Something for all the family

Why Choose Velo Vercors for your family holiday?

We are based in the charming town of St.Jean-en-Royans in the Vercors National Park, Auvergne Rhone-Alps - a short stroll from cafes, restaurants and shops. All our routes leave directly from our door, on a network of relatively flat, secondary roads and quiet main roads passing by walnut groves, orchards, sunflower fields and a matrix of rushing rivers fed by the surrounding mountains with the stunning views of the Vercors limestone cliffs as the backdrop. Routes are generally loops ranging from 20 km upwards through the rural countryside to visit the local towns of Pont-en-Royans renowned for its houses built precariously into the steep cliffs overlooking the Bourne river or St.Nazaire-en-Royans with its architectural aqueduct high above the Isere river. En route, there are opportunities for wild swimming, picnics, a boat trip, a visit to a water museum and an tour around an interactive garden. If that's not enough, canyoning, canoeing, paragliding, via ferrata and zip wiring are other local activities within the region. And when you've had your days adventure, Velo Vercors will be a welcome place to return for a dip in the plunge pool or to chill with a glass of the local 'Clairette de Die' before strolling into town to enjoy the local food and wine of the region at one of the local bistros.

Summer 2023 family package (based on a family of 4)

Self-catering gite, bike hire (hybrids), a *home cooked evening meal with wine and aperitif 1550 euro

*using local, seasonal vegetables, meat and fish.

We cater for vegans and coeliacs.

Forests, prairies and jaw dropping cliff top roads.

As well as the relatively flat routes from our base, our location at the foothills of the Vercors gives you the opportunity to easily access the three major climbs leading up to the Vercors plateau at 1200m where you will enter a different world of forests, prairies and jaw dropping cliff top roads. The cycle up any of the gorges will be an adventure in itself and possibly your first time, as a family to experience a long, alpine climb of between 10-12 km. The climbs may be long and challenging, but they are not steep with an average gradient of 5-7%. However, be prepared and take lots of water and energy bars as the cafes and restaurants are mainly situated in the towns on the plateau so you will have all the work to do before getting to them. The stunning views and changing landscapes should be enough to keep you going and whichever route you decide to take to the plateau will be a unique cycling experience you will recall, as a family, for many years to come.

Alternatively, you may decide to take the hard work out of it and drive up to the plateau to experience the many marked out forest trails and walking routes to see the unique fauna and flora of the Vercors. You may even come across the wonderful array of wildlife living on the gorges and plateaus including stags, deer, chamois (small wild goats who cling to the mountainside) and peregrine falcons. Wolves were re-introduced into the high Vercors a few years back but you are very unlikely to come across them.

The plateau is dotted with pretty hamlets and villages giving you the opportunity to stop for a well earned lunch or drinks. Just make sure you arrive between 12-1.30 as they have a limited serving time!

Other things to do off bike

There are lots of things to see and explore in the region which will be of interest to all the family. In an exceptional setting at the foot of the high Presles cliffs, the Grottes de Choranche owe their reputation to their renowned, extremely beautiful “soda straws”, like crystal straws made from limestone, caused by a rare phenomenon. Scientific research has now unveiled their history. The hour-long guided tour will also show you the olm, an early form of amphibian from the age of the dinosaurs, and also a fairyland of underground lakes and a magical son et lumière show.

If you are interested in the history of the French Resistance during WWII there is a memorial and museum at Vassieux-en-Vercors in rememberance of those who lost their lives.

If you don't fancy the 57km round trip bike ride, its worth a drive to St.Antoine de l'Abbaye to journey back in time to the Middle Ages. Marvel at the beautiful roofs, half timbered buildings as you stroll along the charming winding streets to the XI abbey in one of France's 'Beaux Villages'. Lunch at one of the cafes or restaurants before popping into one of the artisan pottery, leather and jewellery shops.

Le Jardin de Petrifiantes is a beautiful garden created around waterfalls on the banks of the river Isere. Interactive and artistic drawing on nature it is a wonderful, peaceful place to spend some time. Pick up the Bateau Roue at St.Nazaire-en-royans and take a trip down the Isere on a old 'steamer' style boat to be dropped off outside the garden where you can have a drink or lunch at the outside cafe under the shade of trees.