Passy National Nature Reserve

Passy National Nature Reserve covers a large mountain area between the Aiguilles Rouges and Mont-Blanc ranges in Haute-Savoie. The terrain features limestone cliffs, steep rock walls, and varied geological formations that reveal multiple geological periods.

The reserve was established in 1980 to protect the mountain region and its natural features. It now connects the neighboring Sixt-Passy reserve with the Aiguilles Rouges massif as a continuous protected landscape.

Local herders continue to use the high-altitude pastures for summer grazing, with cattle and sheep shaping the mountain landscape. This practice remains central to the region's identity and mountain character.

The area has several marked trails ranging from easy to challenging for nature watching and photography. Proper footwear and preparation for changing mountain weather conditions are important when exploring the different routes.

The Fiz cliff face rises over 600 meters high and displays 90 million years of Earth history within its rock layers. This vertical wall visually documents the transition from ancient seas to Alpine mountain formation.