5 photos
Day 6
🔍

Discover

1
Hamlet at the foot of the Presles cliffs; springs and Bourne waterfall.
2
Natural belvederes over limestone cirques and striated walls.
🎯

Activities

→
Balcony trail overlooking the valley (3–5 km, marked aerial passages).
→
Karst landscape interpretation trail.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 7 km
Travel time: 12min
7
Day

Rencurel

plateau town mountain sanctuary

Rencurel - Photo 1Rencurel - Photo 2Rencurel - Photo 3Rencurel - Photo 4Rencurel - Photo 5Rencurel - Photo 6Rencurel - Photo 7Rencurel - Photo 8Rencurel - Photo 9
9 photos
Day 7
🔍

Discover

1
Valley village at the mouth of the Bourne gorges; scattered settlement and meadows.
2
Chapel and hamlets with views over the wooded ridges.
🎯

Activities

→
Hamlets and clearings loop (4–6 km, low elevation gain).
→
Round trip to a belvedere over the gorge.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 18 km
Travel time: 25min
8
Day

Villard De Lans

alpine village vercors embrace

Villard De Lans - Photo 1Villard De Lans - Photo 2Villard De Lans - Photo 3Villard De Lans - Photo 4
4 photos
Day 8
🔍

Discover

1
Mountain village heart; squares, galleries and high rooftops.
2
Views of the plateau and cliffs of Grande Moucherolle.
🎯

Activities

→
Urban loop and balcony path (3–4 km).
→
Walk along the edge toward alpine meadows.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 9 km
Travel time: 15min
9
Day

Meaudre

mountain resort meadow serenity

Meaudre - Photo 1Meaudre - Photo 2Meaudre - Photo 3Meaudre - Photo 4Meaudre - Photo 5Meaudre - Photo 6Meaudre - Photo 7Meaudre - Photo 8Meaudre - Photo 9Meaudre - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 9
🔍

Discover

1
Valley village of Autrans-Méaudre; aligned chalets and grassy squares.
2
Church, gallery farms and scattered hamlets.
🎯

Activities

→
Gentle valley bottom loop (5–7 km, flat).
→
Short climb along the edge for panorama over the combes.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 4 km
Travel time: 8min
10
Day

Autrans

plateau village forest canopy

Autrans - Photo 1Autrans - Photo 2Autrans - Photo 3Autrans - Photo 4Autrans - Photo 5
5 photos
Day 10
🔍

Discover

1
Mountain town; houses grouped around the church and market.
2
Plateau meadows and forests; trail and path starting points.
🎯

Activities

→
Easy forest loop to the clearings (4–6 km).
→
Heritage trail of the center and old farms.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 12 km
Travel time: 18min
11
Day

Lans En Vercors

mountain memorial historic site

Lans En Vercors - Photo 1Lans En Vercors - Photo 2Lans En Vercors - Photo 3Lans En Vercors - Photo 4Lans En Vercors - Photo 5Lans En Vercors - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 11
🔍

Discover

1
Gateway village to the plateau; shopping streets and mountain architecture.
2
Panoramas of the eastern ridges and valleys.
🎯

Activities

→
Balcony path above the town (3–4 km).
→
Walk to a viewpoint over the Grenoble cluse.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 33 km
Travel time: 45min
12
Day

Vassieux En Vercors

village stone mountain chapel

Vassieux En Vercors - Photo 1Vassieux En Vercors - Photo 2Vassieux En Vercors - Photo 3Vassieux En Vercors - Photo 4Vassieux En Vercors - Photo 5Vassieux En Vercors - Photo 6Vassieux En Vercors - Photo 7
7 photos
Day 12
🔍

Discover

1
High plateau village; scattered settlements and vast alpine grasslands.
2
Viewpoints of the southern ridges of Vercors.
🎯

Activities

→
Plateau loop on white trails (6–8 km, very gentle slope).
→
Landscape reading of combes and karst at the edge.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 12 km
Travel time: 20min
13
Day

La Chapelle En Vercors

alpine village vercors heart

La Chapelle En Vercors - Photo 1La Chapelle En Vercors - Photo 2La Chapelle En Vercors - Photo 3La Chapelle En Vercors - Photo 4La Chapelle En Vercors - Photo 5La Chapelle En Vercors - Photo 6La Chapelle En Vercors - Photo 7
7 photos
Day 13
🔍

Discover

1
Central town of the Drôme Vercors; village square and radiating streets.
2
Meadows and wooded foothills surrounding the basin.
🎯

Activities

→
Village–meadows–edge circuit (4–5 km).
→
Climb to a high point for views over the basin.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 6 km
Travel time: 12min
14
Day

Saint Martin En Vercors

plateau village mountain views

Saint Martin En Vercors - Photo 1Saint Martin En Vercors - Photo 2Saint Martin En Vercors - Photo 3Saint Martin En Vercors - Photo 4Saint Martin En Vercors - Photo 5Saint Martin En Vercors - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 14
🔍

Discover

1
Valley village nestled at the foot of the ridges; church and adjacent hamlets.
2
Meadows and streams at the bottom of the valley, views of the cliffs.
🎯

Activities

→
Hamlets and stream banks loop (3–4 km).
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 9 km
Travel time: 15min
15
Day

Correncon En Vercors

plateau village mountain views

Correncon En Vercors - Photo 1Correncon En Vercors - Photo 2Correncon En Vercors - Photo 3Correncon En Vercors - Photo 4Correncon En Vercors - Photo 5Correncon En Vercors - Photo 6Correncon En Vercors - Photo 7Correncon En Vercors - Photo 8Correncon En Vercors - Photo 9
9 photos
Day 15
🔍

Discover

1
Alpine village south of the plateau; chalets, small squares and stone walls.
2
Clearings and trail starts toward the high valleys.
🎯

Activities

→
Panoramic loop at the edge of the Hauts-Plateaux (6–8 km).
→
Heritage trail in the village: roofs with stone slabs and wooden shingles.

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🛡️ Travel advice - France

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❓ Frequently asked questions

What weather should you expect?

Spring (April-June): Perfect weather, blooming countryside, ideal for all regions, moderate crowds, excellent value, romantic atmosphere.

Summer (July-August): Warmest weather, peak tourist season, highest prices, crowded attractions, perfect for Mediterranean coast, festival season.

Fall (September-October): Harvest season, comfortable temperatures, fewer crowds, wine regions spectacular, excellent photography, good value.

Winter (November-March): Christmas markets, ski season Alps, fewer crowds, lowest prices, cozy indoor attractions, cultural experiences.

How many days should I plan?

We believe you will enjoy this itinerary best by dedicating between 12 and 18 days. The next step will allow you to adjust the duration of your stay.

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