LA GARE DES RAMIÈRES

This is the home of the National Nature Reserve, a privileged place to learn about the environment and discover the reserve's species and natural habitats. It is home to 46 species of dragonfly, 200 species of butterfly, 200 birds, including 70 migratory birds... Fish, rodents, frogs... Did you know that the Drôme is one of the last wild rivers in Europe without a dam? This explains the great biodiversity of the Réserve naturelle des Ramières. The discovery trail can be completed in an hour or two. It is punctuated by four observation stations. Touch pools allow observation of native fish: blageon, chevaine, trout, carp, pike, apron... The tour continues past the educational pond, the astonishing insect spiral, the butterfly meadow, the orchard and finally the famous beaver lodge. A path links the ponds, meadows, banks, islands and all the remarkable sites of this exceptional biotope. During the school year, the site hosts nature discovery classes. Reserve rangers also offer guided tours. As for the boutique, it offers wooden animals, ethical objects and educational books for young and old alike.
The reserve's emblematic animal remains the beaver(Castor fiber). There are around twenty families on the site. This rodent, the largest in Europe, is distinguished from the others by its flat tail covered in scales. A nocturnal animal, during the day it lives in its network of burrows and burrow-huts. It moves mainly in water, rarely straying more than 30 meters from its home. It feeds mainly on aquatic plants, white willows and black poplars, which it cuts down in the Réserve naturelle des Ramières. Once the branches have been cut, the beaver brings them to a refectory at the water's edge. The Gare des Ramières team regularly observes the beaver, taking photos and monitoring individuals and reproduction. The return of the otter to the Ramières de la Drôme is also confirmed. The European otter began its return to the region from populations in the western Massif Central, thanks to its legal protection in 1972. It took fifteen years for the otter to cross the Ardèche department. Special events throughout the year, including the Fête de la Nature in May, Heritage Days in September and the Fête de la Science in October.