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Run forest run!

Contrary to what the title might suggest, Manuel Rapp is in no hurry at all. Having arrived in Villard-de-Lans in 2014, this forest ranger seems to have put down deep roots in the Vercors. A positive energy emanates from him, as if he had discovered the secret of happiness in the heart of the forests. Are you ready to discover it with us?

Published on 4 June 2024

    The forest gardener

    It’s in the heart of the Vercors, in the shelter of the Scots pines, that Manuel Rapp tells us about his passion for forests. This vocation was born on the paths of his childhood. “I always knew I wanted to be a forester”, he confides. Originally from Alsace, he followed his passion for trees to join the Office National des Forêts in 1996. His career took him through the forests of the Meuse and Vosges, before moving on to the majestic woodlands of the Vercors, where he settled in 2014.

    Our native Alsatian has fallen in love with the typical green of the Vercors. Here, mountain forests cover 66% of our territory, with the presence of four main species: fir, spruce, beech and maple. But what has won its heart is the continuous management without any clear-cutting. Thanks to gentle silviculture, wood is harvested in a garden-like way, avoiding stressing the ecosystem. Trees are harvested irregularly within the same plot, creating a forest facies that most closely resembles a natural forest.

    And that’s not all! This mixed forest is in direct proximity to the Vercors High Plateaux Reserve. The outlying areas of the reserve are rich in biodiversity, home to many species of birds and insects. It’s a feast for the eyes!

    I always knew I wanted to be a forester!

    Did you know? To tell the difference between a spruce and a fir tree, all you have to do is break the needle and if it smells like a clementine, it’s a fir tree.

        A modern-day forester

        When Manuel talks about the Vercors forest, his eyes light up, and he shares with us his desire to discover a preserved natural ecosystem where biodiversity rhymes with harmony. In the vast expanses of the Villard-de-Lans municipal forest, Manuel and his sidekick look after almost 2,000 hectares. Their day-to-day job? Preserving this natural heritage, coordinating forestry and recreational activities, and raising public awareness of the fragile balance of nature.

        Today, ancestral forestry activities coexist with more recreational activities. You can explore the Malaterre hut, the Château Julien lookout or the Bellier fir tree on foot or by bike.

        Interaction between foresters and visitors crosses and overlaps, enabling them to pass on their passion for the forest.

        Manuel Rapp embodies this new generation of woodland wardens, where tradition meets innovation. In addition to his work, Manuel dreams of a future in which the forest becomes a resilient ecosystem in the face of climate change. “Change is palpable. Our forests need to adapt”, he stresses. With reforestation projects and sylvotherapy initiatives, he sees trees as guardians of a vital balance.

        Our mission is a constant dialogue between the forest and local people and visitors.

          The forestry school

          Here in Villard-de-Lans, you’re not playing truant, you’re learning forestry. Welcome to Marteloscope! A fun place to learn about forest management, accompanied by our favourite forest ranger and an interactive tablet. It guides visitors through an immersive experience where every tree counts.

          To find out more