International audienceThis article proposes to show how changes in the boundaries, the deletion of nature reserves and the resulting compensation, or their absorption into the heart of a national park, illustrate the construction and mark the process of social acceptance of the latter. In the context of the national nature reserves in the mountains (Haute-Savoie, Savoie, Isère, Hautes-Alpes), uses that are difficult to reconcile lead to a review of the limits or even the very existence of the protection perimeters and reflect the arrangements made with them and with the space by the various decision-makers. A reflection on the notion of contiguity and gateway allows us to think about their different strategies of articulation with areas equ...