Seen from the sky, the imposing Écrins massif is a liner among the hundred or so ships that proudly raise their peaks along the Alpine arc. With majestic mythical peaks such as the Barre des Écrins, 4102 m; deep wild valleys and several climatic influences; the formidable biodiversity of the massif motivated the creation of a strong protection area in 1973: the Écrins National Park.
The trails of the Écrins National Park are trodden by mountain lovers, who pass on their favourite spot around a good goat cheese. This is how, over time, some hikes in the massif have become “best-sellers”.
The star lake of Écrins hides a secret reserve
On the Vénéon side, the Lauvitel lake, the largest in the massif, has become a “local classic” when you come to Oisans. A feast for the eyes and a headache to preserve the calm that nature needs. A concern that has a very special character here, since it is also on this site that the very first integral reserve in France was created, an area totally preserved from any human influence.
Beauty in its raw state
An emerald mirror set with slender mountains. A picture-postcard lake, formed following a landslide that hikers climb today to soak up this gentle power of nature. Beauty is everywhere, the rock faces, the mountain pastures and the surrounding forest, everything contributes to lastingly inscribing this feeling of revitalization and appeasement that everyone climbs to seek. Such a feeling of plenitude can only be shared!
This is how, over time, the Lauvitel became a small local celebrity and its attendance jumped.
All paradoxes are in nature
In its setting, the jewel hides a nugget… A reserve where no one can enter to give nature free rein, without direct human influence. A full reserve is like a bubble of freedom for nature, where nothing will prevent the spontaneous phenomena that mark its evolution. Even the Park's rangers must request authorization to enter in order to study the fauna and flora. The Lauvitel site had the ideal characteristics to create such a place: if the banks of the lake are easily accessible on one side, it is quite the opposite on the other side. The Reserve is surrounded by ridges and cliffs that are difficult to cross.
Thus, on the banks of the same lake, a paradox has emerged. Two extremes that are part of the life of the place, two facets of the same approach for the Park which seeks to share an exceptional space while protecting it.
The Lauvitel arouses everyone's interest and also a little concern, it must be said. When it's beautiful, you have to show it, but to show it is to take the risk that beauty fades.
It is by respecting each person's place that the solution exists. Mountain dwellers like to think that the curious who tread the trails are as sensitive as they are to this shared nature. That it is natural for everyone to follow the trail around a small grove rather than cutting a pin and trampling it. That spying on the signs of wildlife, sitting discreetly on a rock, is just as captivating as wanting to take a selfie with the marmots, all too often solicited. That letting oneself go to daydream on the beach is more revitalizing than trying to canoe on the waters of the lake.
To love is to keep
Imagine reading these lines sitting on the rocks at the edge of the Lauvitel… Faced with this raw, wild nature, as beautiful as it is intimidating, you will see only kindness and common sense in this message. Raising awareness of the protection of natural environments is no longer a boring speech, which talks about waste and noise, but a simple reminder of the basic values that resonate in us quite naturally…
So, if you feel like discovering this beautiful valley, and when you arrive at La Danchère the car park already appears full, know when to give up. The surrounding mountains are full of magnificent hikes, and another day it will be your turn!
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