Prefectural protection order and sampling authorization application form for the Valanginian, Hauterivian and Albian GSSP (Global Boundary Stratotype Sections and Point), and the Oxfordian chemoherms of Beauvoisin

Notice to the geological community – Prefectural protection order and sampling authorization application form implemented in the Drôme Department (France) for the Valanginian, Hauterivian and Albian stage-boundary stratotypes, and the Oxfordian chemoherms of Beauvoisin.

Prefectural protection order and sampling authorization application (FR/EN)

Albian GSSP, Col de Pré-Guittard section, Arnayon

Hauterivian GSSP, Serre de l'Âne section, La Charce

Valanginian GSSP, Vergol section, Montbrun-les-Bains

In 2016, 2019 and 2024, the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) ratified the GSSP of the Albian (Col de Pré-Guittard section, Arnayon municipality; Kennedy et al., 2017), the Hauterivian (Serre de l’Âne section, La Charce municipality; Mutterlose et al., 2021), and the Valanginian (Vergol section, Montbrun-les-Bains municipality; Reboulet et al., 2025), respectively, all located in the Provençal Drôme region. The golden spikes symbolically defining the bases of the Hauterivian and Albian stages were formally installed during the inauguration ceremony held on 29 June 2024 (a similar ceremony remains to be scheduled for the Valanginian). In recent years, the municipalities involved, the Drôme Department, the Baronnies Provençales Regional Natural Park, the Auvergne–Rhône-Alpes Region, and members of the scientific community (including researchers from the Lyon Geology Laboratory) have contributed to the development and promotion of these three sites. These partners subsequently emphasized the need to protect these global reference sections from degradation while ensuring that they remain accessible to the international scientific community for sampling and further research. It was also decided to include in this initiative the notable Oxfordian chemoherm site of Beauvoisin.

Accordingly, a prefectural protection order (site-listing order) covering the four sites was issued by the Drôme prefecture in April 2025. During spring 2026, the environmental unit of the Direction Départementale des Territoires (DDT) established an application form for authorization to collect rock and fossil samples for scientific purposes. As these two documents (available in both French and English) are now accessible (see links), a national and international information campaign is currently being undertaken. On-site information panels is also being prepared by the DDT.

In conclusion, any sampling activities at the reference geological sites of Montbrun-les-Bains, La Charce, Arnayon and Beauvoisin require prior authorization from the Drôme Department, which will be formally communicated to applicants through a prefectural order.

  • Sampling authorization application form implemented in the Drôme Department (France)

    The application must be submitted to the competent authority “Service Eaux Forêts Espaces Naturels de la DDT de la Drôme” at least four months prior to the planned sampling date.
    You may submit your application:
    – Either by email (preferred) to the following address :
    ddt-sefen@drome.gouv.fr
    – Or by post to the following address:
    Direction Départementale des Territoires (DDT) de la Drôme / Service Eaux Forêts Espaces Naturels
    4, place Laennec – BP 1013 – 26015 VALENCE CEDEX

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Prefectural protection order Montbrun-les-Bains map

Prefectural protection order La Charce map

Prefectural protection order Beauvoisin map

Prefectural protection order Arnayon map

References
Kennedy J.W., Gale A.S., Huber B.T., Petrizzo M.R., Bown P., Jenkyns H.C., 2017. The Global Boundary Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) for the base of the Albian Stage, of the Cretaceous, the Col de Pré-Guittard section, Arnayon, Drôme, France. Episodes, 40, 3, 177–188

Mutterlose J., Rawson P. F., Reboulet S., avec la contribution de Baudin F., Bulot L., Emmanuel L., Gardin S., Martinez M., Renard M., 2021. The Global Boundary Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) for the base of the Hauterivian Stage (Lower Cretaceous), La Charce, southeast France. Episodes, 44, 2, 129–150

Reboulet S., Company M., Adatte T., Aguado A., Baudin F., Deconinck J.-F., Duxbury S., de Gea G., Grabowski J., Granier B., Ivanova D., Janssen N.M.M., Klein J., Lakova I., Leng M.G., Lodowski D.G., Martinez M., Mattioli E., McArthur J.M., Olivero D., Reháková D., Tavera J.M., 2025. The Global Boundary Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) for the base of the Valanginian Stage, the Vergol section (Montbrun-les-Bains, Drôme, SE France) and its Standard Auxiliary Boundary Stratotype (SABS), Cañada Luenga section (Cehegín, SE Spain). Episodes, 48, 4, 479–563

Prefectural protection order and sampling authorization application (FR/EN)   Publication and protection on the Valanginian Boundary Stratotype Section and Point   The GSSP of the Valanginian stage: ratification made by the IUGS on 18 December 2024   GOLDEN SPIKE CEREMONY HAUTERIVIAN AND ALBIAN GSSP - June 29, 2024   LGL-TPE members involved in the laying of two new golden spikes!   GEOdiversité en France webzine N° 3 January 2025