Réserve naturelle nationale des Contamines-Montjoie, protected area in France
The Réserve naturelle nationale des Contamines-Montjoie is a protected area stretching from about 3,600 feet (1,100 meters) to nearly 12,800 feet (3,900 meters) at the Aiguille de Tré-la-Tête. This elevation change creates multiple distinct environments, from dense spruce forests at lower levels through open alpine meadows to glaciers and rocky zones at the summit.
The reserve was established in 1979 and remains the only protected area of its kind within the Mont-Blanc range. The landscape reflects centuries of human activity including pastoral farming and water use that shaped the terrain long before official protection began.
The name reflects the two villages at the reserve's edge, marking a long history of settlement in this mountain valley. The meadows and pastures show traditional farming patterns that shepherds and mountain farmers have maintained for centuries, creating the landscape visitors see today.
The reserve has over 80 miles (130 kilometers) of marked hiking trails and four mountain refuges where walkers can rest. Visitors should note that camping, fires, motorized vehicles, and swimming in the lakes are not permitted, and dogs must stay leashed on all paths.
The reserve contains over 660 plant species, some found only in the Alps, and 87 bird species including rare mountain birds that breed nowhere else. This concentration of biodiversity in a relatively small space offers visitors an unusual chance to see multiple alpine ecosystems in their natural state.
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