The Emparis Plateau

The Plateau d'Emparis, whose name could derive from the Celtic term "Par" meaning "exposed to the sun", is a vast high-altitude balcony offering a remarkable panorama of the mineral chaos of the Meije. This natural site, with the appearance of steppe and tundra, is characterized by a very rich flora and fauna, notably including fragrant oat grass in its wettest areas. The plateau has several bodies of water, such as the Lac Lérié and the Lac Noir, as well as peat bogs and petrifying fountains. Listed and protected since 1991, it is integrated into the Natura 2000 network and is within the membership area of the Écrins National Park. Traditionally a grazing area, it still hosts herds of cattle and sheep in summer, whose grazing contributes to the maintenance of meadows and biodiversity.