The Sensitive Natural Areas
Come and discover the biodiversity of the Montagne Noire thanks to the five protected zones, listed as ‘Sensitive Natural Areas’!
PROTECTING BIODIVERSITY IN AUDE
Identified by the department of Aude, the Sensitive Natural Areas (SNA) are natural zones that are granted extra protection for the protection of biodiversity.
The purpose of this scheme from the department of Aude is to raise awareness of all the natural treasures and educate people of all ages in the protection of the environment.
In total in the department of Aude, there are 17 Sensitive Natural Areas that have been marked out with information panels featuring details about the local wildlife, offering people a chance to find out more about the environment around them. Four of these zones are in the Montagne Noire!
This initiative from the department of Aude also includes free visits and activities for everyone and all ages, led by environmental professionals, all year long.
THE SENSITIVE NATURAL AREAS IN THE MONTAGNE NOIRE
In the Montagne Noire, you can explore four Sensitive Natural Areas, natural zones where local biodiversity is given extra protection. So get ready to see the round-leaved sundew, Eurasian goshawk and the Catalan wall lizard!
La Rouge forest - Saissac
The La Rouge forest covers an area of 93 hectares and is home to many broad leaf and coniferous tree species. Located between the village of Saissac and the Lampy lake, the forest has the Vernassonne river running through it, which is one of the main waterways flowing down from the Montagne Noire peaks. With the Rigole de la Montagne running alongside it for over two kilometres, there will soon be a themed trail there linked to the Rigole.
The Laprade-Basse – Cuxac-Cabardès wetlands
Known as ‘sagnes’ in the Montagne Noire region, these wetlands are home to many wonderful species. Explore this rich, protected habitat while staying dry on our boardwalk path over the wetlands, and finish your walk by the Dure river. This path leads you through various different types of wetlands, shows you how they function and introduces you to the specialist plant and animal species.
Cubserviès - Roquefère
Located in the Montagne Noire at an altitude of 730 metres, in the Roquefère area near the hamlet of the same name, the Cubserviès waterfall emerges from the gneiss cliff and, at 90 metres high, it’s the highest in the department. Upstream of the falls, from the meadows, you’ll find a walking trail with explanatory signs, terraces and remains of mills in this little piece of rural heritage bearing witness to post-war subsistence farming.
The Montagne Noire departmental forest - Les Martys
This departmental forest covers an area of almost 400 hectares in the highlands of the Montagne Noire, with two valleys cutting through it – the Orbiel river and the Tourette stream. A patchwork of broad leaf and coniferous species, this vast forest has preserved remains of a former farming community, with a number of traces of smallholding plots, a few ‘pesquiés’ (small pools) and crop terraces buried beneath trees and shrubs. At the Combo-Falgouzo forest house, there are signs showing the amphibian species found in the pond near the house and there are also bats present in the forest.
The Bonde - Cuxac-Cabardès wetlands
The Sagne de la Bonde wetlands is a Sensitive Natural Area with a pleasant visitor’s trail so you can discover this fascinating natural environment at the heart of Cuxac-Cabardès at your own pace. To find out more about the biodiversity in this Sensitive Natural Area, you can take part in an investigation in the great outdoors: Ombre sur la Sagne (application to download or printed booklet available at the Tourist Office).
PROTECTING BIODIVERSITY IN AUDE
Identified by the department of Aude, the Sensitive Natural Areas (SNA) are natural zones that are granted extra protection for the protection of biodiversity.
The purpose of this scheme from the department of Aude is to raise awareness of all the natural treasures and educate people of all ages in the protection of the environment.
In total in the department of Aude, there are 17 Sensitive Natural Areas that have been marked out with information panels featuring details about the local wildlife, offering people a chance to find out more about the environment around them. Four of these zones are in the Montagne Noire!
This initiative from the department of Aude also includes free visits and activities for everyone and all ages, led by environmental professionals, all year long.
THE SENSITIVE NATURAL AREAS IN THE MONTAGNE NOIRE
In the Montagne Noire, you can explore four Sensitive Natural Areas, natural zones where local biodiversity is given extra protection. So get ready to see the round-leaved sundew, Eurasian goshawk and the Catalan wall lizard!
La Rouge forest - Saissac
The La Rouge forest covers an area of 93 hectares and is home to many broad leaf and coniferous tree species. Located between the village of Saissac and the Lampy lake, the forest has the Vernassonne river running through it, which is one of the main waterways flowing down from the Montagne Noire peaks. With the Rigole de la Montagne running alongside it for over two kilometres, there will soon be a themed trail there linked to the Rigole.
The Laprade-Basse – Cuxac-Cabardès wetlands
Known as ‘sagnes’ in the Montagne Noire region, these wetlands are home to many wonderful species. Explore this rich, protected habitat while staying dry on our boardwalk path over the wetlands, and finish your walk by the Dure river. This path leads you through various different types of wetlands, shows you how they function and introduces you to the specialist plant and animal species.
Cubserviès - Roquefère
Located in the Montagne Noire at an altitude of 730 metres, in the Roquefère area near the hamlet of the same name, the Cubserviès waterfall emerges from the gneiss cliff and, at 90 metres high, it’s the highest in the department. Upstream of the falls, from the meadows, you’ll find a walking trail with explanatory signs, terraces and remains of mills in this little piece of rural heritage bearing witness to post-war subsistence farming.
The Montagne Noire departmental forest - Les Martys
This departmental forest covers an area of almost 400 hectares in the highlands of the Montagne Noire, with two valleys cutting through it – the Orbiel river and the Tourette stream. A patchwork of broad leaf and coniferous species, this vast forest has preserved remains of a former farming community, with a number of traces of smallholding plots, a few ‘pesquiés’ (small pools) and crop terraces buried beneath trees and shrubs. At the Combo-Falgouzo forest house, there are signs showing the amphibian species found in the pond near the house and there are also bats present in the forest.
The Bonde - Cuxac-Cabardès wetlands
The Sagne de la Bonde wetlands is a Sensitive Natural Area with a pleasant visitor’s trail so you can discover this fascinating natural environment at the heart of Cuxac-Cabardès at your own pace. To find out more about the biodiversity in this Sensitive Natural Area, you can take part in an investigation in the great outdoors: Ombre sur la Sagne (application to download or printed booklet available at the Tourist Office).
