Lans en Vercors is a cozy mountain town of the department of Isère, Rhône-Alpes region, located in a protected natural area ( Regional park Vercors). Its altitude varies from 1020 m to 1983 m. Lens, Leins, Lans, are variously spelled as established by Cassine maps and Bourdet, was long time the administrative center, located in the hamlet of Peuil, territory named as Quatre Montagnes.
Originally largest village in the valley, Lans is gradually gave the first place to what was a village before: Villard-de-Lans.
This demographic domination original Lans is true in the etymology of the neighboring villages. And Villard-de-Lans literally means "the farm of Lans" and other village Autrans means as "off Lans ", that is to say" beyond the Lans ".
Since May 9, 1947, Lans took its current name Lans-en-Vercors.
Today Lans-en-Vercors is a quiet village but with dynamic hosting; each summer season having sport or cultural events. And in August 2008 was held the fourth European Congress of Speleology, in the largest gathering VERCORS 2008, organized by the French Federation of Speleology and caving Federation of the European Union.
Currently Lans-en-Vercors has population of 2 684 people, to compare with population in Villard de Lans of 4 277 people in 2012.
Lans en Vercors has: two downhill ski areas: Les montagnes de Lans and le Massif de l'Aigle and also two areas of cross-country skiing: Les Alliéres and Le Val-de-Lans.
This year snow came so unexpected, it was about 1 meter deep in Villard de Lans area, after one night of snowfall. Probably it be will melted very soon, but for the moment we enjoyed the sun and snow!
When golden autumn coming to the Vercors, standing on the mountain top, you can see amazing sceneries when all the forest leaves are changed into gold and red colors.
"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower". ~Albert Camus
Villard-de-Lans, in the department of Isère, organizes every year a big party of the air balloons - Festiv'air. This year festival was celebrating its 5th edition on 29 and 30 September 2012.
Many activities for the families were available:
- A collection of more than 20 balloons
- Flight demonstrations of mini balloons
- Shows kites of the world (Indonesia, Japan, Europe)
- Release Brazilian balloons
- A wind garden
- Workshops to build kites
- Introductory workshops about the paragliding
In addition was planned the grand spectacle of balloons, this edition would be the first time of an airship above the village. But, unfortunately, this year, the weather conditions were too bad for this spectacle. So only friday evening, day before festival, was possible to see some of the balloons above the village.
And more photos:
End of the January in Méaudre in the Vercors, took place the national dog-sledding championship. This year 19-20 january, happened 13th championship. For the 13th edition, this unique race in the Vercors invited to enjoy a fabulous 4-legged athletes, such as the Nordic dogs. More than 400 dogs were confronted on the route of 25 to 50 km, depending on the teams. (2 to 12 dogs). This race of sledding dogs is an important event as it takes place of National Championship Middle Distance and Long Distance FFPTC. (French Federation of Pulka and sledding Dogs). 
