{"id":46095,"date":"2025-07-22T11:04:56","date_gmt":"2025-07-22T09:04:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.paysdesecrins.com\/must-see-sites\/vallon-du-fournel\/"},"modified":"2025-08-06T16:14:46","modified_gmt":"2025-08-06T14:14:46","slug":"vallon-du-fournel","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.paysdesecrins.com\/en\/i-choose\/must-see-sites\/vallon-du-fournel\/","title":{"rendered":"Vallon du Fournel"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Vallon du Fournel <\/em>A secret valley, an open-air mountain garden…
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Welcome to the Fournel valley, a little-known but fascinating corner of the Pays des \u00c9crins. Located in the town of L’Argenti\u00e8re-La Bess\u00e9e, this valley with its wild and quiet atmosphere is well worth a visit. Here, there are no crowds, but precious nature and a rich past, to be discovered at your own pace. <\/p>\n\n

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In terms of flora, you’ve come to the right place <\/h3><\/div>

The Deslioures Biological Reserve is home to one of the most beautiful populations of blue thistles (or queens of the Alps), a rare plant protected at the national level. In summer, the meadows are transformed into a blue-green picture, between butterflies, marmots and alpine silence. A signposted educational trail allows you to better understand the ecosystem of this valley on the edge of the \u00c9crins National Park. <\/p>

But the Fournel is also a strong human story. Once exploited for livestock and cultivation, the valley remains a pastoral territory, with shepherds who now share the space with hikers and naturalists. The ONF and the National Park coordinate the whole thing to preserve biodiversity. <\/p>

Want to get moving?<\/h3><\/div>

You can hike on the trails leading to the ridges and lookouts, or try your hand at canyoning in the Fournel canyon, a must for whitewater enthusiasts. And for a cultural touch, don’t miss the Fournel Silver Mine, an impressive testimony to past industrial activity. <\/p>

Access: from L’Argenti\u00e8re-La Bess\u00e9e, follow the direction of Le Fournel (car park in summer).
To do: hiking, botanical trail, canyoning, guided tour of the mine.
Best time: June to August for blue thistles.
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