Whether round a bend in a path or up on the hillsides, alpine wildlife can sometimes be spotted.
Every encounter is a rare and precious moment.
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Discovering the flora and fauna
from one meeting to the nextSilence… keep your eyes peeled and your ears pricked. It will make the encounter all the more magical. On the ground, marmots, hares, squirrels, chamois, ibex and various insects may make an appearance as you wander, whilst in the skies, birds of prey and other iconic birds will be your companions on your mountain walks.
Discover
iconic species
Discovering
emblematic species
Spotlight on the
black grouse
An iconic bird of mountainous habitats, about the size of a hen, the black grouse is a vulnerable and protected species. In winter, it conserves energy by sheltering beneath the snow. In spring, it performs its famous courtship displays, which are essential for its reproduction. If you come across one, you’ll no doubt recognise it by its red crest.
But be careful: the black grouse is particularly vulnerable to human disturbance, especially in winter and spring. Even stepping off the path can be enough to cause significant stress, or even endanger its survival.
The black grouse (Lyrurus tetrix), also known as the northern black grouse, Eurasian black grouse, blackgame or blackcock, is a large game bird in the grouse family. This bird recently became extinct in the Netherlands. A wildlife scene from the European countryside.
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Focus on the ibex
The Alpine ibex is one of the great symbols of life at altitude. Recognisable by its long, curved horns, it moves with remarkable ease along the steepest rock faces.
Once threatened with extinction, it is now one of the great conservation success stories of the Alps. It can be seen on rocky slopes, where it takes advantage of inaccessible areas to feed and rest.
A closer look at marmots
The marmot is undoubtedly one of the most iconic and beloved animals of the mountains. It lives in colonies in high-altitude meadows and digs complex burrows where it spends much of the year.
Very active in summer, it spends the rest of the year in prolonged hibernation. Its characteristic whistle serves as a warning signal in the event of danger, alerting the whole group.
Although it may seem familiar, the marmot remains a wild animal: it is important not to feed it in order to preserve its natural behaviour.
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Good practice
in the mountains
How to behave
When out walking, it is essential to behave respectfully in order to protect the flora and fauna around you:
– Do not pick flowers
– Stay on the marked paths to avoid trampling on delicate vegetation
– Avoid making unnecessary noise: wild animals and herds need peace and quiet
– Fires: these are only permitted in designated fire pits
– Dogs: they must be kept on a lead
– Rubbish: be considerate – do not leave your rubbish in the countryside
– Watch out for herds and guard dogs: make sure you close gates properly
Wild flora
Touching with the eyes
Mountain flora is best explored with curiosity… but without ever touching it. In Vars, it reveals itself through the changing seasons and at different altitudes, creating rich and ever-changing landscapes.
In the alpine meadows, you can admire a wide variety of wildflowers such as gentians, anemones and edelweiss. The larch forests, meanwhile, offer a unique atmosphere, particularly in autumn when their golden hues transform the landscape. Higher up, vegetation becomes scarcer and more subtle due to the weather conditions: wind, cold and intense light.
This flora, as beautiful as it is fragile, plays a vital role in the balance of mountain ecosystems. It is there to be observed and admired… but not picked: here, nature is experienced solely through the eyes.
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