High mountain granite peak at 3750 m above Chamonix, in the French Alps. The site dominates a glacial environment, with the Vallée Blanche-Mer de Glace to the Est and North. The site is made of two peaks: the Western peak is accessible by cable car, whereas the monitoring activities are performed on the Central peak.

The Vallon de Roche Noire is situated between the Col du Lautaret and the Col du Galibier, in the French Alps, and extends from 2300 m to more than 2800 m. The catchment is mainly covered by alpine meadows and is surrounded by flysch cliffs. It represents an almost undisturbed alpine pasture landscape.