The Ecrins: history, Exploring Park core zone rules A few key figures land and aims the high-altitude Park The core zone is an unspoiled area that is open Created 27 March 1973 to everyone and is governed by a code Core zone 91 800 ha The Park's history goes back a long way. It Situated between Gap, and Briançon, of good practice. emerged briefly as the Bérarde National Park in the Ecrins National Park is bounded by the Optimum partnership perimeter 180 000 ha 1913, but only in 1973 was the Ecrins National watersheds of the to the north, the Number of communes 61, 43 in the Hautes-Alpes, Park officially established in response to pressure Guisane and Durance to the east and south, and and 18 in Isère The Ecrins from mountaineers, nature organisations the to the west. The high mountain area is Altitude range 800 - 4,102 m (Barre des Ecrins) and the French Alpine Club. structured around the chain of major peaks, Paths 700 km of maintained paths, The Park is divided into sectors, each of which is and the complex massif culminates in the Barre 109 footbridges and bridges National Park managed by a team of field workers who are des Ecrins at 4,102 m. More than 150 peaks are Flora 1,800 plant species, including responsible for organising the day-to-day over 3,000 m high, and the valley floors are at 168 plants important in our heritage work within the huge area. around 1,000 m above sea level. The Park's core Fauna 75 mammals, 235 birds, 13 reptiles, 10 amphibians The permanent visitor centres are places zone can only be explored on foot. and 20 fish identified where the public can obtain information and The network of 700 km of paths is maintained meet local stakeholders. Glaciers 11 300 ha regularly to satisfy the demands of professionals The sectors are located within two • No dogs, not even on a lead, so as not to disturb the (Summer) alpine meadows 68 800 ha (shepherds, guides, hut wardens) and the public départements – the Hautes Alpes and Isère wildlife and livestock. Forest 41 422 ha (day trippers, walkers, mountaineers, etc.). – and two regions: Provence-Alpes-Côte • No picking flowers or taking samples: animals, plants, Mountain guides can take you into the world of What is a national park ? d'Azur and Rhône-Alpes. minerals and fossils are all part of the scenery. For more information, please contact: glaciers and high peaks. You can also opt for a The sectoral teams work closely with the • No firearms: all animals in the core zone are protected. Head office of the Ecrins National Park range of guided thematic walks around the Park. management and the head office in Gap • Do not leave litter. Keep the natural world unsoiled. Domaine de Charance - 05000 Gap The schedule of visitor activities and field trips It is usually a large area in which the wealth of (scientific, land management, visitors & • No fires: they can cause forest fires and damage the soil. Tel: +33 (0)4 92 40 20 10 - Fax: +33 (0)4 92 52 38 34 can be obtained from the Park visitor centres, biological resources, the nature of the landscapes, communication, and administration services). • Avoid making too much noise. Let everyone enjoy the Email: [email protected] as can information designed to help all the cultural value and continuation of past The Ecrins National Park is one of nine French zone in peace. Website: www.ecrins-parcnational.fr traditions require protection and management in national parks; the others are La Vanoise, visitors explore the renowned park. • No camping: this preserves the beautiful scenery and order to preserve a unique heritage. Port-Cros, the Pyrenees, the Cevennes, Watching wildlife unobtrusively, looking prevents pollution. around sites and floral trails will be even more Design: Visitor & Communication Service (layout: Anne-Lise Macle); Desktop Publishing: Flashmen; The French law of the 14 April 2006 stipulates Mercantour, Guadeloupe, La Réunion • Wild camping is only permitted between 7 p.m. and 9 Diagrams: Indigène STUDIO; Maps: Jean-François Dutilh and Julien Guilloux for the Ecrins National Park; productive if you come well prepared (pack a Text: Sandrine Balaicourt, Yves Baret, Emmanuelle Brancaz, Claude Dautrey, Gilles Farny, Anne-Lise Macle, that parks are made up of a core and partnership and French Guiana. a.m. and at least one hour's walk from the park limits Pierre Salomez; Illustrations: Greg Poole, Tour de l’ GR 54; Photos courtesy of: Bertrand Bodin, Robert Chevalier, Marc Corail, Claude Dautrey, Stèphane D'houwt, Denis Fiat, François Labande, Marie-Geneviève Nicolas, sketchbook, binoculars, etc.). or nearest road. Daniel Roche, Pascal Saulay, Jean-Philippe Tavaud, Jean-Philippe Telmon, Dominique Vincent. zone. The core zone is a protected and unspoiled Printed by : Louis-Jean / Gap - 2009. area which is subject to special rules, whilst the Every part the natural world is inhabited. • No motorised vehicles: the area can only be Translation : Robyn Hackett explored on foot; cars are only permitted on partnership zone is governed by a charter adopted If you respect the code of good practice, you designated roads. by the relevant communes. will always be welcome in the Ecrins. • No mountain bikes: the area can With the financial participation of : The park's status is reviewed every 15 years, and only be explored on foot, and the each park represents an ecological partnership paths are only designed for use by between the core zone and surrounding areas walkers. whereby the economic value of the natural • Flying at less than 1,000 m resources is promoted in tandem with sustainable above the ground is forbidden. development in the communes. Each national park is managed by a public body affiliated to the Ministry for Ecology and Sustainable Development.

The Lauvitel Nature Reserve Wildlife Flowers and plant life Architectural heritage Different landscapes

The only strict reserve in was created in The wealth of animal life in the Ecrins (over 350 Over 1,800 different plants have been identified The valleys of the Ecrins are remarkable for the Within the Ecrins, humans are increasingly trying 1995 and is managed by the Ecrins National Park. species of vertebrates) is the result of the extremely in the National Park. The diversity is the result of range of natural resources, but the cultural to blend in, leaving the scale and wild nature of All human activities are banned. varied environmental conditions: the the different vegetation levels (800 to 4,102 m). heritage of architecture and farmed landscapes the features and sites untouched. The strict nature reserve is used to study nature in Mediterranean pine vole and ocellated lizard, both Around 400 species have shaped the scenery. are equally diverse. Despite this variety, all The Park is structured around a network of its natural state. The only activities that are species from southern climes, live alongside the Larches have made their mark in the east of the architecture in the region applies the same basic central high peaks which are the foundation of permitted are scientific cataloguing, taking snow vole and ptarmigan, which are survivors park. Above the tree line, Alpine juniper principles: living in the mountains entails building its history and reputation. The large glaciers have measurements, surveys, reports and monitoring. from the last Ice Age. Only a fraction of the dominates the southern slopes, whilst on a slope using materials found nearby. carved deep and distinctive valleys in the huge invertebrate population has been discovered. rhododendrons populate the north-facing The use of local resources makes for originality rocky massif, which in turn provide access to the The aim is to create a reference site for When the Park was created, there were only hillsides. Around 168 plant species are of and strength. The approach supplies added value high peaks. comparison with similar locations where farming, 3,000 chamois in the area. particular value, from protected species (potentilla in the form of the traditional skills and techniques Cols, landscapes and the position of the hillsides forestry and tourist activities are present. There are now nearly 15,000 of the iconic influence the distribution of different species, delphinensis, Alpine sea holly) to species classified required to construct buildings. animals, Reintroduction programmes have wildlife movements, where humans settle and in the French red list of rare and endangered Although the architecture applies the same basic brought the ibex back, and almost 600 species (cotoneaster atlanticus, Briançon apricot). farm, and tourist activities within the mountain principles, the results in each valley are unique animals can now be seen on the rocky Lichens are found everywhere, and are often the community. and individual, being even more strongly mountainsides. Although some species are only last outposts of the plant world, tinting the screes From each point of entry to the Ecrins, visitors influenced by the traditional local culture and the present in summer, others have successfully and giving every site its own personalised colour travel through man-made farmed, forested and particularities of geography and geology. adapted to cope with the harsh winter climate. scheme. The plant life is evolving as the climate grazing land to reach the untamed high In some parts, tuff is used in the design and The marmot settles into a long deep sleep, the changes. We are seeing a dramatic decline in mountains. mountain hare and ptarmigan adopt white species dating back to the Ice Ages construction of windows and quoins; in other Each valley is unique in terms of geography, camouflage, and the black grouse builds protective (downy birch, two-colour sedge) places, blue limestone features mark out the culture and human presence. snow burrows. The animals are sensitive to whilst the aspen, which places where humans dwell in large multipurpose From Vallouise, Embrunais, Champsaur and disturbances, and conservation is largely traditionally grows on the plains, buildings. All of this practical architecture is part Valgaudemar to Valbonnais, the Oisans and the dependant on keeping control of various winter is taking over the heaths and of our history, the legacy of a pastoral way of life Haut-Briançonnais, merely reciting the names sports (skiing, snowshoe walkers, etc.). rocky ground. that has endured to the present day, gives a sense of the varied landscapes and The golden eagle which symbolises the Park has The Ecrins National Park and forms a backdrop as visitors atmospheres that combine to form the imposing been the subject of regular censuses have since therefore needs proactive explore and learn about the Park. Ecrins massif. 1985. Larger birds can also be seen overhead: conservation policies, and relies bearded vultures, griffon vultures and black on flower registers and a map of vultures. The Park's location and the diversity of the natural environments. environments has prompted large predators such as the wolf and lynx have chosen to return of their own accord. Col de la Valette Pic de l’Étendard 3464 m Grande Lance d’Allemont

2842 m Col des PARC NATIONAL Prés-Nouveaux DES ÉCRINS Aiguilles d’Arves Mont Thabor Col Pic du Lac Blanc Pic du Mas de 3510 m de la Col de l’Infernet Vallée Étroite 3327 m 3021 m 3178 m ITALIE Col de la Madeleine Col des 3427 m Aiguille Noire Trente-Combes Aiguille du Goléon Col du Goléon 3867 m Col des La Grande Sure Muandes N 91 2114 m Col des Rochilles Col Luitel Le Grand Galbert L Col de Sarenne A Clavans-le-Haut Pic des Trois Évêchés Col du Grand Col du

2561 m R Cime du Rachas Galibier Galibier Vallon O 2614 m 3116 m Pic de la M Col de Cluy 3228 m Col de la A Signal Ponsonnière Moulinière N 3073 m Col des C de l’Homme Besse 01 H D 9 Thures N 91 E 2176 m Tête de Colombe Col de Marrone La Grave 3023 m Pas de l’Envious Mizoen Villar-d’Arène Col du Bourg-d’Oisans Lautaret Grenoble 1938 m HE N 91 OMANC Col du Chardonnet 8 11 LAC DU A R 4 Prégentil L E. CHANCEL L‘Aiguillette du Lauzet Le Taillefer CHAMBON N 91 2717 m Col de 2857 m Mont-de-lans Roche- Villard-Reymond LAC DE Noire PUY VACHIER L‘ A I G L E 2917 m Pic de Combeynot Col du N 9 Raisin r t 3155 m Tête Noire L ie e 1 E La lac r G ta Brèche du Vallon Villard-Notre-Dame V irose lau Col de É Pied Moutet lacier de la G Le Rateau du de la Route N G Pic de 3809 m 3983 m É Col de Col de D 530 2338 m L‘ALPE DU VILLAR Col de Roche Gauthier Col d’Ornon O l’Alpe Col de Puy Salié la Grave PROMONTOIRE Le Casset Buffère Cristol Le Grand Renaud N 3669 m Col de Col de Jandri la Girose Brèche Le Monêtier- 2750 m 2776 m Le Diable 3288 m du Rateau 3 LA SELLE r e PAVÉ les-Bains Grand Aréa 2867 m Le Jandri e ll La Danchère ci e 2868 m Venosc la S CHATELLERET Col du Clot LE UC La Baisse G la Col d’Arsine PE TAB Chantelouve e des Cavales TIT C Col du Granon 3023 m d U Lavaldens Grand Armet D 530 IABLE La Grande Ruine B Col de l’Ollière LAC DU LE D A E Pic de Le Plaret S T Le Rochail LAUVITEL S Aiguille du 3765 m 2792 m N A. PLANCHARD Neige D S 3564 m Le Tabor I e Col du P Plat de la Selle O t N St-Christophe- Col de la a Cordier A 2390 m A Ç l Glacier L 3597 m Casse-Déserte P 3613 m R E N Blanc Les Agneaux S en-Oisans la G

D 526 S A r de ÉCRINS E T x LA MUZELLE I Glacie au L

P É e 3663 m LE SOREILLER gn

A 9 Col des A S 2698 m L Col de

Col du Graou E Bourcet lanc

Col du L Roche Faurio r B G l’Eychauda Croix de la Cucumelle cie d la Vallon 3730 m la u cie ALPE DU PIN LE VÉNÉON G M r Col de la Cucumelle LA OT Signal on GU OUR Gla Col des Écrins GLACIER BLANC êtier IS N E T de Lauvitel Col de 10 cier de 3478 m LAC DE AN 91 L Bon re Barre Pointe des Arcas E Confolens la Muzelle nepier L‘EYCHAUDA Le Périer 2902 m 3465 m La Bérarde des Écrins Serre Le Coiro 3323 m L 4102 m Pré de Madame Carle Sommet Chevallier A Sommet 2606 m Grande Aiguille Roche de la Muzelle N 94 M Col des de l’Eychauda du Prorel Tête de Lauranoure de la Bérarde 6 A 2483 m

U Avalanches 3419 m D r A LE CARRELET i U 2572 m

Oris-en-Ratier G N o la e TEMPLE ÉCRINS A cier d N D 20 Col de la Pisse 2 M D H o n r Col du Briançon C o E Valsenestre ntagn ie Mont Pelvoux Paillon 3294 m Têtes des Fétoules ac 4 Y Col de la Temple l 3932 m E Plan Collet L‘Arcanier G de G ‘ E Pointe Swan Col lacier L C la 2575 m des M nde LAVEY Ailefroide N Entraigues aria 3459 m L‘Ailefroide A D 5 Aiguille 26 Valbonnais Berches Col Pointe du Vallon 3953 m 7 R des Arias Col du U 3403 m des Étages de la Glacier Noir D Col des Marmes Mariande Pelvoux D 526 12 Col de Côte-Belle du Tête des Lauzières A Col du Vallon 3564 m r PELVOUX RE L NE Col des Aiguilles ie n IÈ 2928 m N 2753 m des Étages ac o N N 85 SA Pic de Valsenestre Aiguille de l‘Olan l rd Pic du Says PILATTE Col d’Ailefroide E LA MAL LAC G ha LA CELS D 117 3371 m C 3421 m SÉLÉ Pic de Montbrison Col du Parquetout DE LA 2825 m 94 La Chapelle- FOND TURBAT Brèche LAVEY Les Rouies Col du Says N Pic des Souffles d’Olan Gla Col du Sélé Tête d’Amont La Mur en-Valjouffrey PIGEONNIER d cier La Blanche Le Colombier 3098 m 3589 m Col de e la 2818 m 1948 m 2207 m Le Désert-en- Col Col de Gioberney Pilatte 2951 m e Turbat Chalance Les Bans 5 Vallouise Mont Gargas LA Valjouffrey L‘Olan 3669 m D 4 Col BONNE 3564 m Col de l’Holme d’Hurtières LES SOUFFLES Gioberney Chauvet Tête du Clotonnet Col du DE Puy-St-Vincent Sellars L‘ON D 94 Pic de Peyre Eyraute 2836 m Col de L Col de Col de CHALANCE A G 4 a 1706 m Col de Chauvet 2403 m la Vaurze OLAN LES BANS YRO Grand Chapelet Combe Colombes ND 2903 m Méanne Pic de Bonvoisin E Les Vigneaux 3480 m Col des Villar-Loubière XAVIER N 85 Vachers Col de D 480 BLANC Pointe de l’Aiglière Menoux CHABOURNEOU Col de la 3308 m Pousterle Château Roche Courbe La Chapelle- 13 Lebrun 2776 m en-Valgaudemar Pointes de Neyzets 2064 m L‘Argentière-la-Bessée 2836 m Grun de St-Maurice Pointe de Verdonne 3247 m Aiguille du Midi Les Aiguilles de Morges D 42 LAC DU ier 3327 m 3 Tête du Puy des Andrieux 2985 m lac E G irac 2527 m SAUTET Aspres-les-Corps S 2653 m S EL S Col de u N I d UR 5 a Vallonpierre FO RA Pic de Pétarel LE Tête de D 98 VE Le Sirac É 2619 m 3440 m la Lauzière S Pic de Parières Col d’Anon A E Col de l’Aup Martin N L T 8 3076 m Tête de Dormillouse 2351m T VALLONPIERRE 5 St-Firmin E

V PRÉ DE LA CHAUMETTE 3084 m

St-Jacques-en-Valgaudemar A

Pic de Pian N Pas de la Cavale L LACS DE E 2826 m Freissinières Grande Tête de l’Obiou D CRUPILLOUSSE R C A AN Pointes des Rougnoux D 3 2790 m C Le Banc du Peyron BL 8 Pic Pierroux Col de C 3179 m SE b A YS 2777 m Font-Froide R IA D Col de B 2377 m Chauffayer E LA Col de L Aiguille de Cédéra Freissinières l’Aup Les Costes Molines- 2883 m Roc des Dormillouse N TE en-Champsaur Vieux Chaillol ISSET Hommes Tête de Champcella RA Champoléon Le Grand Pinier Gaulent D 23 ÉVE 3163 m 16 2775 m GRAND LAC La Motte- A S L Le Cuchon DES ESTARIS 3117 m en-Champsaur 2375 m Col de LE TOUROND 2866m Côte-Longue N 9 D Col de 4 ON Roc d’Alibrandes Petit Pinier Tête de Val Haute O E St-Eusèbe- UR Pic de E TO 2407 m Rochelaire Vautisse Tête de Claudel en-Champsaur Pic Queyrel L 3100 m Charbillac Pic Sud de la Venasque La Pousterle 3156 m N Les Infournas Orcières-Merlette 8 2 Col des 3108 m 2563 m 5 2440 m Col du 2620 m 2402 m 7 Terres Blanches

Viallet D 4 Prapic 15 2897 m Tête de S D 944 Roc Fouran L Réotier Col du Noyer E Blanc 2459m Orcières D St-Bonnet- R Pic Ponson A en-Champsaur C C Limite du cœur du Parc St-Michel-de-Chaillol A LE C 2334 m 14 R Le Garabrut OU Guillestre D Col des Tourettes L Core zone of the Park E E L 2916 m AU St-Julien- Tête de Périmètre optimal d’adhésion du Parc Pont-du-Fossé Clotinaille St-Clément- Bec d’Aigle Coste Folle en-Champsaur Grande Optimum partnership zone Chabottes Autane 2565m sur-Durance 2384 m 2044 m 44 D 9 Petite Le Mourre Froid Réserve naturelle Col de Buissard 2782 m LE R Chétives Autane AB IO Nature reserve D 114 2994 m U St-Léger- 2518 m Col de Rouannette X les-Mélèzes Tête de l’Hivernet Réserve intégrale du Lauvitel Pic de Gleize 17 E Pic du La Coupa 2909m 2824m C Clocher Strict nature reserve 5 NE 2628 m Châteauroux- N 2159 m AN A N 8 U Col de Reyssas 18 R RO Pointe les-Alpes 2526m Ancelle LA de Serre U Col de la Coupa Les Gourniers D Glacier Col de la Gleize Col de Manse Col de la Roche Méane A L Puy Le Piolit Les Parias D 2 Agglomération de Manse 2434 m 2314 m 41 Réallon Col de Trempa-Latz 1636 m Col de Inhabited area L Col de Moissière Chorges E Mont Guillaume RÉ A 2552m N 94 Frontière nationale Domaine 44 L D 9 Col de la Gardette Pic de L Les Croix Chabrières O National border de N Pic St-André 2563 m Charance 2403 m Limite départementale Le Cuchon Embrun 2857 m Local limit 19 Routes 1903 m 1 Road Puy-St-Eusèbe N 94 Puy-Sanières Cours d’eau St-Apollinaire Water course Gap Sentier de grande randonnée GR 54 Pathway D 984 Prunières N 94 Crots Col Path Savines-le-Lac Sommet Puy Maurel Summit 1317 m

5 8 Pic de Refuge N LAC 54 Pic Cervier Pic de Boussolenc Ceuze Mont DE D 9 Morgon SERRE-PONÇON 1244 m Colombis 2327 m 2809 m Parking 2016 m Tête de Mazellière 1733 m Col de Pontis 2451 m 14 Maison du Parc ou Montagne de Col de la centre d’information du Parc St-Maurice Rousse Visitor center / Information center of the Park D 900b 1412 m Le Petit Ferrand Le Pouzenc 2440 m 2898 m L‘Aupillon

L 2917 m A DURANCE

0 10 km Sisteron

11 PARC NATIONAL DES ECRINS 4 Le Lautaret 8 OISANS 11 Musée des minéraux 14 CHAMPSAUR 17 EMBRUNAIS Siège du Parc Centre d’information saisonnier du Parc Maison du Parc et de la faune des Alpes Maison de la vallée et Maison du Parc Maison du Parc Domaine de Charance - 05000 Gap 05220 Le Monêtier les Bains Rue Gambetta - 38520 Bourg d’Oisans et Point d’information du Parc 05260 Pont du Fossé 05380 Châteauroux-les-Alpes Tél : 04 92 40 20 10 Fax : 04 92 52 38 34 Tél : 04 92 24 49 74 Tél : 04 76 80 00 51 Fax : 04 76 11 01 05 38520 Bourg d’Oisans Tél : 04 92 55 95 44 Fax : 04 92 55 98 45 Tél : 04 92 43 23 31 Fax : 04 92 43 09 35 e-mail : [email protected] e-mail : [email protected] Tél : 04 76 80 27 54 Fax : 04 76 80 26 74 e-mail : [email protected] e-mail : [email protected] site internet : www.ecrins-parcnational.fr 5 VALLOUISE Site internet : www.musee-bourgdoisans.com Maison du Parc 9 Office de tourisme Ecrins Haut Vénéon - 15 Office du tourisme d’Orcières Merlette 18 Les Gourniers 2 BRIANÇON 05290 Vallouise Musée Mémoires d’Alpinisme 12 VALBONNAIS et Centre d’information saisonnier du Parc Centre d’information saisonnier du Parc Maison du Parc Tél : 04 92 25 58 08 Fax : 04 92 23 58 05 et Centre d’information saisonnier du Parc Maison du Parc Prapic 05160 Réallon Place Médecin Général Blanchard e-mail : [email protected] 38520 Saint-Christophe en Oisans 38740 Entraigues Tél : 04 92 55 89 89 Tél : 04 92 44 30 36 05100 Briançon Tél : 04 76 80 50 01 Tél : 04 76 30 20 61 Fax : 04 76 30 25 32 Tél : 04 92 21 42 15 Fax : 04 92 20 18 34 6 Pré de Madame Carle Site internet : www.berarde.com e-mail : [email protected] 16 Maison du Berger 19 Tour Brune e-mail : [email protected] Centre d’information saisonnier du Parc et Centre d’information saisonnier du Parc Centre d’information saisonnier du Parc Tél : 04 92 23 32 31 10 Office de tourisme Ecrins Haut Vénéon – 13 VALGAUDEMAR Les Borels - 05260 Champoléon 05200 Embrun 3 Le Casset La Bérarde Maison du Parc Tél : 04 92 55 91 71 Fax : 04 92 55 97 21 Tél : 04 92 43 49 48 Centre d’information saisonnier du Parc 7 Maison de la Montagne d’Ailefroide et Centre d’information saisonnier du Parc 05800 La Chapelle-en-Valgaudemar e-mail : [email protected] 05220 Le Monêtier les Bains et Centre d’information saisonnier du Parc 38520 Saint-Christophe en Oisans Tél : 04 92 55 25 19 Fax : 04 92 55 39 55 Tél : 04 92 24 53 27 Tél : 0810 00 11 12 Tél : 04 76 80 50 01 e-mail : [email protected] Site internet : www.berarde.com