Wildlife & protected areas
Flying in harmony with nature
The mountains around Passy are a place of freedom, but also a fragile environment home to many wild species. By adapting your flying practice, you can reduce your impact and help preserve this natural balance.
🦌 Mountain ungulates
Chamois and ibex can be heavily stressed by low overflights. In case of panic, they may flee and fall from cliffs. Keep your distance to avoid these situations.
🦅 Raptors
The bearded vulture needs peace and quiet during breeding and until its chick fledges. To protect it, Major Sensitivity Zones (ZSM) are set up, where overflight below 700 m above ground level is prohibited. These areas change every year: check the ASTERS association website to know which zones to avoid.
Other raptors also nest in the massif. The LPO identifies sensitive areas where overflying could disrupt their life cycle, as well as the minimum overflight altitudes. Everything is shown on the interactive map below.
Good habits
✅ Check up-to-date information: ZSM areas change every year. You’ll find the latest info on the ASTERS website and from the LPO.
✅ Never compromise on ZSMs: these zones must be considered no-fly airspace. If one is on your route, don’t hesitate—go around it.
✅ Raise awareness among other pilots: by sharing these good practices, we ensure respectful coexistence with wildlife.
By adjusting our flight paths, we help preserve the species that make our mountains so special. A small detour for us, a huge difference for them!
Nearby natural reserves
The Mont-Blanc massif and its surroundings are home to several natural reserves where wildlife and plant life are protected.
📍 Passy Nature Reserve
Located at the foot of the Fiz range, this reserve protects a mid- and high-mountain ecosystem. It is home to ibex, chamois, and bearded vultures.
Minimum overflight altitude: 300 m.
📍 Aiguilles Rouges Nature Reserve (Chamonix)
Facing Mont Blanc, this reserve is a refuge for many species, including the rock ptarmigan and the golden eagle.
Minimum overflight altitude: 300 m.
📍 Sixt-Passy Nature Reserve
Covering a vast area between Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval and Passy, it protects spectacular landscapes and exceptional biodiversity. Herds of ibex and chamois here are particularly sensitive to stress.
Minimum overflight altitude: 300 m.
📍 Contamines-Montjoie Nature Reserve
The highest natural reserve in France, it extends around the Dômes de Miage massif. It preserves a unique environment inhabited by bearded vultures, black grouse, and marmots.
Minimum overflight altitude: 300 m.
📍 Carlaveyron Nature Reserve
Less well known but just as valuable, this reserve near the Aiguilles Rouges protects peat bogs and alpine forests, home to many discreet but fragile species.
Minimum overflight altitude: 300 m.
📍 Vallon de Bérard Nature Reserve
Located in the heart of the Chamonix valley, this reserve is a preserved area for alpine flora and fauna. It is notably home to chamois, marmots, and bearded vultures.
Minimum overflight altitude: 1,000 m.