Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The Villard-de-Lans Heritage House is a local museum located in the old town hall of the village, built in 1888. This building served as a town hall for almost a century before being transformed into a museum space in 1989, thanks to the initiative of Jacques Lamoure, a citizen passionate about local history. The museum presents permanent collections on the daily life, trades and traditions of the Vercors plateau between the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as well as temporary exhibitions related to regional history.

The museum houses a remarkable collection of 133 oxen yokes, some of which are on display, as well as artisanal and agricultural tools, fossils, models and historical documents. Temporary exhibitions cover a variety of topics, such as climateism, the 1968 Olympic Games, the forest and the Second World War. The building, located in Place de la Libération, was renovated, including that of its belfry in 2017.

The ground floor hosts temporary exhibitions, while the upper floors are dedicated to the history of the Four Mountains, winter sports and peasant life. The museum also offers guided tours for different audiences, although its accessibility remains limited for people with reduced mobility. Managed by the local tourism office, it plays a key role in promoting the cultural and historical heritage of Vercors.

The museum is closely linked to the history of Villard-de-Lans, notably through events such as the creation of the Sanatorium in 1922 or the participation of the region in the 1968 Olympic Games. It also highlights local figures, such as the 19th century botanist Abbé Ravaud, or notable episodes, such as the destruction of the village of Valchevrière during the Second World War.

The Heritage House is part of a wider heritage network, including sites such as Villard de Lans Castle, a former Polish high school during the war, or the statues of bears scattered in the village. Its educational and tourist role makes it an essential place to discover the cultural and historical identity of the Vercors massif.

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