The eastern slope, although it is sometimes considered to extend to the Galibier and Télégraphe passes and therefore including the Arves massif, is limited by the Arvan and Ferrand rivers.

[1] The Eau d'Olle rivers and therefore the Belledonne range to the west, and Romanche and the Écrins massif to the south form its other geographical limits.

The Grandes Rousses massif is a crystalline geological formation similar to the nearby Belledonne range.

[2] These depressions, likely synclines or grabens, are filled with coal-bearing lands, some of which show Triassic deposits lying at 90 degrees.

[3] Located in the commune of Huez at an altitude of over 1,800 meters, Brandes-en-Oisans once had up to 80 buildings centered around a church.