Sentier du bord de Lac - Lakeshore path

8 points of interest

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  Panorama

  Panorama of the Baie Saint-Michel

  This area, which has been provided with picnic amenities, offers the most picturesque panorama over the Lac de Serre-Ponçon. In fact, the lake is 2 kilometres wide at this point, and in front of you are the Chapelle Saint Michel and the Pic Morgon, an iconic view of the lake. On your left, to the east, you can see Savines-le-Lac and its bridge. On the right, you can see the secret île de la Tortue.

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  Geology and geography

  Gullied black earth

  Prized by mountain bikers, Terres Noires, or black earth, is formed from rocks which erode easily. The flows caused by precipitations shape and sculpt these friable marls. In the Alpine region, numerous examples can be seen, in particular on slopes, which vary in gradient depending on the area, which increases the speed of the water flow.

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  Fauna

  The Common Blue

  In this small butterfly, the male's upper wings are dark grey, somewhat bluer at the base of the wings, while the female is brown. It is most common at higher altitudes, in July and August, in grasslands and meadows. The Arctic Blue is a species of northern regions (Scandinavia, Greenland, Siberia, North America) which, in more temperate parts, lives only in the mountains.

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  Fauna

  Burnet moth

  This is a medium-sized moth (25 - 35 mm wingspan), often brightly coloured: the inner wing has a maximum of six spots. This burnet moth is found on the edges of calcareous meadows, steppe-like slopes, dry bushes and clearings in dry forests. This remarkable species is a sign of the quality of the habitats but it is not at risk so does not appear on the list of threatened species.

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  Flora

  Downy oak

  The oak has a dark grey bark which is deeply fissured. Its lobed leaves, downy on their undersides, remain dried out on the tree until the spring. The fruits, called acorns, ripen in the autumn. The oak can grow at up to 1,500 metres above sea level, on well exposed slopes. Also called the white oak, the downy oak is well known for hosting truffles among its roots. This fungus develops 30 to 40 cm underground, and the difficulty in finding it makes it a culinary delicacy.

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  Fauna

  Western green lizard

  This lizard can be spotted from April through to late September. The species is in hibernation for the rest of the year. It hunts in areas with dense vegetation and feeds primarily on insects and invertebrates. It exhibits sexual dimorphism, that is to say, during the breeding season only, the males have bright blue colouring on the throat and sides of the head. Mating takes place around May. The males engage in fights, in which they occasionally lose their tails.

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  Fauna

  Grey heron

  This is a tall bird (85 to 102 cm). Its white head is adorned with two large black eyebrows. Its back and wings are ash grey, hence its name. Its legs and beak are yellowish in colour. It uses its long, powerful beak to catch large prey (fish, amphibians etc.). In flight, its neck is folded back forming an «S». This species is wholly protected by regulations.

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  Vernacular heritage

  Chapel of St-Jacques

  Located in Chanteloube, this church is through to date back to 1510. It has retained all its authenticity, with its exposed stone. It is dedicated to Saint James, one of the 12 apostles and one of the first martyrs of the Catholic church. Its recent restoration has made it possible to hold the traditional celebrations there, in honour of Saint James. The purpose of each one is to commemorate a historical event connected with the saint. When he died, he was taken to Compostella in Spain, hence the name of the pilgrim's Way of Saint James to Santiago de Compostella, a religious route passing along the shores of the Serre-Ponçon lake.

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