Lauvitel

Lauvitel is a protected wilderness area in the French Alps centered around a large lake nestled in a mountain valley. The region features steep slopes and towering peaks above 3000 meters that shape the dramatic alpine setting.

The area formed roughly 4000 years ago when a major rock collapse combined with glacier debris blocked the valley. These geomorphic events shaped the current landscape and created the conditions for the lake.

This place embodies French conservation efforts by keeping the mountain landscape untouched and free from development. The strict regulations maintain it as a refuge for alpine plants and wildlife.

Visitors reach this area via a marked trail from the La Danchère parking lot, with the walk gaining several hundred meters in elevation. The path is clearly marked, but you should prepare for alpine conditions and changeable weather.

The area holds rare alpine plant species found only in a few parts of the French Alps and kept under scientific observation. This botanical distinction makes it an important location for studying mountain ecosystems.

Location: Le Bourg-d'Oisans

Inception: May 9, 1995

Elevation above the sea: 1,700 m

Operator: Parc national des Écrins

Part of: Écrins National Park

GPS coordinates: 44.94937,6.06032

Latest update: December 14, 2025 12:20