The Salève

The Salève is much more than a leisure destination; it's a natural area of rare complexity, protected by the European Natura 2000 network (for the Petit Salève only) for the fragility of its ecosystems. The mountain is a sanctuary where every species, from the most common to the rarest, plays an essential role. The diversity of flowers on the Salève is impressive. These include orchids such as ophrys bourdon and sabot de Vénus, as well as a host of other colorful species. The Salève skies are home to prestigious birds of prey such as the peregrine falcon, the kestrel and the vulture. The cliffs and forests are also home to the great horned owl, the great horned owl, the little owl, the white swift and the black redstart. At nightfall, the massif's cavities become essential for the survival of several bat species, including the rhinolophus, rhinolophus minor, murine, Pechstein's murine and barbastelle. In addition to the 700 cattle (cows and lambs) that graze the mountain pastures, the massif is also a corridor for large predators such as the lynx and the wolf. The resident fauna is equally rich, comprising chamois, hinds, foxes, hares, squirrels and hedgehogs. The Salève's dry grasslands are also home to remarkable insects such as the Salève apollo, the crucifer's azure, the plum blossom butterfly, the sulphurous ascalaphe and the delicate leste fiancée dragonfly. Finally, the balance of this ecosystem is completed by the presence of amphibians in the wetlands, such as the great crested newt, yellow-bellied toad and green and red-legged frogs.