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Nearby park discovery

Geographic analysis of neighboring protected lands and regional park environments

Protected Areas and Natural Landscapes Surrounding Réserve naturelle régionale du récif fossile de Marchon - Christian Gourrat

Discover the network of protected areas and regional landscapes located in the vicinity of the Réserve naturelle régionale du récif fossile de Marchon - Christian Gourrat. This collection maps the geographic distribution of nearby wilderness areas and geological sites throughout the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes landscape. Identify neighboring environmental contexts and protected lands within the southern Jura mountain range and beyond.

Related tags

fossil reefpaleontologyjurassic geologygeological heritagesmall nature reserve

A tiny geological reserve protecting a Kimmeridgian coral and rudist reef outcrop in the Ain department.

Réserve naturelle régionale du récif fossile de Marchon - Christian Gourrat

The Réserve naturelle régionale du récif fossile de Marchon, also known by the reference number RNR284, is one of the smallest regional nature reserves in France. Located in the commune of Arbent in the Ain department of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, near the town of Oyonnax, it occupies a surface of only 0.1 hectare, making it the second smallest nature reserve in the country. The reserve protects a small limestone outcrop containing a fossil reef from the Kimmeridgian stage of the Upper Jurassic. The reef is built from corals and rudists and is considered the reference site, or locus typicus, for these fossil assemblages. Although the geological exposure itself is extremely limited in size, its scientific significance is considerable because it preserves a well-documented example of an ancient shallow marine reef ecosystem now exposed within a forest setting. Beyond its geological value, the reserve sits within a beech-fir woodland, the forêt de Marchon, providing a quiet forested setting for a site of primarily paleontological interest. It is open to the public, but any form of fossil collecting or disturbance of the outcrop is strictly prohibited.

Location
France
Park type
Nature reserve
Established
2015
Area
0 km²
Explore the Réserve naturelle régionale du récif fossile de Marchon - Christian Gourrat
Regional park map

See the ranked park cluster in its geographic setting

Nearby parks around Réserve naturelle régionale du récif fossile de Marchon - Christian Gourrat

This regional map shows the same 20 nearby parks ranked below around Réserve naturelle régionale du récif fossile de Marchon - Christian Gourrat. Select a ranked marker to highlight that park’s boundary where boundary data is available.
Reference park: Réserve naturelle régionale du récif fossile de Marchon - Christian GourratRanked nearby park20 nearby parks shown
20 nearby parks

Distance ranked protected areas and regional park geography for comparative environmental analysis

Parks and Protected Areas Geographically Near Réserve naturelle régionale du récif fossile de Marchon - Christian Gourrat

Comparative proximity rankings order nearby protected areas by direct geographic separation from Réserve naturelle régionale du récif fossile de Marchon - Christian Gourrat. Country context and recorded environmental metrics provide structured signals for analyzing surrounding regional park geography.
A soft, light watercolor painting of a winding river flowing through a gentle, rolling landscape with trees and distant hills against a pale, warm sky.
Nature reserveAuvergne-Rhône-Alpes
About 16 km away#1 closest

Southeast

Réserve naturelle régionale de la galerie du Pont-des-Pierres Regional Nature Reserve

Protected gorge landscapes and underground habitats in France

An essential record of the Réserve naturelle régionale de la galerie du Pont-des-Pierres, detailing its critical role in safeguarding cliff and underground habitats within the Valserine gorges. This protected land in the Ain department represents a vital ecological intersection of geological features and specialized faunal refuges.

Area
0.093 km²
Established
2009
IUCN
IV
Relief
Mountain
A soft, panoramic watercolor illustration of rolling hills, mountains, and trees in pastel shades of green, yellow, and pink.
Nature reserveAuvergne-Rhône-Alpes
About 23 km away#2 closest

Southwest

Réserve naturelle nationale de la grotte de Hautecourt: Jura Mountain Cave Geography

Protected subterranean landscapes in the Ain department of France.

This nature reserve protects a complex underground environment characterized by a vertical 36-meter cave system and rich invertebrate biodiversity. Located on the flank of Mont Rosset in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, the area provides a crucial habitat that balances delicate subterranean passages with surface limestone ridges and dry grassland ecosystems.

Area
0.102 km²
Established
1980
IUCN
IV
Wildlife reserveBourgogne-Franche-Comté
About 23 km away#3 closest

Northeast

Tourbières et lacs de la montagne jurassienne: Mapping High-Altitude Wetlands and Glacial Landscapes

A vast protected wildlife reserve in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region

Covering more than 12,000 hectares, this wildlife reserve forms a crucial conservation benchmark for peatland and glacial lake systems in the Jura Massif. The landscape encompasses deep combes, broad plateaus, and clear-water basins like Lac de Saint-Point, providing a vital habitat mosaic for diverse flora and fauna across the French highlands.

Area
121.56 km²
Established
2021
Relief
Mountain
Climate
Temperate
A watercolor landscape painting showing green hills, trees, and marshy river banks.
Nature reserveGeneva
About 29 km away#4 closest

East

Naturschutzgebiet Moulin de Vert: Protected Wetland and Forest Geography in Geneva

Detailed nature reserve map and regional landscape context

The Naturschutzgebiet Moulin de Vert nature reserve protects a mosaic of riverside woodland, meadows, and managed pond systems along the Rhône in the Canton of Geneva. Spanning approximately 132 hectares, this conservation area is recognized for supporting extensive biodiversity, from nesting peregrine falcons to diverse amphibian populations. Access this detailed geographic perspective to visualize the park boundaries, internal terrain features, and its ecological connection to the broader Swiss river landscape.

Area
1.32 km²
Established
2001
IUCN
IV
A horizontal watercolor painting depicting a soft, layered landscape with distant hills, gentle slopes, and clusters of evergreen trees in shades of green and purple.
Nature reserveBourgogne-Franche-Comté
About 31 km away#5 closest

Northeast

Réserve naturelle régionale des tourbières du bief du Nanchez: Protected Jura Mountain Peatlands

Mapping bog systems and wet grassland geography in Eastern France

Located in the Jura department, this regional nature reserve preserves forty-nine hectares of vital peatland, including diverse mire communities and forested slopes. The site provides a critical look at montane landscape restoration, documenting significant bog flora and complex hydrological patterns along the Combe du Nanchez valley floor.

Area
0.488 km²
Established
2021
IUCN
IV
Relief
Upland
Nature reserveBourgogne-Franche-Comté
About 42 km away#6 closest

North

Réserve naturelle nationale de la grotte de Gravelle: Underground Protected Nature Reserve

A limestone cave sanctuary in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region

This protected area represents a specialized subterranean habitat in the French Jura, preserving essential maternity and hibernation roosts for eleven bat species. The reserve, set within forested limestone cliffs, remains a key node in the regional network of protected underground sites, emphasizing the conservation of fragile environments.

Area
0.014 km²
Established
1992
IUCN
IV
Relief
Upland
A soft watercolor illustration depicting rolling green hills, gentle slopes, and small clusters of trees against a light, neutral background.
Nature reserveBourgogne-Franche-Comté
About 44 km away#7 closest

North

Réserve naturelle régionale de la côte de Mancy: Protected Landscapes and Geography

Limestone escarpments and calcareous grasslands in eastern France

Delve into the geography of Réserve naturelle régionale de la côte de Mancy, a 49-hectare nature reserve in the Jura department. This site features Jurassic limestone cliffs, thin calcareous soils, and scrubby woodlands, documenting a rich intersection of habitats that preserve rare reptiles and diverse butterfly populations within the Revermont.

Area
0.492 km²
Established
2010
IUCN
IV
Relief
Upland
A soft, horizontal watercolor painting depicting a winding river flowing through a lush, green landscape with distant hills and sparse trees.
Nature reserveVaud
About 59 km away#8 closest

East

Chanivaz, Delta de l’Aubonne: Geography, Map, and Protected Landscape Context

A rare glacial geotope and river delta on Lake Geneva.

Chanivaz, Delta de l’Aubonne provides a rich look at the alluvial fan of the River Aubonne. Explore its layered terrace terrain, protected reedbeds, and riparian forests in the canton of Vaud, representing one of the best-preserved natural river mouths remaining on the northern shore of Lake Geneva.

Area
3 km²
Established
2003
Relief
Lowland
Climate
Temperate
Nature reserveAuvergne-Rhône-Alpes
About 62 km away#9 closest

South

Réserve naturelle régionale des étangs de Mépieu: Atlas and Geographic Protected Area Overview

Wetlands, peatlands, and dry grasslands in northern Isère

The Réserve naturelle régionale des étangs de Mépieu offers a striking study in ecological contrast. This protected landscape contains a dense mosaic of five ponds and marshy terrain set directly against sun-exposed dry grasslands and heathland slopes. The site serves as a vital corridor for migratory birds and rare flora within the rolling countryside of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.

Area
1.618 km²
Established
2008
IUCN
IV
Relief
Lowland
A horizontal watercolor painting depicting a gentle mountain silhouette behind a forested shoreline sloping toward the water.
Nature reserveFrance
About 62 km away#10 closest

Southeast

Roc de Chère Nature Reserve: Mapping the Botanical Diversity and Geological Features of Haute-Savoie

A protected alpine promontory bordering Lake Annecy

Roc de Chère stands as a distinct geological landmark where limestone and sandstone soils create sharp microclimate contrasts. This protected reserve provides a critical habitat for diverse plant species and rare dragonflies within a small, defined area of the French Alps. The site acts as a key element of the Lake Annecy landscape, offering insight into the post-glacial environmental history of the Savoie region through its protected cliffs and hollows.

Area
0.69 km²
Established
1977
Relief
Mountain
Climate
Temperate
A horizontal watercolor painting depicting a soft, impressionistic landscape with rolling green hills, pale yellow fields, and a sparse line of trees against a white background.
Nature reserveBourgogne-Franche-Comté
About 62 km away#11 closest

North

Réserve naturelle régionale des grottes de la côte de la Baume, Jura Regional Nature Reserve

Karst caves and cliff-slope forest geography in France

Located in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region, this nature reserve protects a vital network of karst caves and unmanaged scree-slope ash forests. The site represents a specialized conservation effort centered on cliff-side habitats and underground sanctuaries within the Jura limestone landscape.

Area
0.054 km²
Established
2017
IUCN
IV
Relief
Upland
A horizontal watercolor painting showing a soft, misty landscape with coniferous trees, grassy wetlands, and rolling hills in the background, executed in a muted color palette.
Nature reserveBourgogne-Franche-Comté
About 68 km away#12 closest

Northeast

Réserve naturelle régionale de la Seigne des Barbouillons Protected Landscape Atlas

Geography and wetland boundaries in the Jura plateau of France

The Réserve naturelle régionale de la Seigne des Barbouillons protects a characteristic raised bog ecosystem in the Mignovillard commune. This compact area serves as a vital reference point for understanding the distribution of sphagnum mires and specialized butterfly habitats across the Jura plateau, illustrating the contrast between protected peatlands and their surrounding agricultural environment.

Area
0.346 km²
Established
2014
IUCN
IV
Relief
Upland
A wide watercolor illustration showing a soft landscape with pink flowers on the left, green bushes and rocks on the right, and distant mountains across a misty valley.
Protected areaFrance
About 71 km away#13 closest

West

Site naturel protégé de la Boucherette: Protected Limestone Grasslands in Southern Burgundy

Calcareous habitat and botanical trail geography

Located in the Saône-et-Loire commune of Lugny, this 104-hectare protected area showcases a distinctive transition between limestone hills and the Saône valley. The site is recognized for its concentration of wild orchids and its integration of ecological conservation with the historical footprint of centuries-old stone quarrying and tile production.

Area
1.04 km²
Established
2000
Visitors
1K annual
Relief
Upland
A soft watercolor painting depicting a wide river flowing through a lush green landscape with distant rolling purple hills in the background.
Nature reserveAuvergne-Rhône-Alpes
About 74 km away#14 closest

South

Rhône du Pont de Groslée à Murs-et-Gélignieux: Alluvial Nature Reserve & River Geography

Protected riparian habitat in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France.

Analyze the complex fluvial dynamics of the Rhône du Pont de Groslée à Murs-et-Gélignieux nature reserve. This site features a well-preserved landscape of alder and ash floodplain forests, isolated side channels, and marshy meadows that provide an essential ecological corridor through the Rhône river valley.

Area
21.05 km²
Relief
Lowland
Scope
Terrestrial
Water
Water-dominated
A watercolor illustration of a landscape with green forest, wetland grasses, and pale mountains in the background, set against a clean white background.
Nature reserveBourgogne-Franche-Comté
About 74 km away#15 closest

Northeast

Réserve naturelle régionale des tourbières de Frasne-Bouverans Protected Landscape Atlas

Peatland mosaic geography in the Drugeon valley of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté

Trace the boundaries and ecological features of this significant regional nature reserve. Spanning the Forbonnet massif and the wider Drugeon basin, the area features a dense concentration of raised bogs, woodlands, and mire habitats defined by complex glacial geology.

Area
2.926 km²
Established
1986
IUCN
IV
Visitors
17.5K annual
A watercolor illustration showing a soft, panoramic view of a calm lake surrounded by gentle, rolling green mountains.
Nature reserveAuvergne-Rhône-Alpes
About 76 km away#16 closest

South

Réserve naturelle régionale du lac d'Aiguebelette: Protected Lake and Forest Geography

Regional nature reserve landscape in the Savoie Prealps

This protected area encompasses the glacial basin of Lake Aiguebelette and the forested slopes of the Montagne de l'Épine. Discover a terrain defined by the contrast between deep mountain water and upland ridgelines, representing a critical habitat and species management zone within the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.

Area
8.442 km²
Established
2015
IUCN
IV
Relief
Mountain
A soft watercolor painting of a wetland landscape featuring a central pond, surrounding reeds, and distant rolling hills in pale green and pink hues.
Nature reserveAuvergne-Rhône-Alpes
About 84 km away#17 closest

Southwest

Réserve naturelle régionale de l'étang de Saint-Bonnet: Wetland Atlas and Map Discovery

Examining protected wetland geography in the Isère department

This protected area centers on the étang de Saint-Bonnet, a wetland habitat defined by dense reedbeds and pond-centered ecosystems. It provides a distinct example of nature conservation situated between major urban corridors, showcasing how amphibians and diverse bird communities thrive within a small, managed lowland basin.

Area
0.514 km²
Established
1987
IUCN
IV
Relief
Lowland
Watercolor painting of a soft green alpine landscape with rolling hills, a central body of water, and evergreen trees against a light mountain background.
Nature reserveSavoie
About 86 km away#18 closest

Southeast

Réserve naturelle régionale de la tourbière des Saisies - Beaufortain - Val d'Arly Protected Area Map

High-altitude peatland geography in the Savoie department.

Investigate the complex topography and conservation significance of the Réserve naturelle régionale de la tourbière des Saisies - Beaufortain - Val d'Arly. This protected area stands as a unique alpine landmark, recognized for its subalpine boreal vegetation, rich bird populations, and critical role as a regional peatland sanctuary within the Savoie mountain range.

Area
2.93 km²
Established
2013
IUCN
IV
Watercolor painting of green hills and distant pale mountain peaks against a soft pinkish sky.
Nature reserveHaute-Savoie
About 96 km away#19 closest

East

Réserve naturelle nationale du Vallon de Bérard: Geography and Protected Alpine Terrain

High-altitude glacial valleys and crystalline peaks of Haute-Savoie

Situated in the heart of the Aiguilles Rouges massif, Réserve naturelle nationale du Vallon de Bérard preserves a compact mosaic of high-mountain ecosystems. From the Eau de Bérard torrent to the crystalline needles of Aiguille du Belvédère, the reserve provides a protected refuge for alpine species and a rare look at relict glacial landscapes within the French Alps.

Area
5.397 km²
Established
1992
IUCN
IV
Relief
Mountain
A horizontal watercolor painting depicting a soft-edged, green-and-white landscape of rolling hills and distant limestone ridgelines.
Nature reserveBourgogne-Franche-Comté
About 96 km away#20 closest

North

Réserve naturelle nationale du ravin de Valbois: Protected Jura Blind Valley and Limestone Ravines

Geographic landscape exploration of the Doubs department's protected natural reserve.

Spanning 235 hectares, this protected nature reserve in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté preserves a textbook Jura reculée. The terrain showcases vertical limestone cliffs, deep forested ravines, and a 40-meter cascade. As a hotspot for butterfly diversity and Mediterranean-montane vegetation, the area offers a significant study in microclimatic gradients and old-growth forest conservation within the French landscape.

Area
2.35 km²
Established
1983
IUCN
IV
Relief
Mountain
Distance methodology

Geographic measurements, not driving distances

How nearby park distances are calculated

Distances use park boundaries whenever the available geometry allows it. When one or both boundaries are missing, the mapped park locations provide a clearly labelled estimate. Every value represents straight-line geographic separation and does not use roads or routing.

Boundary distance

Calculated between the nearest points of both park boundaries.

Location-to-boundary estimate

Estimated from one mapped park location to the nearest boundary of the other park.

Mapped-location estimate

Estimated between the mapped locations of both parks.

MoriAtlas Explorer

Continue Exploring the Protected Landscapes of the Réserve naturelle régionale du récif fossile de Marchon

Deepen your understanding of this scientifically important French nature reserve. MoriAtlas provides structured geographic context and landscape insights into the fossilized Jurassic reef environments of the Ain department, helping you trace the geological heritage found within this unique forested locality.