Champ-Pittet – in the kingdom of the water birds
A wetland of international note which is unique in Switzerland in terms of its unspoiled natural beauty can be found on the southern shore of Lake Neuchâtel. Numerous nature trails are also provided for visitors in the Champ-Pittet nature reserve.
The Champ-Pittet nature reserve is near Yverdon on the southern shore of Lake Neuchâtel. The area, which is 40 hectares in size, is home to over 200 species of water bird, 70 of which also breed there. Visitors can use one of the many nature trails provided to obtain information about the plants and animals.
The entire 40-kilometre-long southern shore of Lake Neuchâtel is characterized by valuable reed belts, ponds, flat bogs, sedges (Cyperaceae) and wetland forests. The Grande Cariçaie – the name given to the entire lakeshore area – has been included in the Ramsar Convention List of Wetlands of International Importance since 1990.
The name Grande Cariçaie originates from the most common plant found here, the tufted sedge (carex elata), which is known as le grand carex in French. The area provides habitats for over 1,000 plant species and almost 10,000 animal species.
This lakeshore of outstanding natural beauty, which is unique in Switzerland, was created as a result of the first correction of the Jura waters (1868 – 1891). At the time, the lake water level was reduced by over two metres and its surface contracted by almost 24 km2.
The entire 40-kilometre-long southern shore of Lake Neuchâtel is characterized by valuable reed belts, ponds, flat bogs, sedges (Cyperaceae) and wetland forests. The Grande Cariçaie – the name given to the entire lakeshore area – has been included in the Ramsar Convention List of Wetlands of International Importance since 1990.
The name Grande Cariçaie originates from the most common plant found here, the tufted sedge (carex elata), which is known as le grand carex in French. The area provides habitats for over 1,000 plant species and almost 10,000 animal species.
This lakeshore of outstanding natural beauty, which is unique in Switzerland, was created as a result of the first correction of the Jura waters (1868 – 1891). At the time, the lake water level was reduced by over two metres and its surface contracted by almost 24 km2.
Nature reserves and landscape protection areas
A large part of this area is listed, inter alia, in the following federal inventories:
Other links
A large part of this area is listed, inter alia, in the following federal inventories:
- Federal Inventory of Landscape and Natural Monuments of National Importance (BLN object no 1208 “Rive sud du lac de Neuchâtel”)
More - Inventory of Mire Landscapes (Object no 416 “Grande Cariçaie”)
More - Inventory of Alluvial Zones (Object no 202 “Les Grèves d’Yverdon-Yvonand”)
More - Interactive map browser displaying the object included in the BLN (available in German and French)
More
Other links
- All of the federal Swiss inventories can be displayed on an interactive map using this map browser (available in German and French)
More - Detailed information on the effects of outdoor sport and leisure activities on nature (available in German and French)
More - Information on the Pro Natura Centre in Champ-Pittet
More - Detailed information on Grande Cariçaie
More - Historical overview of the Jura waters correction (in German and French)
More
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