A very short walk, but the ruins of Valchevrière are the remains of one of the key sites of the Resistance in Vercors.
This hamlet served as a camp for the Resistance fighters and was burned to the ground on 23 July 1944 by the Nazis. Only the chapel was spared.
Allow 1 to 1½ hours for the visit to the hamlet.
Country:
France
District:
Villard-de-Lans (38250) 
Parking: there are a few parking spaces at the Grande Croix and the memorial
(S/E) From the Grande Croix (panoramic view of the Bourne Gorges and Valchevrière), take the wide path and immediately turn onto the small path that descends to the right.
(1) At the end of the path, you will reach the ruins of Valchevrière.
(2) To return, take the wide path uphill at the western exit of the village. At the fork, turn left to return to the starting point (S/E).
- The Way of the Cross with its 12 stations along the Villard-de-Lans road at the starting point, with the Great Cross representing the 12th station.
- The heritage centre in Villard-de-Lans.
- A few kilometres away in Vassieux, the Resistance Museum and Memorial.
Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of your route : Nov 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No
Hike starting from the Bois Barbu Nordic area to extend the walk.
Emotion and silence once at the ruined site.
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Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of your route : Aug 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No
Valchevrière is a place that is both beautiful and moving. This abandoned hamlet, nestled in the middle of the forest, bears witness to a painful past: it was completely destroyed by the German army in July 1944. Today, only a few ruins remain, but the atmosphere is very powerful. It is a true place of remembrance, paying tribute to the Vercors resistance fighters.
Accessible via a beautiful walk, it is well worth a visit, both for the beauty of the site and its historical significance. Silence, contemplation and respect are required. Not to be missed if you are in the area.
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Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of your route : Aug 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes
Historically interesting. Very accessible to everyone. The return journey involves a gentle climb.
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Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of your route : Aug 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No
a short, easy walk in such a bucolic setting that it is difficult to imagine the tragedy that took place here
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Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of your route : Jul 28, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No
a very accessible walk steeped in historical memory.
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Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of your route : Aug 23, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes
We travelled to Valchevrière from Bois Barbu so that the hike would be around ten kilometres long.
The route is particularly worthwhile for the emotion felt when visiting the ruins of the hamlet.
It is wonderful that this place of remembrance is maintained and preserved.
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Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of your route : Jul 24, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes
Hello,
A short, peaceful walk, but with a few pages of history that really tug at the heartstrings: commemorative plaques and the remains of the village ensure that we never forget.
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Overall rating : 4.7 / 5
Date of your route : Jul 09, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No
Beautiful view at the start, the village and the information boards are interesting.
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Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of your route : Jun 29, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes
More than the hike itself, it is the historical aspect that is important, and the site provides a good understanding of this part of the dramatic history of the Vercors maquis
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Overall rating : 4.3 / 5
Date of your route : Apr 22, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Completed with a 10-year-old child in 40 minutes.
A pleasant walk through the woods, crossing a stream before arriving at the ruins of the hamlet.
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Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of your route : Aug 13, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
A major effort to preserve the site and a dynamic approach to communicating its history
This truly poignant site offers a beautiful walk steeped in history.
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Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of your route : Aug 07, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
A place steeped in history.
Village destroyed during the Second World War, intact chapel also worth seeing.
Fairly easy to access.
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Overall rating : 4.7 / 5
Date of your route : Jun 29, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
A must-do and highly recommended, as this route gives you food for thought about a period that is not so long ago.
The descent through the woods is magnificent.
The ruins are very well explained by signs on posts.
The site is well maintained
R. Massa
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