The Mont Blanc massif constitutes a veritable monument at the heart of Europe whose symbolic force is due as much to its exceptional size as to the variety of its landscapes. That unique image is again reinforced by the biodiversity and the natural richness of the territories that surround it.
The Espace Mont-Blanc covers territories belonging to Savoie and Haute-Savoie, the Autonomous Region of the Aosta Valley, and the Canton of Valais. In this vast area, around 3500 km2, you can find an exceptional richness in terms of natural environments and alpine landscapes.
A large part of the Espace Mont-Blanc is located at high altitude: nearly 80% of the territory is situated above 500 metres.
The land use is quite varied, depending on whether you are passing through the areas at the bottom of the valley or the most elevated summits. People permanently use about 20% of the surface of the Espace Mont-Blanc for housing and for agricultural, artisanal, and tourist activities.
Important areas are subject to protection measures provided either by national or regional legal foundations, or by European programmes for safeguarding the natural environment. The safeguard measures for natural and landscaped environments are intended to form a comprehensive strategy for the conservation of biodiversity. Its natural and landscaped heritage makes the Espace Mont-Blanc a laboratory for implementing actions involving protection and development requirements.
The mountain passes, crossing points, structure the territory traversed by four route communication axes: Mont Blanc, Great St. Bernard, Little St. Bernard, and the Montets/Forclaz.