An enchanting setting…
Having only recently arrived in the region, I decided on this lovely sunny day in June to go for a walk at Le Turet, which I’d heard a lot about. The view from the top of the Col de la Faucille is already taking my breath away… I can’t wait to see what’s in store for me next!
I took the path, which lived up to all its promises, offering me plenty of plants to smell and colourful flowers to observe. I even spot animal tracks. The rangers from the Haute Chaîne du Jura National Nature Reserve had warned me! If I pay attention to my surroundings, I can observe unsuspected flora and fauna…
So I continue on my way along the Turet, between forests and clearings, in the midst of a thousand and one scents. I can just imagine the delighted tree lovers in the midst of all these species. It’s still early, and hikers are few and far between. So I take my time, listening to the silence interspersed with birdsong… for many, the definition of happiness!
… to be preserved!
The Turet path is well signposted, so it’s impossible to get lost, especially as small signs adorn the trees here and there to remind us of our way. Suddenly, a banner caught my eye: in red on a yellow background, it told me that I was in a “wildlife peace zone”.
Access to various paths on either side of the only authorised path is therefore blocked from 15 December to 30 June in this sector. But what else? Imagine yourself in the middle of winter, feeling cold and flat, and perhaps coming down with a cold. You can’t stand the noise, even when it’s muffled, you don’t feel up to taking 2 steps, and looking after your children seems inconceivable.
At times like these, the slightest effort seems insurmountable, the slightest obstacle an insurmountable mountain. Are you there yet? Now you’re in the same situation as the wild fauna that inhabit our beautiful mountains and which, from late autumn to early summer, have to juggle harsh weather conditions, the breeding season and raising their newborns.
As you can see, these “wildlife tranquillity zones” represent their little paradise, their private garden, and above all, their only chance of survival alongside us. And don’t be fooled by the fact that tranquillity means peace and quiet in the broadest sense, not just silence.
In these areas, any disturbance or incursion into the prohibited zone can cause wildlife to flee, thereby exhausting it, preventing it from feeding or making it susceptible to other factors (disease, predation, parasites, etc.), leading to its death in winter or the abandonment of its eggs or young in spring. Think about it when you see these banners!
An unexpected tête-à-tête
If my thoughts wander, my feet continue on their way, and I soon cross the path of an ancient goya – or gully – housing tadpoles in its murky waters. What a lovely sight to see them undulating and playing (unless it’s my imagination playing tricks on me!).
But it wasn’t long before the tadpoles were upstaged by a 4-legged fellow… as I neared the end of the path, a noise on the left caught my attention. I didn’t dare believe it, but there it was, a young chamois standing right in front of me! We looked at each other for a few seconds, curious and unafraid, before his instinct led him to run down the slope at full speed to get away from this strange biped. Now I understand why dogs are not allowed here!
I’ve come across chamois several times before, but every time I see one it’s an indescribable emotion, a mixture of fascination, serenity and recognition.
After a few minutes savouring this precious moment, I set off again for the famous Turet bench, where I can enjoy the final panorama, which also leaves me speechless.
Words are superfluous here, so I'll leave you to discover this marvellous view for yourself!
Thematics
