This species is endemic to Europe in the central Pyrenees Mountains. It is assessed as Near Threatened (NT B1a) since although its extent of occurrence is little greater than 2,000 km², it occurs as a naturally severely fragmented population, and a number of plausible future threats have been identified, the population is probably largely stable at present and it may be less sensitive to the immediate impacts of climate change than related species in the same region.

This species is present in the central Pyrenees Mountains of France and Spain, from approximately the Pic d'Arriel range and Vallée d'Ossau in the west to the Vallée d'Aure in the east (Speybroeck et al. 2016). It ranges from 1,580 to 3,060 m asl. (Pottier 2016).

The species may be locally common in suitable habitat, being more abundant in subalpine habitats. It occurs in approximately 78 subpopulations, and estimates derived from 1 km² sampling plots in 2010 suggest that each contains 50-100 individuals (Pottier 2012). Genetic research has found that recently isolated subpopulations differ in genetic profile from similar subpopulations elsewhere (Pottier 2016), suggesting that the species is prone to rapid genetic isolation following habitat fragmentation. The population is therefore considered severely fragmented.

Annual survivorship appears to be high, and is estimated at between 65 and 86% in adults of both sexes (Pottier 2012). The population trend is presumed to be declining, but it is uncertain whether this decline is at a rate as high as 1% per year (Pottier 2012). In the Pyrenees in France no declines have been observed in recent years, based on long-term population monitoring (from the early 2000's) and altitudinal transects (in place from 2011 onwards) (P.A. Crochet pers. comm. October 2022).

This species is found in subalpine and alpine habitats - most commonly on rocky slopes, outcrops and similar areas - sometimes close to alpine meadows. It can be found on concrete or walls at the margins of anthropogenic areas, but only where there is adjoining natural habitat (Pottier 2016). The area inhabited by the three Pyrenean alpine species of this genus (Iberolacerta aranica, I. aurelioi and I. bonnali) has a mean temperature between -2 and 5 °C (generally below 3 °C - Pottier 2016), and a mean temperature of the coldest month of -10 °C or lower and maximum annual temperatures no greater than 20-25 °C (Arribas et al. 1998, 2010). Animals typically restrict daily activity to between 9:00 and 11:00 am, after which rock temperatures become too high (Pottier 2016). Animals are only active for around 6 months (Pottier 2016 notes 4-5), presumably due to strong climatic constraints at the high elevations to which the species is restricted (Pottier 2012). The start of the activity period is defined by snow melt, and so varies with elevation (Pottier 2016).

It is an egg-laying species; females lay a single clutch of 2-4 eggs between mid-June and mid-July, and related species are known to use the same oviposition sites for several years (Arribas and Galán 2005). Parasitic flies may partially destroy up to 25% of eggs (Pape and Arribas 2005). Skeletochronological data for I. aurelioi suggests that this is a very long-lived species, with a maximum age up to 17 years, and sexual maturity is reached at 4 (males) and 5 (females) years of age (Pottier 2012). This suggests the species exhibits a k-selection strategy (Pottier 2012), with low levels of recruitment that may hinder its ability to adapt to rapid environmental change.

It is likely that climate change represents the most significant threat to this species, strongly accelerating a decline in the availability of suitable habitat which has been ongoing more gradually since the last glaciation (Pottier 2012). This process is likely to increase vegetation cover and result in the gradual disappearance of the habitats on which the species depends (Pottier 2012). Based on temperature increases expected for France as a whole over the next century, Pottier (2016) project an upward shift in the elevations with suitable climatic conditions of more than 500 m over this period. It does however exhibit wider thermal tolerances than the other alpine Iberolacerta and is the most effective known thermoregulator among lacertid lizards, suggesting that it has a greater capacity to adapt to climate change than related species (Ortega et al. 2016). Nevertheless, this species is reliant on a relatively narrow temperature range and a low-oxygen environment not present at lower elevations (Gangloff et al. 2021). Experimental translocation to lower elevations suggests that it experiences reduced performance at least at a site below 500 m asl (Gangloff et al. 2021).

Climate change may also facilitate upslope displacement by the Wall Lizard (Podarcis muralis), a potential competitor (Pottier 2012). Due to its low fecundity and a life history strategy that depends on high annual survivorship the Pyrenean Wall Lizard is likely to be at elevated risk from any factors that increase mortality, such as epidemics or increased levels of predation (Pottier 2012).

Pastoralism has been ongoing within the species' range for millennia and is unlikely to pose a direct threat to the species unless accompanied by forms of intensification that destroy or degrade suitable habitat (such as track construction or use of chemical pollutants), but in the post-war period development has intensified at higher elevations (Pottier 2012). This includes building of roads and car parks, hydroelectric development and the establishment of ski resorts (Pottier 2012). In contrast to other species of rock lizards, however, the majority of this species' range occurs in protected areas (Pottier 2012).

This species is unlikely to be subject to any significant trade or collection, as these are nondescript small lizards with strict requirements that would be difficult to maintain in captivity (Pottier 2012). Nevertheless, its taxonomic distinctiveness and highly restricted distribution might result in some interest by specialist commercial collectors (Pottier 2012).

This species is listed on Appendix III of the Bern Convention. Its national protected status in France and Spain is unclear due to outdated taxonomy (treating all three species within "Archaeolacerta monticola"), and there is a need for this to be updated (Pottier 2012). In Spain it is present in the National Parks of Ordesa-Monte Perdido and Aigüestortes-Estany de Sant Maurici, the Biosphere Reserve of Ordesa-Viñamala), the Natural Park of Posets-Maladeta and a number of other protected areas. Hydroelectric development is extensive in the Pyrenees, and while completed dams appear not to represent a risk to the lizards (which can be found around them when habitats remain suitable), environmental impact assessments and maintenance activities should take account of this species' requirements to minimise any impact from construction (Pottier 2016).

As of Pottier (2012) conservation measures in place for this species were deemed inadequate, with the caveat that there remain high degrees of uncertainty surrounding rates of decline, the amount of suitable habitat needed to ensure the species' long-term viability, and the extent and degree of future impacts from identified threats. Subsequently, Ortega et al. (2016) described current measures in place to protect this species' habitat as "excellent". These authors recommend that these efforts continue, and that further research be undertaken into the impacts of climate change on this lizard.