15 summits higher than 3 000 metres and an average altitude of 2 300 metres.

The isolation of the Queyras has helped to preserve its rural character and shield it from the effects of industrialisation. Nowadays it is a unique region in the Hautes-Alpes and the southern Alps in general, owing to the beauty of its high mountain landscapes, its geology, the richness of its mountain flora (orchids in particular) and the variety of its wildlife, which the Queyras Regional Natural Park strives to protect, at the same time as it supports normal human activity. The Queyras has kept its traditions longer than other regions; and out of all the communes, it is perhaps Arvieux which has best preserved its customs, because it was totally cut off until 1897 when the Col d’Izoard road provided access.

Open to the West and bordering Italy, the park is made up of high mountains peaks, like the famous Mont-Viso. Legendary passes such as the Col d’Izoard and Col Agnel test Tour de France riders to the fullest. The larches blaze here in autumn and the forest is covered in snow in winter. Not surprisingly, timber is an economic resource here, used for construction and for making furniture and toys. Le Queyras’ remarkable architecture differs from one valley to the next, particularly with the fustes [log chalets] in Molines in Saint-Véran or the arched farms in Arvieux.

Ptarmigan, marmots, golden eagles, and the iconic black grouse live in Le Queyras sheltered from the urban world. It is a haven for mammals like badgers, foxes and mountain hares. More on the bird front, it includes upland species like, alpine chough, northern wheatears, nutcracker and snow finch. Birds of prey are abundant including two owls, the pygmy and tengmalm’s.

Enchanting, Le Queyras is one of the rare forgotten paradises of the Alps.

All the usual suspects are found in the Queyras, red and roe deer, chamois, ibex and muflons, an introduced wild sheep brought in for hunting practices. The park is also visited by roving packs of wolves moving in and out of the park via the Italian border. There is another large carnivore entering the park a stealthy camouflaged feline we are going discover below.

This secretive predator wears a thick pale-coloured fur coat with dark spots and has wide paws that prevent it sinking into the snow. It’s distingusing features are a pair of tufted ears, fluffy white facial ruff, that gives an impression of a manicured moustache and short black tipped tail.

The Eurasian lynx is the largest cat in Europe and can weigh up to 38 kg. it is a pure carnivore. Yet, the animal is far from choosy about what it eats. Depending on the availability of prey, the lynx hunts cloven-hoofed animals such as roe deer, chamois and mouflon, as well as young red deer. Small mammals such as mountain hares and, in rare instances, smaller predators such as foxes. The lynx hunts mainly in the evening, when its prey are also active.