Crédits photo bandeau The Sagnes de la Godivelle National Nature Reserve
Created in 1975, the Sagnes de la Godivelle National Nature Reserve lies right in the heart of the Cézallier region at an altitude of 1,200 metres. Its purpose is to protect, manage and raise public awareness about its outstanding biodiversity. It shelters 2 peat bogs, one of which can be found on the banks of the En-Bas lake, the other below the village of La Godivelle.
The Sagnes de la Godivelle Nature Reserve located in La Godivelle is run by the Volcans d’Auvergne Nature Park on behalf of the State. It is a choice site for scientific study.
Each year, new inventories are drawn up that contribute to enhancing the scientists’ knowledge of the local fauna and flora.
The Sagnes de la Godivelle National Nature Reserve
Cottongrass in the Sagnes de La Godivelle Nature Reserve
The Sagnes de la Godivelle National Nature Reserve
A peat bog, or “sagne”, is a wetland area colonised by vegetation under specific environmental conditions; the ground is saturated by stagnant water, depriving of oxygen the micro-organisms (bacteria and fungi) responsible for decomposing and recycling organic matter. The presence of water hence restricts the plant decomposition process. Peat is of course the dominant substrate in the reserve.
The Sagnes de La Godivelle Nature Reserve, the Plaine de Jacquot bog
Added bonus
Psst! Look here... Justine goes to meet the Curator of the Nature Reserve of the Sagnes de la Godivelle.
There are currently over 1,500 species of plants and wildlife in the reserve.
The Nature Reserve is home to fauna and flora that typically survives in the specific conditions of low temperatures, high, constant humidity levels, and water acidity.
For example, the peat bog is abundant in roundleaf sundew (drosera rotundifolia), an iconic carnivorous peatland plant, and the very rare Siberian ligularia (ligularia sibirica), a plant remaining from the glacial periods and rarely found in France.
It is also home to the marsh gentian that’s so appreciated by the caterpillar of a beautiful butterfly, the Alcon blue.
The banks of En-Bas lake are home to some exceptional wildlife, including the otter, a passing guest, and a damselfly that’s rare in Europe, the crescent bluet.
A round-leaved drosera in the Sagnes de La Godivelle Nature Reserve
An Azuré des Mouilleres in the Sagnes de La Godivelle Nature Reserve
A round-leaved drosera in the Sagnes de La Godivelle Nature Reserve
This information centre hosts an exhibition on peatland fauna and flora.
A discovery trail on the banks of the En-Bas lake offers visitors a birdwatching facility and information panels about the biodiversity of this protected natural site.
The Reserve organises guided nature walks in July and August.
The Sagnes de la Godivelle Nature Reserve Centre
Accompanied nature walks co-organised with the Volcans d’Auvergne Nature Park are available in summer to plunge you into the mysterious world of the peat bogs. You’ll get to know the amazing sundew, a small but remarkably efficient carnivorous plant, or the crescent bluet, a damselfly rarely seen in Europe.
Discover the program of outings
Added bonus
Experience an unforgettable moment: discover the Cézallier landscape at sunrise!
Guided nature walks in July and August.
Guided nature walks in the Sagnes de la Godivelle National Nature Reserve
Guided nature walks in July and August.
Let's respect a code of good conduct to preserve this fragile and precious natural heritage :Also, the regulations of the reserve forbid :
A fire-body nymph in the Sagnes de La Godivelle Nature Reserve
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