The Vultures of Rémuzat

The Vultures of Rémuzat

The Eygues River tumbles through a narrow gorge south through wooded countryside to the charming medieval village of Rémuzat, in the Drome department north of Vaucluse (southern France).A village with a distinct Provencale feel, Rémuzat is reached by the using the 994 between Nyons and Serres and it it is well worth stopping on this road to experience superb views of Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus) which breed in the working quarry close to the roadside.
In 1991, Griffon Vultures were reintroduced to the towering Rocher du Caire (pictured above) and were so successful that in 2002 a second reintroduction scheme was launched, this time for Black Vulture. Then to everyone's delight both species were joined by the long absent Egyptian Vulture.Subsequently it is now possible to see three of Europe's four vultures in one place (all this from the comfort of outside tables at Bar- Hôtel - Resto BAUDOIN). Situated virtually next door is the local tourist information centre with a small exhibition dedicated to the vultures and from here one can obtain local maps showing the route to the top of Rocher du Caire, via St. May. This experience is not to be missed as the path up to the summit passes through beautiful subalpine meadows ( home to Ortolan bunting ) and once at this height it is possible to witness the vultures from above !
Click here for location map..

Vulture Watching in Rémuzat

Permanent exhibition on the re-introduction of wild vultures to Rémuzat. 15 minute video. Also open in the school holidays - autumn/winter/spring and weekend entry.
MAISON DES VAUTOURS
Place du Champ de Mars
26510 REMUZAT
Tel : 04 75 27 85 71- Fax : 04 75 27 85 71

Click here to e-mail the Rémuzat tourist information centre

Dates of opening : From 01/04/2003 To 15/09/2003
From 10.00 To 12.00 And from 14.00 To 17.00
Adults prices : Gratuit / Childrens : Gratuit
Adults Groups : Gratuit / Childrens : Gratuit

EU comes to aid of Egyptian Vultures
05-01-2005

A European Union (EU) Life-Nature project is supporting the recovery of Egyptian Vultures Neophron percnopterus in south-east France.

Unlike the population in the French Pyrenees, which has remained stable at around 58 pairs, Egyptian Vultures in the south-east of France have declined by more than 59% in the last 50 years. Just 16 pairs were left by 2003. Now the Ligue pour la Protection de Nature (LPO, BirdLife in France) is overseeing conservation efforts that include establishing vulture feeding stations, or “restaurants”, to reverse the species’s decline in three areas: Provence- Alpes-Cote d’Azur, Rhone-Alpes and Languedoc-Roussillon. Similar restaurants have been successfully employed in the reintroduction of Cinereous Aegypius monachus and Griffon Vultures Gyps fulvus to other parts of the country (see World Birdwatch 25(2): pp.26–28).

LPO is co-ordinating the programme nationally, alongside EU environment team members and Ecosphere, who oversee Life-Nature projects in France. Five local organisations are in charge of implementing action plans, working closely with two scientific bodies who deal with biological studies and veterinary analysis.

In addition to supplementary feeding, the vultures will be closely monitored to assess breeding success, prevent nest site disturbance, and study the birds’ ecology, habitat preferences and the threats they face. Running alongside is a public campaign to raise awareness of the birds and their conservation needs.