Les Chardons Bleus nature reserve (no. 17)
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L'Argentière-la-Bessée

Les Chardons Bleus nature reserve (no. 17)

Fauna
Flora
History and architecture
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Intermediate circuit which culminates at the Les Chardons Bleus nature reserve
This circuit runs above the canyon of the Fournel and takes you to the Deslioures nature reserve, a Natura 2000 site established in 1993 by the French Forestry Commission. This area is home to one of Europe's biggest populations of blue sea holly (Eryngium alpinum) which is protected at national and European level. It is also called the Queen-of-the-Alps.

Description

The circuit starts right in the centre of town, not far from the bridge spanning the Durance. Head due south towards the train station.

  1. After passing the train station on your right and going under the railway bridge, follow the D423 towards the Fournel mines ("Mines du Fournel")
  2. At the mine car park, carry on along the narrow road leading into the little valleyn
  3. At a bridge, the Pont des Albrands, carry on along the forest track on the left-hand bank of the river
  4. When you come to the terminal point of the forest track, turn back on yourself and go back along the path
  5. Head right to cross the Fournel and reach Boujurian. Head towards the Pont d'Albrands and the Pont du Sapey
  6. At the Pont du Sapey, stay on the right-hand bank of the Fournel and start the descent to the district of Plan Léothaud
  7. At Plan Léothaud, go under the railway line. This brings you to the leisure centre and on to the end of the trail via the green route ("Voie Verte")
  • Departure : Place du kiosque, L’Argentière-la-Bessée
  • Arrival : Place du kiosque, L’Argentière-la-Bessée
  • Towns crossed : L'Argentière-la-Bessée

9 points of interest

  • Kiosque à L'Argentière-La Bessées
    Kiosque à L'Argentière-La Bessées - Jan Novak Photography
    History

    The old workers' housing districts

    Workers' housing districts were built to house the many workers who were employed at the Péchiney factory. These districts have now been demolished. The architecture of the houses varied according to the status of the employee. A town hall, a cinema, a bandstand and churches were also constructed. 

  • La turbine Francis
    La turbine Francis - Jan Novak Photography
    History

    The Francis turbine

    The American James Francis developed the Francis turbine between 1849 and 1855. It is a “àreaction” turbine suitable for medium-sized waterfalls (with a water head of between 15 and 500 metres). The water enters the turbine and then circulates between the turbine blades, which are fixed, while the inner wheel is mobile. The pressure at the wheel intake is greater than the pressure at the outlet. 

  • Les mines d'argent
    Les mines d'argent - Thibault Blais Photographie
    Vernacular heritage

    The silver mines

    The path passes close to the silver mines which gave L'Argentière its name (argent meaning "silver"). They were first worked in the early Medieval period and later abandoned before exploitation resumed again in the nineteenth century. They were finally closed in 1908. Since 1992, the site has been the subject of archaeological excavations, with major work to clear materials carried by the Fournel when in flood. They can be visited with a guide (by appointment), leaving the visitor in awe: how much ingenuity has been involved in extracting the silver-bearing galena!
  • Canyoning - Fournel
    Canyoning - Fournel - Jan Novak Photography
    Water

    The Fournel

    The Fournel mountain stream gives generously. Its water makes up a large proportion of the town's drinking water, supplies the irrigation canals, is used for hydropower and offers a recreational area valuable to the local economy in the form of its canyon, located in the gorge connecting it to the Durance. Being a mountain stream, it is impetuous, but sills have been built lower down and it has been dammed to prevent natural disasters. Numerous mountain streams have received the same treatment…

  • If fleurs mâles
    If fleurs mâles - Nicollet Bernard - Parc national des Écrins
    Flora

    The common yew

    Stands of common yew have declined significantly due to felling for wood and because of its toxicity for livestock and humans: it has been dug up or cut down in numerous regions. It has also been widely collected because it contains a cancer [fighting] agent. A large population survives in the Fournel valley and it is currently being monitored.
  • Bergeronnette des ruisseaux
    Bergeronnette des ruisseaux - Saulay Pascal - Parc national des Écrins
    Fauna

    The grey wagtail

    This timid bird with a grey back and yellow breast, has a long tail, like its cousin the white wagtail. As its name suggests, it is highly dependent on flowing water and it finds a favourite haunt on the banks of the Fournel river. It feeds on aquatic insects and nests on the riverbanks.

  • Aiguilles de sapin blanc
    Aiguilles de sapin blanc - Parc national des Écrins
    Flora

    The silver fir

    A few coniferous trees, including the fir, are mixed in among the deciduous trees. The fir thrives on this north-exposed slope, called the ubac, because it cannot tolerate drought. Its flat needles are arranged on either side of the boughs rather than all the way around them, which distinguishes it from the spruce. They have two white stripes on their undersides. Its elongated cones stand upright, rather than hanging downwards.

  • Stade d'eau vive
    Stade d'eau vive - Office de tourisme du Pays des Écrins
    Water

    The white water stadium

    As part of its restructuring after the closure of the industrial site, the town of L'Argentière-la-Bessée opted for sports tourism, exploiting the natural elements present on the site, that is to say, water. Standing at the beginning of the longest navigable section of the Durance river, in 1993 the municipality decided to establish itself as a major white water centre by creating this stadium which covers a 400-metre stretch. So thanks to its reputation and its ideal situation, every year this stadium hosts several elite competitions at national and international level.
  • Anciennes industries de L'Argentière-la-Bessée
    Anciennes industries de L'Argentière-la-Bessée - Office de tourisme du Pays des Écrins
    History

    Former industrial area of L’Argentière-la-Bessée

    On the two walls of these now-disused industrial structures, you can read the history of L’Argentière-la-Bessée. The town is marked by its industrial past, in particular by the presence of a hydroelectric power station built between 1907 and 1909 to harness the power of the mountain waterfalls. At the time, it was the most powerful power station in Europe. Other industries were also established here, like the Société du Quartz Fondu fused quartz works and the aluminium factory which provided livelihoods for a large number of workers.

Forecast


Altimetric profile


Sensitive areas

Along your trek, you will go through sensitive areas related to the presence of a specific species or environment. In these areas, an appropriate behaviour allows to contribute to their preservation. For detailed information, specific forms are accessible for each area.

Golden eagle

Impacted practices:
Aerial, , Vertical
Sensitivity periods:
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAug
Contact:
Parc National des Écrins
Julien Charron
julien.charron@ecrins-parcnational.fr

Golden eagle

Impacted practices:
Aerial, , Vertical
Sensitivity periods:
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAug
Contact:
Parc National des Écrins
Julien Charron
julien.charron@ecrins-parcnational.fr

Short-toed snake eagle

Impacted practices:
Aerial,
Sensitivity periods:
MarAprMayJunJulAugSep
Contact:
Parc National des Écrins
Julien Charron
julien.charron@ecrins-parcnational.fr

Short-toed snake eagle

Impacted practices:
Aerial,
Sensitivity periods:
MarAprMayJunJulAugSep
Contact:
Parc National des Écrins
Julien Charron
julien.charron@ecrins-parcnational.fr

Short-toed snake eagle

Impacted practices:
Aerial,
Sensitivity periods:
MarAprMayJunJulAugSep
Contact:
Parc National des Écrins
Julien Charron
julien.charron@ecrins-parcnational.fr

Short-toed snake eagle

Impacted practices:
Aerial,
Sensitivity periods:
MarAprMayJunJulAugSep
Contact:
Parc National des Écrins
Julien Charron
julien.charron@ecrins-parcnational.fr

Recommandations

Rescue services contact details: Secours Montagne (Mountain Rescue): +33 (0)4 92 22 22 22 or 112

Take your litter home;

Do not take shortcuts across pastureland

Information desks

Vallouise Park house

, 05290 Vallouise

http://www.ecrins-parcnational.fr/vallouise@ecrins-parcnational.fr04 92 23 58 08

Information, documentation, models, exhibitions, screenings, product sales and works of the Park. Guided tours for school, reservation required. The new Park House opened in Vallouise since June 1, and offers visitors an interactive permanent exhibition inviting to explore the area and its heritage. A temporary exhibition space will allow a renewed offer. Finally, the device is completed by an audiovisual room to organize screenings and conferences Free admission. All animations of the Park are free unless otherwise stated.

Find out more

23 Avenue de la République, 05120 L'Argentière-La Bessée

https://www.paysdesecrins.com/contact@paysdesecrins.com+33(0)4 92 23 03 11

Transport

Public transport >> www.pacamobilite.fr
Consider car-sharing >> www.blablacar.fr

For more information, ask at the Tourist Information Office nearest to the trail starting point >> www.paysdesecrins.com

Access and parking

16 km from Briançon, take the N94.

Parking :

Car park of the Place du kiosque, L’Argentière-la-Bessée

More information


Source


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