Pré-Michel nature trail

7 points of interest

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  Flora

  Mountain Circium

  This circium grows in the subalpine zone. Like all Asteraceae, its particularity is to be composed of a multitude of small flowers close to each other (the most famous Asteraceae is probably the daisy). This plant is nationally protected. In the Hautes Alpes, it can only be found on the lower slopes of Queyras.

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  Flora

  The Aspen

  The leaves of the aspen have the characteristic of twirling in the slightest breeze. It is this feature that earned it its name. It loves the light and colonizes clearings, cuttings and forest edges. The abandonment of agriculture in Pré-Michel was a blessing for this tree, which is gradually spreading. For the species already present, its arrival is a calamity. Indeed, the shade it brings causes the disappearance of many meadow flowers.

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  Fauna

  Black woodpecker

  The largest of all woodpeckers (45cm), it is a solitary bird. It feeds on plants, insect borers and ants. Hyperactive, it is always moving. It goes from one tree to another in an irregular and powerful flight. Its beak allows it to pierce tree trunks to search for food or to create holes in which it can nest. Once abandoned, the nests are used by chickadees, Boreal owls, martens, bees, etc.

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  Elevage et pastoralisme

  Agricultural decline

  In 1850, Queyras was at its peak with a population of 8,500 inhabitants. Agriculture was present everywhere. Part of the forest has been cleared for pasture or hay fields. This type of agriculture has enabled a particular type of flora to grow. Changing lifestyles, the development of industry in cities, two world wars and changing agricultural practices decimated the population. In 1970, only 1,900 inhabitants still lived in Queyras. The least accessible plots are abandoned and the forest takes over.

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  Flora

  Anemone narcissiflora

  The Anemone narcissiflora is found in meadows, pastures and on the edges of limestone cliffs. It is characterized by its beautiful white flowers grouped in umbels.

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  Panorama

  Viewpoint on Viso

  So close yet so far away. From here Mont Viso appears to be a few steps away and yet it would take many hours for even the bravest to reach it.

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  Geology

  La Roche écroulée

  At the end of the 19th century, in the Haut Guil area, the mountain rumbled. A succession of cracking sounds and screams were heard. A dust cloud appeared in the distance. Some thought it was an earthquake. In the following days, the local inhabitants went to a place called ‘lou pas des maisons’ and had a major surprise: part of the Pic des Lauzes had collapsed and millions of tons of rocks covered the hay fields. La Roche écroulée is the result of this event.