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This article aims at determining the extent of the environmental reflexivity made manifest in Bernardin de Saint- Pierre’s works. I show that Bernardin’s prevailing stance is a form of “ecological awareness”: he proved hostile and fearful of man’s alterations to nature as he felt these might undermine the harmonies that make up nature. The ambiguities of Bernardin’s environmental reflexivity are then highlighted : despite being mostly reserved and suspicious regarding human power over nature, he also intermittently displayed moments of enthusiasm and incredulity. I will suggest a comparison with Buffon’s environmental reflexivity which also displays an ambiguity that echoes that of Bernardin : his mostly enthusiastic position about the growing human impact on nature was counterbalanced by two other stances, one of fear, the other of incredulity. Such a parallel ambiguity for both authors points to a conclusion of a common hesitating and timid environmental take. Neither were certain of the efficacy of men’s power over nature, or of the need to adopt a specific position about such power.