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Chemins de la Liberté – The Path to Freedom: Vassieux
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Description
On this walk you will discover the village of Vassieux, which paid a heavy price during the Vercors fighting. You can then climb higher along the path that once linked the village to Resistance camp No. 6 during World War II. This route, which is quite difficult, goes up through the box trees to the Memorial to the Resistance in the Vercors. It’s an effort that is rewarded with breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks.
Starting from Vassieux-en-Vercors, head towards the Departmental Museum of the Resistance behind the church in the direction of Les Cheneaux. The bell tower is all that remains of the old building following the bombing raids of 1944.
Take the signposted route (GR 95), walk behind Le Piroulet holiday village, then follow the road that crosses the entrance to the hamlet of Moulin Allard on the left.
Now walk along the signposted path that climbs up on the left, indicated by an information panel, in the direction of Col de la Chau. The path rises after the old quarry along a steep slope to the Memorial of Resistance in the Vercors. From here you can take the steps that go to Col de la Chau to follow the architecture trail, an outdoor exhibition about the Memorial’s contemporary architecture. You can get even more out of the walk with a visit to the Memorial (put aside two or so hours).
The return journey follows the same route towards Vassieux-en-Vercors.
Technical Information
Altimetric profile
Starting point
Additional information
Public transport
By train :Grenoble, Valence or Die train stationsOùRA multimodal route planner : www.oura.com/by bus :From Valence : From train and bus stations : Line D05 to Vassieux-en-VercorsFrom Grenoble : With regional coaches, line T64 by Engins or T65 by Saint-Nizier-du-Moucherotte and go to Villard)- Then take the "on demand coaches" (except sunday and public holidays)Booking mandatory, call to +334 8000 7000, at least 24h before you come.By hitch hiking : You can get there / get back by hitching a lift with the Rezo Pouce network from Autrans-Méaudre, Lans-en-Vercors, Grenoble and Royans-Vercors (you can find all the stops in the Vercors on www.rezopouce.fr).carpooling :Offer your services or book your carpooling on the regional Mov'Ici platform.
Advice
Use the purpose-built throughways to cross fences; shut gates and barriers behind you.Keeping to the signposted paths means you'll respect private property.Be careful: the steep path that goes up to the Resistance Memorial can be tricky in rainy weather and in late winter.
Advised parking
Car park in the village centre of Vassieux
Access
From Villard-de-Lans or Pont-en-Royans, take the direction of La Chapelle-en-Vercors, then follow Vassieux-en-Vercors on the road D178. From Col de Rousset, follow the road D518 then the D76 going to Vassieux-en-Vercors.You will find a car park in the village center.
Arrival
Vassieux-en-Vercors
Ambiance
Explore an iconic site in the history of the Vercors beginning in the village before climbing up high. From up above there are panoramic views of the Vercors mountain range and plain, the scene of violent clashes in 1944.
Departure
Vassieux-en-Vercors
