Les Vouillants, the tramway and the Tour sans Venin

Access: By car, drive up from Seyssinet on the road leading to Saint-Nizier-du-Moucherotte (D106b).
Do not take the gravel road outside the first hairpin bend (too common access from Les Vouillants).
Further up, at the second hairpin bend, do not use the unmarked car park at the Désert de l'Écureuil (Resistance memorial). Even further up, at an altitude of 454 metres, on the right, there is a large free car park with picnic areas. Park here.

(S/E) Head north towards the undergrowth 30 m away to reach the entrance to Parc Jean-Jacques Rousseau, protected by a surrounding wall (access via a large wooden gate; signpost "Désert Jean Jacques Rousseau"). Follow one of the three well-maintained paths that converge further on.
Pass through the surrounding wall via a second wooden gate. About 250 m after this surrounding wall, you will reach the Carrefour de l'Orée du Bois.

(1) Turn left and descend a few metres towards Saint-Nizier-du-Moucherotte. At the lowest point, stay on the widest path, which climbs up opposite, leaving the paths on the right and left. A few yellow arrow signposts and trail markers line this uphill path, which heads northwest and then north. When you reach the ruins of Ferme Froussard, visit the site and then continue up the path for another 50 metres to the next crossroads at an altitude of 485 metres.

(2) Turn left (south-west) towards Saint-Nizier-du-Moucherotte and climb up a forest path.
Ignore a path on the left (shortcut) and follow a few hairpin bends. At the next intersection, take the shortcut on the right. Return to the forest path and follow it to the old Ferme des Visons farm, developed by the town of Seyssinet-Pariset.

(3) Leave the wide path on the right and walk past the ruins towards the west. Follow a discreet uphill path, not shown on the IGN map (the path shown on the map has disappeared under the vegetation). The path leads to the tarmac road called Chemin des Bergers in Pariset. Walk up the road and join the D106. Cross it carefully by turning right/left to take Rue du Grand Pariset, which is almost opposite.

(4) At the end of the paved section, turn left onto a wide forest path, which is actually the platform of the old tram line. Head downhill to the south-east. Further on, you will come to a fork in two paved roads. Take the right-hand road (not shown on the IGN map). Pass in front of the old tram station, which has been converted into a private house (stone walls and slate roof). Continue south-east for about 50 metres.

(5) Turn left onto the path leading down towards the Tour sans Venin. The path is called Rue de l'École, but its condition and excessive slope make it more like a trail for the first few metres. This will take you to the D106.

(6) Cross the departmental road and climb up to the chapel, the partially demolished tower and the radio relay station to admire the various viewpoints. Retrace your steps.

(6) Follow the D106 to the left (south) and descend for about 400 metres.

(7) On the left-hand side of the road, take the path down towards Les Vouillants in the direction of Grenoble railway station. Please note that the path is quite steep. Although the downhill route is well marked, it actually deviates slightly from the IGN map, so bear this in mind.

(8) At the intersection, turn left towards Les Arcelles. Descend north-northeast towards Désert J.J. Rousseau. This will take you back to the starting point (S/E).

The farms are in ruins, but many people stop there to relax or learn about history.
There are no shelters on this route.

At La Tour sans Venin, in fine weather, a fountain is accessible via the steps leading to the chapel entrance. It is located between the two benches.

Walking sticks are welcome for both the ascent and descent.

This description follows the forest path from (2) to (3) to avoid fatigue. However, as indicated, you can cut across the path by taking the three bends.
The route follows the paths on the IGN map. The actual terrain is not exactly the same, but the differences are minor, so you will not get lost.

The Vouillants car park is now very large but can sometimes be a little crowded with walkers. It is best to set off before 10 a.m.
The Jean-Jacques Rousseau Park is full of information boards about the fauna, flora and history of this melancholic canyon.
The Froussard farm was destroyed during the Second World War for acts of resistance.

The tram station in Pariset is now a private house, so please do not disturb the owners.

The aim of the tramway line was to reduce the journey time between Grenoble and Vercors from 6 hours (by stagecoach) to 2.5 hours, while making the journey more comfortable.
The tramway from Grenoble to Villard-de-Lans (GVL tramway) operated between 1911 and 1951. It connected the Grenoble valley to the Vercors plateaus. (source: Wikipedia)
Use of the line to Saint Nizier and then Villard de Lans was very limited over time, subject to financial uncertainties and requisitions during the wars. Buses, which were faster, eventually put an end to the line.