Where to photograph the Col des Montets, the Vallon de Bérard, and Vallorcine?
Published on July 24, 2026
The Col des Montets, Tré-le-Champ, Vallorcine, and the Vallon de Bérard make up the most narrative side of the Aiguilles Rouges. The landscape unfolds in stages: forest, boulders, stream, waterfall, larches, refuges, and openings to high peaks.
This sector complements the grand balconies facing Mont-Blanc. It is less dependent on a perfect reflection or panorama and remains interesting under cloudy skies, in the mist, or in autumn.
This guide complements our pillar page Where to photograph the Aiguilles Rouges? and the guide to Lac Blanc and Chéserys.
Key takeaway: The north of the Aiguilles Rouges is less about a single panorama. The Col des Montets, Tré-le-Champ, and the Vallon de Bérard allow for a narrative progression: forest, stream, waterfall, larches, alpine pastures, and an opening to the high peaks.
The Essentials in 30 Seconds
- Col des Montets: Gateway to the reserve and starting point for Chéserys and Lac Blanc.
- Tré-le-Champ: Forest, boulders, trails, and progressive views towards Les Drus.
- Bérard Waterfall: Short, official, and accessible outing, about 1.8 km and 50 minutes round trip.
- Pierre à Bérard: Hike along the stream, larch forest, gorges, and refuge.
- Vallon de Bérard Reserve: 540 hectares, from the stream to the Col de Salenton and Aiguille du Belvédère.
- Best light: Humid morning, autumn, overcast sky, and clearings in the valley.
- Lenses: 24–70 mm for the stream and 70–200 mm for openings to the peaks.
- Vigilance: Wet rocks, footbridges, fog, and reserve regulations.
Col des Montets, Bérard, or Vallorcine: Which sector to choose?
| Sector | Ambiance | Access | Light | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Col des Montets | Pass, reserve, views towards Argentière and high-altitude departures | Road and trails | Morning, autumn, changing weather | Narrative start and first views |
| Tré-le-Champ | Forest, boulders, and progressive opening | Hike towards Chéserys / Tête aux Vents | Mist, light filtering through trees | Trail and atmosphere |
| Bérard Waterfall | Stream, footbridge, gorge, and forest | About 1.8 km, 93 m elevation gain, 50 min | Overcast weather, after moderate rain | Moving water and short outing |
| Vallon de Bérard | Larches, stream, plateaus, and refuge | Longer hike from Le Buet | Morning, autumn, structured sky | Wild valley reportage |
| Vallorcine | Village, meadows, and border reliefs | Train and road access | Morning, snow, autumn | Inhabited landscape and transitions |
Col des Montets and Tré-le-Champ
The Col des Montets marks the passage between Argentière and Vallorcine. It is a starting point for Chéserys, Lac Blanc, and Tête aux Vents, but it also has its own interest: meadows, rocks, a reserve, and views towards the Mont-Blanc massif.
From Tré-le-Champ, the ascent crosses the forest and boulders before the views open up. Keep your camera accessible. Trail scenes, rays of light through the trees, and the first glimpses of Les Drus tell the story of the ascent better than a single final image.
Photographing the progression
Build a sequence: dark forest, boulder or footbridge, first opening, then panorama. This logic provides editorial coherence and avoids repeating the framing of the Lac Blanc guide.
Autumn at the pass
The larches and grasses provide a warmer palette. In overcast weather, the colors remain nuanced; harsh sunlight can create difficult contrasts between the forest and the peaks.
Bérard Waterfall: Working with moving water
The Bérard waterfall is a short and accessible outing from Le Buet. The official route is advertised as easy, approximately 1.8 km, with 93 m of elevation gain and 50 minutes round trip. This accessibility allows for returning in different lighting conditions.
The footbridge and facilities provide secure viewpoints. Do not cross the barriers to seek a lower angle: the wet rocks and the power of the stream make the area dangerous.
Slow speed or textured water?
An exposure from 1/4 to 1 second softens the water while retaining some of its force. Very long exposures can transform the stream into a uniform white surface. Also take a faster image to capture splashes.
Managing contrasts
The gorge remains dark while the water reflects the sky. Expose for highlights and control the histogram. A polarizer reduces reflections on the rocks, but can make the scene too dull if pushed to the maximum.
Consult the official Bérard waterfall trail before your outing.
The valley and the Pierre à Bérard refuge
Beyond the waterfall, the trail follows the Eau de Bérard upstream. It crosses a larch forest, a steep gorge, then several plateaus before reaching the refuge nestled under a large rock outcrop.
The valley allows for alternating photographs of the stream, forest, footbridges, plateaus, and relief. It works particularly well when clouds obscure some of the peaks: the light becomes localized and the eye focuses on details.
The refuge as a point of scale
The building can provide a sense of scale to the valley. Photograph it without disturbing the refuge's activity and without considering its surroundings as a private set. A person on the trail can also be enough to give scale.
Stream and larches
In early autumn, the larches echo the colors of the grasses. Look for compositions where the stream forms a diagonal. A standard focal length is often more effective than an ultra-wide angle, which distorts the banks.
The official page of the Pierre à Bérard describes the progression from Le Buet and reminds visitors that trail conditions should be checked.
Photographing Vallorcine and Le Buet
Vallorcine brings an inhabited dimension to the guide. Meadows, chalets, the railway, larches, and border reliefs tell the story of a valley different from Chamonix. The image can embrace this human presence rather than trying to hide it.
In the morning, shadows linger in the valley while the ridges receive light. With a telephoto lens, houses and slopes overlap. In winter, tracks and road lines structure the landscape, but travel conditions must remain a priority.
Using the train and existing paths
Le Buet station and the train allow for an approach without multiplying cars. Photographically, tracks and structures must be treated with caution: never enter railway property and only use authorized crossings.
Forest, stream, and details: Moving beyond the panorama
Larches
The tree trunks create a vertical rhythm. Work with a 70–200 mm lens to reduce clutter and isolate a few trees in the mist.
Wet rocks
A polarizing filter can reveal the colors of mosses. Leave some reflections to maintain volume and avoid over-saturating the greens.
Stream
Look for a curve or a diagonal rather than a frontal view. An intermediate shutter speed preserves energy.
Low clouds
When the peaks disappear, the forest edges and walls become layers. Underexpose slightly to preserve the atmosphere without blocking the shadows.
Light and seasons
Spring
The stream flow increases, and vegetation resumes growth. Snow may persist on high-altitude routes.
Summer
Trails are more accessible, but thunderstorms and crowds require an early start.
Autumn
This is the richest season for the forest and Vallorcine. Larches, mists, and early snowfalls offer several levels of color.
Winter
The waterfall and valley can become icy. An easy summer walk can turn into a delicate route; check local conditions.
Composition and equipment
- 24–70 mm: stream, footbridges, forest, and village.
- 70–200 mm: larches, peaks, valley details, and Vallorcine compression.
- Tripod: useful at the waterfall and in the forest, to be set up without blocking the path.
- Polarizing filter: precious on wet rocks and water, but to be used with moderation.
- Rain protection: essential for working around the stream and after bad weather.
The northern part of the massif is suitable for series. Alternate a general view, two material details, and a human scene rather than looking for a single spectacular panorama.
Building a photo series in the Vallon de Bérard
The Vallon de Bérard works better as a narrative than as a collection of panoramas. The light, relief, and vegetation change progressively from Le Buet to the upper plateaus. A coherent series can show this transition without trying to make every stop a spectacular image.
Start with a contextual image: station, meadow, first bridge, or trail entrance. At the waterfall, work with the movement of water and the contrasts of the gorge. In the forest, narrow the frame to isolate the larches, wet rocks, and sunbeams. When the valley opens up, finally introduce the high relief and the refuge.
Varying scales
Alternate a wide landscape, a material detail, a human scene, and a telephoto shot. This variety avoids the repetitive effect created by a succession of streams photographed with the same slow shutter speed. It also makes the reportage more faithful: the valley is at once water, forest, path, refuge, and high mountain.
Photographing under an overcast sky
The diffuse light is particularly suitable for the forest and the waterfall. It reduces the contrasts between the water and the rocks and preserves the colors of the mosses. When the clouds rise, watch for openings towards the ridges: a short clearing can be enough to provide a conclusion to the series.
Mistakes to avoid
- transforming all waterfalls into a white veil with excessively long exposures;
- placing a tripod in the middle of a footbridge or narrow passage;
- descending onto wet rocks beyond the protective barriers;
- relying on the refuge without checking its opening hours and reception conditions;
- continuing in dense fog without reliable landmarks simply to reach a planned point.
Choosing a terrain plan adapted to the weather
The sector allows for easy adaptation of the outing's ambition. Under cloudy skies or after moderate rain, the waterfall and forest offer nearby subjects. When visibility is good, the Col des Montets and the open parts of the valley become more interesting. In case of dense fog, stick to a known and short route.
Prepare two accessible focal lengths without emptying your bag: a standard zoom for the stream and a telephoto lens for the larches and openings to the peaks. A rapid change of light in the valley does not always allow time to set up complex equipment.
Managing the schedule
The forest loses light earlier than the ridges. Start with wide scenes and save slow waterfall exposures for the end, when the light naturally becomes softer. This logic avoids using a very dense filter in the middle of the day and simplifies the return journey.
Reserve, bivouac, and safety
The Vallon de Bérard Nature Reserve covers approximately 540 hectares, from the stream to the Col de Salenton and the Aiguille du Belvédère. It protects sensitive environments and applies specific regulations.
Between June 1st and September 30th, bivouacking is regulated in the Vallon de Bérard, as in the Aiguilles Rouges and Carlaveyron reserves. Consult the prefectural regulations for 2026 and make the mandatory reservation when the project falls within authorized areas.
Dogs, fires, waste, disturbances, and overflights are prohibited or regulated. Around the water, stay on footbridges and paths. Fog and snow can make orientation difficult beyond the waterfall.
Discover the north of the Chamonix valley in photo prints
Discover the landscapes of Argentière, Les Drus, and the Aiguilles Rouges in our collection of Aiguilles Rouges photo prints.
FAQ: Col des Montets, Bérard, and Vallorcine
Is the Bérard waterfall accessible?
The official route is classified as easy and short under favorable conditions. Rocks and footbridges remain slippery in wet or cold weather.
Can one continue to the refuge?
Yes, by taking a longer hike along the stream. Conditions and the opening of the refuge should be checked.
Which sector to choose in autumn?
The Bérard valley and Vallorcine offer the most varied larches, mists, and colors.
Can one bivouac freely in the valley?
No. Reservations and authorized areas apply during the regulated period.
Which focal length is most useful?
A 24–70 mm is sufficient for the stream and forest; a 70–200 mm complements the work on the peaks and larches.