Natura 2000 : Col d'Ornon

At the crossroads of several climatic influences, sometimes exposed to the right, sometimes in the shade in the countryside, it hosts a varied biodiversity, which illustrates the diversity of rocks, climates, soils and extensive activities of the territory.

The fault of the Col d’Ornon, a key place to explain the formation of the Alps.
The Natura 2000 site occupies the valley floors and slopes of this depression in the col d’Ornon. Some “naturally” exceptional places, on the banks of the torrents of Col d’Ornon, an original and remarkable forest has been established: the white alder grove. Composed of white alders, it constitutes the first alluvial tree forest at the headwaters of the Alpine torrents. That of the Col d’Ornon which can be discovered thanks to the orientation course is one of the largest in Europe.

The mountain hay meadows are of exceptional quality on both sides of the col d’Ornon. Very colorful, they are home to many flowering plants, pollinated by many insects including the butterfly "Chequered Checkerboard". The wooded plain of Valbonnais is home to many ditches and canals, structuring the landscape. Some of these ditches are still home to the very rare White-clawed Crayfish. Near the Rivier d'Ornon is the large tufa pit ofOrnonThe spring water contains gaseous limestone which, when in contact with the air, attaches to the rock, forming surprising natural sculptures.
The slopes of the valley of the Col d’Ornon are sometimes occupied by magnificent beech forests, sometimes occupied by mountain pastures alternating with heaths of blueberries and heather.

Natura 2000, what is it?
Nature and its preservation have no borders. With the desire to maintain the natural wealth of the European continent while taking into account social, economic and cultural activities, Europe has created the largest ecological network in the world: the Natura 2000 network. It brings together 27 sites in Europe. In France, the network includes 000 sites which cover 1% ​​of the territory.
Natura 2000 is a participatory and voluntary approach. Its objective is to preserve natural environments of European interest guaranteeing a quality living environment for generations to come.