Ichtyosaure de la Mélaie
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The Ichthyosaure de la Mélaie is a 4m long, 107 million year old fossilized marine reptile that lived in the time of the dinosaurs. It bears witness to a time when water covered the land. Departure of the hike from the village of Chanolles.
The characteristics of the route.
Prads-Haute-Bléone (04)
- Distance 5.1 km
- Elevation gain 430 m
- Elevation lost 430 m
- Min. elevation 968 m
- Max. elevation. 1287 m
- Duration (depending on pace) 2h30
- Suivre le balisage Yes
In the shade of Cheval Blanc, the strata of black marl offer a lunar landscape. A shingle hut houses the fossil, alongside mountain flora and fauna. The crossing of La Mélaie is an original hike, taking both chamois and men's trails.
In the early 2000s, the very fragmentary skeleton of an ichthyosaur was discovered in the marls of the Lower Cretaceous. This skeleton was preserved on site and protected. It is one of the last representatives of this family which died out before the end of the Cretaceous.
In the early 2000s, the very fragmentary skeleton of an ichthyosaur was discovered in the marls of the Lower Cretaceous. This skeleton was preserved on site and protected. It is one of the last representatives of this family which died out before the end of the Cretaceous.
Area : Digne-les-Bains
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The 2025/10/27
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2025/10/27 Jouf
2025/10/27 Jouf
Information updated on 2025-04-03 by Office de Tourisme Provence Alpes Digne les Bains
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Provence Alpes Outdoor - Parcours - Ichtyosaure de la Mélaie
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