At the Balcons du Dauphiné, we love nature and it gives us back a hundredfold! Judge for yourself: 20 sensitive natural areas and 2 nature reserves. If protected species such as the European pond turtle or the beaver have become emblematic of our territory, you should also know that out of 33 species of bats present on the national territory, you can come across 25 at Les Balcons! And what about the floristic diversity without being short of superlatives with in particular about forty orchids which are observable in spring.
Here, for several decades now, we have understood that we are only the guardians of nature and not its owners. Also concrete actions of preservation and mediation have been undertaken so that the discovery of all these natural resources is done with respect for the living. The actions carried out by the Department of Isère or by the Lo Parvi association go in this direction.
Sensitive Natural Areas (ENS)
A Sensitive Natural Area (ENS) is an area “whose natural character is threatened and made vulnerable, currently or potentially, either due to urban pressure or the development of economic or leisure activities, or due to a particular interest having regard to the quality of the site or the characteristics of the plant or animal species found there”. The ENS are at the heart of the environmental policies of the departmental councils. They generally contribute to the national green and blue network, which declines the pan-European ecological network in France. At the Balcons du Dauphiné, there are 20 ENS who mesh our territory with the good part of the wetlands but also some dry lawns on the communal areas of Trept, Marsa (Panossas) and on the Larina plateau.
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View of the pond, a designated Sensitive Natural Area, © Benjamin Balme -
Observation pontoon, © Benjamin Balme -
View of the reedbed, © Benjamin Balme -
Aquatic plant from the pond, © Benjamin Balme
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Sensitive natural area of the Lemps pond, B. Bodin © -
Sensitive natural area of the Lemps pond, © Malampia/Department of Isère -
Sensitive natural area of the Lemps pond, © Malampia/Department of Isère -
Sensitive natural area of the Lemps pond, © Malampia / Isère Department -
Route map, © Isère Department
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ENS Gôle pond, © Isère Departmental Council -
ENS Gôle pond, © Isère Departmental Council -
Photo 3, © Isère Departmental Council -
ENS Gôle pond, © Isère Departmental Council -
Photo 5, © Isère Departmental Council
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Sensitive Natural Area of the Hières-sur-Amby peat bog-lake, © Isère Department -
Sensitive Natural Area of the Hières-sur-Amby peat bog-lake, © R. Quesada -
Circuit markings, © Isère Department
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Photo 1, © CD38/Frederic Pinto -
Photo 2, © CD38/Frederic Pinto -
Photo 3, © Hortense Giraud -
Photo 4, © Hortense Giraud -
Photo 5, © Hortense Giraud
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Bouvesse-Quirieu Sensitive Natural Area – Quirieu Site_Bouvesse-Quirieu, © Emmanuelle Bebi, Balcons du Dauphiné Tourist Office -
Sensitive Natural Area of Bouvesse-Quirieu – Quirieu Site_Bouvesse-Quirieu, © Imagine Quirieu -
Bouvesse-Quirieu Sensitive Natural Area – Quirieu Site – Balcons du Dauphiné, © Emmanuelle Bebi, Balcons du Dauphiné Tourist Office
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ENS de Larina, © Departmental Council of Isère -
ENS de Larina, © Departmental Council of Isère -
ENS de Larina, © Departmental Council of Isère -
ENS de Larina, © Departmental Council of Isère -
ENS de Larina, © Departmental Council of Isère
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Photo 1, © CD38/Benjamin Balme -
Luve, © CD38/Benjamin Balme
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ENS Marais de la Besseye observation pontoon, © Isère Departmental Council -
ENS Marais de la Besseye, © Isère Departmental Council -
ENS Marais de la Besseye, © Isère Departmental Council -
ENS Marais de la Besseye, © Isère Departmental Council -
Location plan, © Departmental Council of Isère
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Photo 1, © Hortense Giraud -
Photo 2, © Hortense Giraud -
Boardwalk, © Isère Department -
ENS Lac de Save, © Department of Isère -
Save Sensitive Natural Area – Lake Save, © Isère Department
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Sensitive Natural Area of the Léchère Marsh, © Isère Departmental Council -
Sensitive Natural Area of the Léchère Marsh, © Isère Departmental Council -
Sensitive Natural Area of the Léchère Marsh, © Isère Departmental Council -
Site plan, © Isère Departmental Council -
Trail markings, © Isère Department
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ENS des Mares de Craquenot, © Departmental Council of Isère -
ENS des Mares de Craquenot, © Departmental Council of Isère -
ENS des Mares de Craquenot, © Departmental Council of Isère -
ENS des Mares de Craquenot, © Departmental Council of Isère -
Site plan, © Isère Departmental Council
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Les Balcons du Dauphiné, 1st territory of Isère in terms of attendance during ENS events!
ENS activities and nature outings…
Animation nature sur les ENS : grands voltigeurs, partez découvrir les oiseaux des falaises
Free
Le 10 July 2026
Visit the ENS all year round!
The visit of the ENS can also be done in total autonomy all year round. Thanks to on-site mediation (including simple and educational presentation terminals), you will learn much more about the different animal and plant species that make up the astonishing biodiversity of these ecosystems. And the icing on the cake (or water lily on a pond!), at the pond of Lemps you can even, thanks to a paper support available to adults and children, take part in an orientation course. The course discovery brochures are available free of charge on the ENS website or in our offices. So which of the hare or the tortoise…?
Nature reserves
National Nature Reserve is a tool for the long-term protection of functional natural environments that are representative of biological diversity in France. These sites are managed by a local organization in consultation with the actors of the territory.
The Haut-Rhône alluvial valley was protected in 2013, over 1707 hectares, i.e. 13 municipalities, 5 of which are present on our territory: Brangues, Creys-Mépieu, Le Bouchage, Les Avenières and Saint-Victor-de-Morestel. This protected area, managed by the Syndicate of Haut-Rhône, covers many wetlands and rich alluvial woods around the Rhône, such as the Méandre du Saugey.
The Regional Nature Reserve of the Creys-Mepieu ponds, created in 2001, is managed by the Lo Parvi association. Composed of a mosaic of environments: ponds, reedbeds, peat bogs, dry lawns, woods, hedges, crops, it reflects the diversity of the local natural heritage.
Focus on… The EnviRhôna trail!
In Avenières-Veyrins-Thuellin, the EnviRhôna trail opens the doors to the Haut-Rhône National Nature Reserve. This 3,5 km walk is accessible to everyone, young or old, except for pushchairs and provided they have good shoes. On site, explanatory panels give you the keys to understanding the trail. In any season, you will be accompanied by the song of the birds and perhaps that at nightfall, you will be able, if luck smiles on you, to see a beaver...
Level suitable for beginners
Portraits: nature guides
Joanna
ENS Manager
ENS Nord Isère Manager of the Department of Isère, he may also be required, as part of the site management plan, to undertake cultural actions as was the case in 2018-2019 with an artist residency at Lac de Save . Joanny is overflowing with ideas when it comes to sharing her passion for nature… Our whole team is a fan!
Benjamin
ENS Manager
Benjamin is an ENS manager but he works more specifically on the western part of the territory, in particular at the Etang de Lemps. Follow it during a visit to the site and you will become unbeatable on the tree frog or the European pond turtle...
Raphael
Director of Lo Parvi
Director of Lo Parvi, he manages the Regional Nature Reserve of the ponds of Mépieu and intervenes in various communities of municipalities including the Balcons du Dauphiné to help in the management of the ENS. Carrying out inventories of the natural heritage, protection and classification of sites, promotion and regional planning aimed at reducing or compensating for the impact of certain actions on the environment are his daily lot. A busy man!
Rémi
Curator for the French Haut Rhône National Nature Reserve
Curator for the National Natural Reserve of the French Haut Rhône, he ensures the protection of this large space with a thousand facets. He also supervises kayak outings on the Rhône within the reserve, we recommend!
Our inspirations… nature!
The emblematic species of the Balcons du Dauphiné
Hortense Giraud is a photojournalist. Passionate about nature, she spent a year sharing daily life at the Save River Sensitive Natural Area during her artist residency. She recounts her encounters and exchanges, and presents the emblematic species of our region, in a book entitled "Along the Save River." Excerpt… The European pond turtle…
