Regulations in Natural Areas
Every site and every natural area has its own unique characteristics.
To preserve and protect them, and to balance the various uses of natural areas, permanent or temporary regulations may apply to certain sectors.
In addition to the information provided in the overview of the “Discover” section at (including links to the websites of the nature reserves, which detail all applicable regulations and decrees), you’ll find below the regulations in effect for certain specific topics, such as camping or swimming.
At the bottom of the page, a link will also take you to the ordinances concerning trails.
This is to help everyone better understand the rules that apply to each area.
Nature Reserves - Camping and Swimming
Camping
In the three national nature reserves of the Chamonix Valley (Carlaveyron, Aiguilles Rouges, and Vallon de Bérard), camping is regulated by a prefectural decree to limit its impact on natural habitats and wildlife.
Permitted only in certain designated areas, it requires advance reservation through the dedicated platform set up by Asters, the nature reserve manager.
Swimming and Water Activities
Swimming and water sports are also prohibited in certain sensitive lakes in order to preserve these fragile ecosystems:
Lac Blanc
The Chéserys Lakes
See the prefectural decree—Nature Reserves of the Chamonix-Mont-Blanc Valley
Municipal Regulations
Camping
Chamonix
By municipal ordinance, camping and caravanning have been prohibited outside of designated campsites throughout the municipality of Chamonix since 1992.
Only high-altitude camping is permitted between sunset and sunrise.
In the Aiguilles Rouges massif (map attached), camping has been regulated since 2024 by a prefectural ordinance from June through September (ordinance attached). It is mandatory to reserve a spot on the dedicated website before going to bivouac in one of the nature reserves of the Aiguilles Rouges massif (Carlaveyon, Aiguilles Rouges, and the Bérard Valley).
Furthermore, year-round, in certain clearly defined areas, camping is strictly prohibited:
- Lac Blanc
- Blaitière Alpine Pastures
- Col des Posettes area
- In the APHN sector, which regulates access to the summit of Mont Blanc, from the Col du Mont Lachat to the bergschrund of Mont Blanc du Tacul.
See the Municipal Ordinance - Chamonix
Vallorcine
In addition to the prefectural ordinance cited above, which regulates camping—particularly in the nature reserves of the Vallon de Bérard and the Aiguilles Rouges— bivouacking in the municipality of Vallorcine has been regulated since 2024 by Ordinance No. 34/2024:
- Art. 1: Wild camping and campfires are strictly prohibited both day and night throughout the entire municipal territory.
- Art. 2: Bivouacking outside nature reserves is permitted under the following conditions: setting up a tent or a makeshift campsite with the landowner’s permission for one night, from 7:00 p.m. at the earliest until 9:00 a.m. the following morning at the latest. Above an altitude of 1,700 meters, camping is automatically permitted.
See the Municipal Ordinance - Vallorcine
Les Houches
In the absence of a specific ordinance (other than the prefectural ordinance cited above, which also applies to the Carlaveyron Nature Reserve), camping is tolerated from sunset to sunrise, for one night.
Furthermore, year-round, in certain well-defined areas, camping is strictly prohibited:
Montagne de Chailloux (from the mountain pasture to the summit of the Aiguillette des Houches).
Swimming and water sports
Chamonix
Please note that swimming and water sports are prohibited in Lac Blanc and the Chéserys Lakes by prefectural decree.
Servoz
Given the ecological fragility of mountain lakes and to preserve biotopes, wildlife, flora, and natural habitats, the Servoz town hall has issued an ordinance regulating access to mountain lakes located within the municipal boundaries, notably Lake Pormenaz.
Pursuant to the order dated June 26, 2026, the following provisions apply:
- Access to the water is strictly prohibited, including for pets.
- Water sports, athletic activities, and recreational activities are strictly prohibited on the mountain lakes.
- Access to the island in Lake Pormenaz is strictly prohibited.
Other municipal regulations
Chamonix
Ban on Advertising in the High Mountains
By municipal ordinance dated June 15, 2026, the municipality of Chamonix-Mont-Blanc prohibits all promotional or commercial advertising on high-mountain peaks.
This measure, adopted in accordance with the provisions of the Environmental Code, specifically Article L. 581-4, aims to preserve the peaks from any advertising presence.
It applies during the summer season, from June 1 to September 15, 2026.
Regulations Governing the Parking of Recreational Vehicles (RVs, Trailers, and V.A.S.P.s)
In response to the influx of tourists and to preserve the quality of life and the valley’s natural areas, the Chamonix-Mont-Blanc City Council has issued an ordinance regulating the parking of recreational vehicles within the municipal boundaries.
Pursuant to the ordinance of August 5, 2026, overnight parking is now prohibited from May 1 through October 31 in natural areas, wooded areas, and on all public roads and parking lots within the municipality:
- Downtown: all public parking lots (Gare, Allobroges, Courmayeur, Corzolet, etc.).
- Les Bossons & Les Pèlerins: train stations, Clairière, Place des Séracs, Les Gaillands.
- Les Praz & Les Bois: Golf parking lot, Ravanel, train station, and Route des Lacs.
- Argentière: Les Grands Montets, Village Square, school, FIS, and Rue Charlet Straton.
- Upper Valley: Les Tines, Les Grassonnets, Les Chosalets, Le Planet, Montroc, Le Tour
Trails - Construction and Safety
Regulations concerning the trails in the Chamonix Valley (construction, safety, rockfalls, etc.) are centralized and regularly updated by La Chamoniarde, which serves as the local authority on mountain safety. There you will find both temporary and permanent regulations.