Mount Pierre

Mount Pierre rises 292 meters above sea level in the Crozet archipelago with steep slopes and exposed rock formations visible across its sides. The terrain reflects its volcanic origins and its position exposed to the southern Indian Ocean environment.

The mountain became French territory in 1772 when naval officer Marc-Joseph Marion du Fresne claimed the Crozet Islands for France. This claim established a lasting French presence in this remote southern region of the Indian Ocean.

The summit serves as a breeding site for seabirds like albatrosses and petrels that return each year to the same nesting areas. These bird colonies shape the island's living landscape and show how wildlife depends on this remote location.

Access requires authorization from French authorities and specialized vessel transportation departing mainly between October and March from Reunion Island. Visitors should prepare for extreme weather conditions and long sea voyages to reach the remote location.

The mountain serves as a critical breeding ground for wandering albatrosses and other seabirds that return to the exact same spot after months on the open ocean. This lifelong loyalty to a nesting site across multiple years is a remarkable biological behavior that defines the location.