Haute vallée de l'Ain, ENS de l'Ain

The "Haute Vallée de l'Ain" Sensitive Natural Area includes watercourses and tributaries of the River Ain, such as the Pisse Vache reach and waterfall and the Noire Fontaine stream.
The perimeter also includes the Cize Bolozon viaduct and the loop of the Ain, emblematic of the department, as well as high points appreciated for the landscapes and panoramic views they offer: the Belvédère des Roches, the Rochers de Jarbonnet, Mont Balvay, the côte de Conflans, the Col de la Bréchette.
The site of the dinosaur footprints, located at Hautecourt-Romanèche, is part of the ENS. Finally, the perimeter includes the ENS of the "Grotte et reculée de Corveissiat".

Surface area: 1,329 hectares

Municipalities concerned: Poncin, Serrières-sur-Ain, Challes-La-Montagne, Leyssard, Bolozon, Matafelon-Granges, Corveissiat, Cize, Hautecourt-Romanèche, Serrières-sur-Ain
Type of site: River, wetlands, woods and forests, cliffs, caves, scree, dry grasslands

Geographical entity: Revermont

Protection status: Natura 2000 site "Orchid lawn, rocky habitats of the Revermont and Ain Gorges", APPB (protected area for rock birds), classified site (Corveissiat cave and retreat) and ENS (protected natural area) "Corveissiat cave and retreat".

The ENS "Haute Vallée de l'Ain" has a mosaic of habitats hosting an exceptional diversity of species (wetlands, meadows and dry grasslands, forests and woodlands).
In particular, the rocky environments are home to species such as the Peregrine Falcon and the Great Horned Owl, as well as typical plant species. Caves and small cavities also provide shelter for bats.

GEOLOGY: The Ain gorges sector corresponds to the crossing of the karstic relief of the Revermont by the river. The latter is bordered by deep limestone ledges rich in caves and resurgences. The plateaus are mainly wooded and grazed.

FRAGILITES / THREATS: The reconciliation of the multiple uses of the site (nature sports, tourism, fishing, management of aquatic environments, hydroelectric dams) is a major challenge for this site.

The use of the Corveissiat cave, which is home to bat populations, is regulated (the AGEK is currently drawing up regulations for its use).
In addition, the abandonment of traditional agro-pastoral activities is leading to the closure of dry grasslands through overgrowth and threatens, in the long term, to maintain these open spaces.