Où photographier le plateau d’Emparis, le lac Lérié et le lac Noir ? - Tableaux photo Alpes ｜ Alu Art Mountains

Where to photograph the Emparis plateau, Lake Lérié, and Lake Noir?

Updated July 8, 2026

The Emparis plateau, Lake Lérié, and Lake Noir form one of the most photogenic areas in the Écrins for capturing reflections of La Meije. From Le Chazelet, Besse-en-Oisans, or Mizoën, the plateau offers a very different ambiance from the glacial valleys of Pré de Madame Carle or La Grave: vast high-altitude expanses, meadows, lakes, gentle lines, pastoralism, morning silence, and a spectacular panoramic view of La Meije, le Râteau, and the glaciers.

This page is a detailed photo guide to prepare for an outing around the Emparis plateau, Lake Lérié, and Lake Noir. The goal is not just to reach the lakes, but to understand how to create a strong image: when to visit for calm reflections, where to place La Meije in the composition, how to manage the wind, how to use the shorelines, and how to avoid a too "postcard-like" image despite a well-known setting.

As a mountain photographer since 2017, I find this area essential in the Écrins mini-cluster because it offers a more contemplative perspective of the massif. Here, the power of La Meije is softened by the water, the lines of the plateau, and the symmetry of the reflections. You can find some of this work in my collection of La Meije and La Grave photo prints, printed on aluminum Dibond.

Reflection of La Meije and le Râteau on Lake Lérié on the Emparis plateau
At Lake Lérié, La Meije and le Râteau rest in the calm water: a naturally graphic composition, between reflections, glaciers, and the gentle lines of the Emparis plateau.

The Essentials in 30 Seconds

  • Main Subject: reflections of La Meije, le Râteau, and glaciers in Lake Lérié and Lake Noir.
  • Best Photo Spots: Lake Lérié, Lake Noir, Col du Souchet, plateau shores, views towards La Meije and the Girose Glacier.
  • Best Ambiance: calm dawn, blue hour, windless morning, autumn, slightly overcast sky, or golden light.
  • Best Focal Length: 16–35 mm for wide compositions with reflections, 24–70 mm for balancing lake, shore, and summit.
  • Best Season: summer for access, autumn for low light, warmer colors, and often more pleasant visitor numbers.
  • Key Tip: reflections mainly depend on the wind. Arrive early, compose simply, and accept that a partial reflection can be more subtle than a perfect mirror.

Table of Contents

Why Photograph the Emparis Plateau?

The Emparis plateau is a very strong location for photography because it transforms La Meije. From La Grave, the summit often appears frontal, dark, and dramatic. From Emparis, it becomes more distant, more balanced, almost silent. The lakes introduce a sense of breath, symmetry, and softness not found in the more mineral areas of the massif.

Lake Lérié and Lake Noir are particularly interesting because they allow for a complete composition: foreground shoreline, calm water, reflection, horizon line, La Meije, le Râteau, glaciers, and sky. The landscape is naturally structured, making it very suitable for a panoramic wall print or an elegant alpine decor image.

The trap, however, is to produce too obvious an image. The reflection of La Meije is well-known, so one must seek an intention: very soft light, an original shoreline, a partial reflection, a minimalist sky, a tighter crop, a subtle silhouette, or an autumn atmosphere. The place is spectacular, but the image only becomes strong if it remains legible.

Practical Summary of Photo Spots

Area Photographic Interest Best Light Useful Focal Lengths To Prioritize
Lake Lérié Reflection of La Meije, mirror composition, clear shoreline Dawn, blue hour, windless morning 16–35 mm, 24–70 mm Symmetry, reflection, horizontal composition
Lake Noir View of La Meije, darker ambiance, shoreline lines Calm morning, overcast sky, soft late afternoon 16–35 mm, 24–70 mm Shoreline, dark water, contrast with glaciers
Col du Souchet Passage point, wide view, reading of the plateau Morning, lateral light 24–70 mm, 70–200 mm Successive planes, alpine pastures, ridges
Plateau shores Meadows, rocks, ponds, soft lines, and pastoralism Morning, autumn, changing sky 24–70 mm Simple foregrounds and depth
View towards La Meije Iconic summit, le Râteau, glaciers, Écrins panorama Dawn, sunset, after disturbance 24–70 mm, 70–200 mm Compression, glacier detail, relief
Emparis plateau Open ambiance, pastoralism, vast expanses Autumn, morning, soft light 24–70 mm Minimalism, curves, breathing room

Access from Le Chazelet, Besse-en-Oisans, and Mizoën

The Emparis plateau can be reached from several access points. On the La Grave side, starting from Le Chazelet is one of the most classic ways to reach Lake Noir and Lake Lérié. It allows for a gradual ascent towards the plateau with an increasingly open view of La Meije and its glaciers.

From Besse-en-Oisans or Mizoën, the approach offers a different perspective of the plateau, more oriented towards Oisans / Ferrand valley. These accesses can be interesting if you are looking for a traverse, a longer loop, or a less frontal approach to La Meije. The choice mainly depends on your skill level, available time, desired light, and your photographic objective.

For a photographer, the real question is not just "how to get up," but "what time to be at the lake." If you want a calm reflection, dawn is often much more rewarding than midday. In July and August, visitor numbers can be high: leaving early allows you to enjoy both better photo conditions and a quieter plateau.

Useful Official Links Before Your Trip

Photographing Lake Lérié

Lake Lérié is probably the most obvious subject on the plateau for photography. Its strength comes from its position facing La Meije and le Râteau, with a waterline that allows for a very horizontal composition. When there is no wind, the lake becomes a mirror; when the water moves slightly, the reflection distorts and creates a softer image.

The best approach is to look for a simple shoreline. Too many rocks, too much grass, or too many foreground details can hinder readability. A good composition at Lake Lérié often relies on four elements: a clear shoreline, a band of water, the reflection, and then La Meije and the glaciers in the background.

Photo Tips for Lake Lérié

  • Arrive early to maximize chances of calm water.
  • Keep the horizon perfectly straight: the slightest tilt is immediately noticeable in a reflection.
  • Avoid cropping the reflection too abruptly if the symmetry is beautiful.
  • Use a 24–70 mm lens if a wide-angle makes La Meije too small.
  • With a clear sky, reduce the sky's prominence and give more importance to the water.
  • Also try tight crops on a portion of the reflection, without showing everything.

My Field Advice

On an alpine lake, the most important factor is not always the sky color: it's the wind. Average light with perfectly calm water can create a better image than a spectacular sunrise with a broken reflection. Arrive early, observe the ripples on the water, then choose your shoreline based on the actual reflection, not the image you had imagined.

Photographing Lake Noir

Lake Noir offers a slightly different ambiance. It may seem less obvious than Lake Lérié, but it provides a darker, deeper, and sometimes more graphic interpretation. Its shorelines, color variations, and position facing the glaciers allow for images that are less "perfect mirror" but more atmospheric.

Lake Noir is interesting when the sky is more changeable, when clouds alter the light on La Meije, or when the water takes on a denser hue. It works very well if you are looking for a simpler, less touristy image, with more texture in the water and on the shores.

Photo Tips for Lake Noir

  • Look for shoreline lines to guide the eye towards La Meije.
  • Use a medium focal length to keep the lake present without making the summits appear too distant.
  • On a cloudy day, wait for a break in the clouds to illuminate the glaciers.
  • Don't force symmetry if the reflection is weak: focus on the ambiance instead.
  • Observe the water colors, which can become a subject in themselves.

Achieving La Meije Reflections

Reflections are the main reason many photographers come to the Emparis plateau. But a successful reflection is not just "calm water + summit." You need to build the image: where to place the horizon, how much sky to keep, what proportion to give to the reflection, whether to include a shoreline or seek complete symmetry.

Perfect symmetry works very well if the sky is simple and La Meije stands out clearly. But a partial reflection can sometimes be more elegant: a slight ripple, a portion of the summit, a band of light, a shoreline that breaks the symmetry. This creates a less expected, more personal image.

Photo Tips for Reflections

  • Arrive before sunrise: the wind is often weaker early in the morning.
  • Activate the electronic level or take the time to correct the horizon.
  • Try a centered composition if the reflection is perfect, but shift if the symmetry is too obvious.
  • Maintain sufficient depth of field if you include rocks in the foreground.
  • Don't over-saturate: reflections should remain natural.
  • A tripod helps with precise composition, even without a long exposure.

To delve deeper into this topic, also consult the technical guide on photographing alpine reflections and mountain lakes.

Composing with La Meije, le Râteau, and Glaciers

From the Emparis plateau, La Meije and le Râteau form a very strong background. The risk is simply placing them in the center of the frame, without relation to the rest of the image. To avoid this, use the elements of the plateau: lake, shoreline, rock, grass, small pond, ridge line, cloud, or light area.

La Meije can also be photographed with a telephoto lens from certain points on the plateau. This allows you to move beyond the classic reflection image and create a more graphic interpretation: ridges, glaciers, contrasts of rock and snow, details in the crests. In this case, the plateau becomes less of a foreground and more of a viewpoint.

Tips for La Meije from Emparis

  • Use the shoreline as a compositional base.
  • Avoid placing all summits at the same level: look for successive planes.
  • With a telephoto lens, isolate the glaciers if the sky is too empty.
  • In overcast weather, prioritize rock and snow textures.
  • In autumn, incorporate the colors of the plateau to warm up the image.
Reflection of La Meije on Lake Goléon in the Écrins, comparison with reflections on the Emparis plateau
Lake Goléon offers another interpretation of La Meije's reflections: closer to La Grave, more pastel, but with the same logic of calm, horizontal, alpine composition.

Bivouac, Dawn, and Blue Hour

The Emparis plateau is particularly interesting at dawn and during the blue hour. This is when the water is most likely to be calm, the light remains soft, and compositions become more serene. For a photographer, sleeping on site or nearby can therefore completely change the quality of the images.

However, bivouacking should not be improvised. The plateau is a fragile natural site, with protected areas, pastoralism, herds, guard dogs, and high visitor numbers at certain times. It is essential to check the regulations in force, respect prohibited areas, not make fires, leave nothing behind, and remain discreet.

The good photo compromise: prepare the evening shot, locate the shoreline for the next day, then return to the same spot before dawn. This way, you avoid searching for your composition in the dark at the last minute.

Best Times to Photograph the Emparis Plateau

Dawn

Dawn is the best time for reflections. The light remains soft, the wind can be weak, visitor numbers are limited, and La Meije gradually emerges in a calm atmosphere. This is the most rewarding time if your main objective is Lake Lérié or Lake Noir.

Morning

The morning remains very good if the wind doesn't pick up too quickly. The shores become more defined, the colors of the plateau emerge, and the lakes sometimes retain a beautiful surface. It's also more comfortable for varying compositions around the two lakes.

Late afternoon

The late afternoon can be very beautiful, but it's less guaranteed for reflections if there's wind. It works well for wide views, warm colors, ridge silhouettes, and more contemplative compositions of the plateau.

Autumn

Autumn is an excellent time to photograph Emparis: lower light, warmer colors, a calmer atmosphere, and often more defined relief. The plateau becomes more graphic, less green, and visually softer.

After a disturbance

After a disturbance, residual clouds can add a lot of depth to La Meije and the glaciers. Reflections may be imperfect, but the atmosphere often becomes stronger than with a completely blue sky.

Photo composition ideas

1. Perfect symmetry at Lake Lérié

Place the horizon in the center if the reflection is perfectly clear. This composition works best with a simple sky and very calm water.

2. Diagonal shore

Use a shoreline to guide the eye towards La Meije. This is often more dynamic than pure symmetry.

3. Partial reflection

Don't necessarily seek the perfect mirror. A slightly broken reflection can create a more sensitive and less expected image.

4. Darker Lac Noir

At Lac Noir, aim for a deeper atmosphere: dark water, veiled sky, clear glaciers, simple shore.

5. Telephoto on La Meije

From the plateau, use a 70–200 mm lens to isolate the ridges, glaciers, and areas of light on La Meije.

6. Small pond or secondary foreground

The plateau contains many lines, ponds, and gentle relief. A well-placed small element can create a more original image than the classic framing of the large lakes.

7. Discreet silhouette

A silhouette can provide scale, but it should remain secondary. In a reflection image, too much human presence quickly disrupts the serenity.

What camera gear to bring?

  • 16–35 mm: useful for large reflections, close-up shores, and very open horizontal compositions.
  • 24–70 mm: the most versatile focal length for balancing lake, shore, plateau, and peaks.
  • 70–200 mm: useful for isolating La Meije, le Râteau, the glaciers, and details of light.
  • Tripod: recommended at dawn, during the blue hour, and for precise reflection compositions.
  • Polarizing filter: use with caution: it can remove a reflection you are specifically trying to keep.
  • ND filter: rarely indispensable, but possible if you want to slightly smooth the water without losing its natural look.
  • Headlamp: essential for early morning starts or late returns.
  • Warm clothing: even in summer, waiting by the lakes can be cold at sunrise.
  • Appropriate mountain gear: sturdy shoes, water, map, weather forecast, rain protection, and equipment according to the chosen itinerary.

Regulations and safety

The Emparis plateau is a fragile natural, pastoral area that is very popular during certain periods. It should not be treated as a simple photo spot. Regulations may concern bivouacking, protected areas, dogs, swimming, fires, waste management, fauna, flora, and respect for herds.

Before you go, check official information: weather, trail conditions, snow cover, Natura 2000 rules, bivouacking regulations, presence of herds, guard dogs, and access conditions from Le Chazelet, Besse-en-Oisans, or Mizoën.

Bivouacking may be prohibited in certain protected areas of the plateau and only tolerated elsewhere under strict conditions. Swimming may also be prohibited to protect aquatic environments. Therefore, do not assume that "alpine lake" means total freedom: check the rules before your outing.

The right photo reflex: remain discreet, do not trample fragile banks, do not approach herds for a composition, leave no trace, and abandon an image if it involves disturbing a sensitive environment.

Photo prints related to the Emparis plateau, La Meije, and the Écrins lakes

The Emparis plateau is very strong in wall decor because it combines several rare qualities: reflection, alpine lake, iconic peak, glaciers, soft light, horizontal composition, and a peaceful atmosphere. The photographs below directly extend the atmosphere of this outing.

See in the gallery

You can also explore:

Continue your exploration of the Écrins

To prepare for other photo outings in the massif, you can continue with the other guides in the Écrins mini-cluster:

FAQ — Photographing the Emparis plateau, Lake Lérié, and Lac Noir

Where to photograph La Meije from the Emparis plateau?

The best areas are Lake Lérié, Lac Noir, the Col du Souchet, and the open shores of the plateau. These points allow you to compose with La Meije, le Râteau, the glaciers, the lakes, and their reflections.

What is the best time to photograph Lake Lérié?

Dawn is often the best time, as the wind is weaker, the light is softer, and there are fewer people. It is also the most favorable time to get a calm reflection of La Meije.

Is Lac Noir as interesting as Lake Lérié?

Yes. Lac Noir offers a different, often darker and more atmospheric ambiance. It is interesting for its shores, contrasts, views towards the glaciers, and compositions that are less obvious than the classic mirror of Lake Lérié.

Which focal length to use for photographing La Meije's reflections?

A 16–35 mm lens is useful for large reflections and wide compositions. A 24–70 mm lens is often more balanced to keep La Meije present without making it too distant. A 70–200 mm lens allows isolating the peaks and glaciers.

Can you bivouac on the Emparis plateau?

Bivouacking is regulated. It may be prohibited in certain protected areas and only tolerated elsewhere under strict conditions. It is necessary to check official rules before planning an overnight stay.

What is the best season to photograph the Emparis plateau?

Summer makes access easier, but autumn is often very interesting for the lower light, warmer colors, a calmer atmosphere, and more elegant compositions.

Are dogs allowed on the Emparis plateau?

Rules may vary by area, but dogs must at least be kept on a leash to respect biodiversity and pastoral activity. Official guidelines should be checked before going out.

Does this page replace the guide on La Meije from La Grave?

No. This page focuses on the Emparis plateau, Lake Lérié, Lac Noir, and reflections. The guide on La Meije from La Grave and Lautaret covers the north face, glaciers, larches, hamlets, and viewpoints more extensively.

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