The system of national parks in France consists of nine parks located both in European France and its overseas territories. The parks are managed by a government agency, the French National Parks Authority (French Parcs Nationaux de France). Parks cover 2% of European France; they are visited by 7 million people a year.
France also has a structure for regional nature parks, introduced by law on March 1, 1967. Regional nature parks are established by agreement between local authorities and the central government, and their territory is revised every 10 years. As of 2009, there are 49 regional natural parks in France.
Guadeloupe National Park covers 173 square kilometers. This park was formed in 1989 on the huge French island of Guadeloupe. The protected areas of the park occupy almost the entire island, in particular, its central part.
The Port Cros National Park is located in France southeast of Toulon, on the Port Cros Island, which is part of the Hyères Islands, and the adjacent waters. It was created in 1963 to preserve the nature of the Hyères Islands.
On the border with Spain in the western part of the Pyrenees mountain range is the Pyrenees National Park. In terms of the diversity of flora and fauna, it is considered one of the richest in France: 150 species of plants, 1000 beetles, three hundred all kinds of butterflies, golden eagles, vultures,
The Seven National Park (Parc national des Cevennes) lies in the mountainous regions of the south of the country. Mountain system The Cévennes is part of the Massif Central and one of the oldest in Europe. Therefore, these ancient landscapes with an amazing network of heavily weathered mountains
Vanoise National Park is the first national park in France. It was founded in 1963. The reason for the creation of the park was the threat of complete extermination of stone goats in this area. Definitely, Vanoise can be called the main national park of France.
National Park Guyana Amazonia (fr. Parc amazonien de Guyane) - the largest national park in France, located in French Guiana. The area of the park is 33.9 thousand square kilometers. Formed on February 27, 2007. No roads lead to the park
National parks France occupies almost 9% of its area (about 48 720 sq. Km), and these are only large protected areas. Characteristic feature organization of the French environmental system is a network of nearly fifty regional parks and hundreds of small protected areas that complement large reserves, which occupy a total of another 7% of the country's territory, which forms one of the largest ecological zones in Western Europe. At the same time, the French reserves for the most part are not purely natural zones in the usual sense - active tourism is actively developing on their territory, there are many historical monuments and objects cultural heritage, agricultural zones and forestry. Therefore, it is not surprising that the share of protected areas accounts for up to 10% of foreign visitors. By the way, the French themselves are much more active in this regard - up to 23% of domestic tourism to one degree or another falls on reserves.
Mercantour
National Park Mercantour (Parc National du Mercantour) occupies the mountain range of the same name with an area of about 685 sq. km in the northern part of the Alpes-Maritimes department, on the border with Italy. Founded in 1979 around the highest point of the region - Mount Gelas (Mont Gelas, Cime du Gelas, 3143 m) and the Vallee des Merveilles ("Valley of Wonders", included in the list of historical monuments in France), in a short time it turned into one of the largest nature reserves in Europe, attracting the attention of tourists with a whole set of natural and historical sites. The flora of the park is unique - there are more than 2 thousand plant species (including 54% of the species of flowering plants in France), 25 endemics and about two hundred endangered species. Animal world It is also diverse - about 70 species of mammals and 76 species of birds, and near the town of Saint-Martin-Vesubie there is the only Alpha wolf reserve in the country. Since 1987, Mercantour has been merged with the Italian Argentera National Park, further expanding the areas of many unique plants and animals. Moreover, in the seven central valleys - Roya (Roya, Roya), Bevera (Bevera), Vesubie (Vesubie), Tine (Tinee), Upper Var (Haut Var, this is already the department of Alpes-Maritimes), Verdon (Verdon) and Yube (Ubaye) , on Russian maps for some reason it is designated as Ibay) - almost three dozen picturesque mountain villages with unique architecture that have absorbed both French and Italian traditions are hidden. But the hallmark of the park is the Mervey Valley (the upper part of the Roya Valley) lying at the foot of Mount Bego (Mt. Bego, 2872 m), in which more than 37 thousand rock paintings have been discovered dating back to the 2nd millennium BC. NS. (The good Mervey Museum in the town of Tende is dedicated to the same monument).
Approximately 240 km of carefully designed and marked hiking trails have been laid through the park, and climbers will find many interesting rocks for themselves in the mountains of Bego, Monje, Pelat and Mouton.
By car, the national park can be reached from any city on the Côte d'Azur via Monaco and Nice.
Port-Cros
The National Park of Port-Cros (Parc national de Port-Cros) occupies part of the territory of the Iles d "Hyeres" southeast of Toulon. Together with the Botanical Reserve of the island of Porquerolles, the park covers about 10 square kilometers of land and about 80 kilometers of water. the first marine reserve in Europe (founded in 1963), specializing in the protection of the unique ecosystems of the dry Mediterranean islands and adjacent waters.Access to the reserve is limited (5,000 visitors daily to Porquerolles and 1,500 to Port Cros), especially in summer when the risk of fire is high, but a network of hiking trails that pass by ruined forts and a handful of buildings around Port Cros, through thick, hard-leaved shrubs, lavender and heather fields that are nesting places for seabirds, and along the shores of picturesque small beaches allow get to know in a short time amazing nature these places.
The island of Porquerolles offers scenic views from the old lighthouse (open from June to September, from 11.00 to 12.00 and from 2.30 to 4.30 pm) and the cliffs surrounding it, rather exotic hiking trails along coastal cliffs, through moorlands and dry maquis as well as a visit to the Mediterranean botanical garden Le-Amo (Le Hameau). Here you can also swim in the sea or relax on the pine-lined beaches of Notre Dame (the longest on the island, located 3 km northeast of the village of Porquerolles, just in front of the fence that occupies the entire northern section military base) or Arzhent (1 km west of the port), as well as snorkeling among the coastal cliffs inhabited by myriads of living creatures both under water and above its level.
You can get to the reserve by ferries from Toulon and Le Lavandou, as well as by tourist boats from any port of the Côte d'Azur.
Vanoise
National Park Vanoise (Parc national de la Vanoise) was founded on July 6, 1963, being the very first nature reserve of this level in France. It covers about 1250 sq. km of the mountain range of the same name, located in the southeastern part of the department of Savoy, between the Isère river in the north, the Italian border in the east, the Mont Cenis pass in the southeast and the length of the Arc in the southwest. The central zone of the park, which occupies the highest mountainous regions of Vanoise, 5 small local parks, is very strictly guarded - almost 80% of its territory is inaccessible for visiting, which, however, does not greatly upset the ordinary tourist, since quite serious mountaineering training is required to move around these mountains. It is this "core" of the park that prompted the establishment of the reserve, since the largest population of stone goats (Capra ibex) in France lives here. And the same reason served to unite the territory with the Italian reserve Gran Paradiso (founded in 1922), which lies in the spurs of the mountain of the same name. As a result, it was possible not only to stabilize the number of this rare animal (at the moment - more than 2,000 individuals, that is, a third of all living in the country), but also to support the conservation of many other rare mountain plants and animals, which turned Vanoise and Gran Paradiso to one of the most authentic areas in Europe. A specially designated peripheral zone of the park is open to the public and unites 28 colorful mountain towns. On this territory, not only scrupulous nature conservation activities are carried out (suffice it to say that the number of protected plant species here is three times higher than in the central zone of the park, and in total more than a thousand species of flowering plants live here), but all possible active species recreation. In addition to observing 125 species of birds, 70 species of animals and 340 species of insects, here you can go in for skiing (almost along the border of the park there are such famous resorts like Trois-Vallee, La Plagne, Val d'Isere and Tignes), rafting, kayaking and mountaineering, visit numerous waterfalls and caves, see the marble rocks of Lac Blanc Polset and the Roc de la Peche fossils, Pierre aux Pieds megaliths and petroglyphs Vanoise or commit hiking by the most scenic spots area.
The National Park can be reached by car from any town in Savoy through the Maurienne Valley (motorway A43) and the Arc (Arc, D902) enveloping the park from the south and through Moutiers, the Vanoise and Isere valleys from the north (Highways N90 and 902). You can also take a train to Modane (Arcs Valley) and Bourg-Saint-Maurice (Ysere Valley) and then take a bus up the mountains. The nearest airports are Chambery, Grenoble-Saint-Geoire (Grenoble), Lyon-Satolas (Lyon) and Geneve (Geneva).
Ekrins
The Ecrins National Park (Parc national des Ecrins) lies on the border of the Isère and Hautes Alps departments, within the Dauphine Alps (Alpes du Dauphine), the Duppelvo massif and the Ecrins peak (4102 m). This mountain reserve is 918 sq. km was founded in 1973 to protect a vast area of pine and oak forests, alpine meadows and heathlands. But the main decoration of the park is the abundance of glacial landforms - numerous glaciers, circuses, lakes, troughs and kars, as well as narrow valleys of rivers born in glaciers cut through this mountain range. At the same time, Ecrins is considered the highest mountainous region of France, with the exception of Mont Blanc, of course. In the northern part of the massif there are peaks Ecrins (Barre des Ecrins, 4102 m), Mont Pelvoux (Mont Pelvoux, 3946 m) and La Meige (La Meije, 3983 m), and the total number of "three thousand meters" here exceeds a hundred.
There are six separate reserves on the territory of the park that protect local natural complexes, but are united by a common management and control system. The nature of the park is interesting primarily for its pronounced altitudinal zonation. A stunning variety of views can be seen at the foot of the majestic peaks mixed forests and alpine meadows, beautiful mountain lakes and rivers, the air over which literally trembles from a myriad of insects and birds. But as you climb, the picture changes rapidly, and already on the passes you can find only mosses and lichens - and all this is literally on the one and a half to two kilometers route. At the same time, the nature of the highlands can hardly be called scarce - there are about fifty species of wild animals, about 300 species of plants and 56 species of insects, and the species diversity is even higher at the foothills.
The surrounding valleys of the Romanche, Guisane, Durance and Drac provide excellent opportunities for exploring the colorful local culture as well as active rest... In the highlands, there are about a hundred climbing routes, and a network (total length of about 1000 km) of relatively simple hiking trails running from the pass to the pass is broken around.
The park's information offices are located in the towns of Le Bourg-d "Oisans and Vallouise, through which the most optimal routes for a trip to the mountains pass.
Keira
Regional nature Park Keira (Parc naturel regional du Queyras, founded in 1977) is not one of the largest reserves in the country, but due to its climatic conditions and richness of nature, it is considered one of the best mountain reserves in Europe. Situated in the spurs of the Cotta Alps, between Briancon and the Italian border, it stands out from its more famous neighbors for its colorful combination of alpine nature with more distinct Mediterranean features. Here dense forests are replaced by extensive thickets of stiff-leaved shrubs, green alpine meadows - by mountain wastelands, and steep slopes of peaks - by relatively gentle limestone massifs, which makes this territory one of the richest in both the abundance of living creatures and the variety of landscapes. At the same time, access to all areas of the park is completely free, and the abundance of small mountain villages provides good conditions for both accommodation and acquaintance with the local culture.
The reserve covers about 2300 hectares at altitudes from 1800 to 3300 meters, stretching along the valley of the Gil River to the Viso Mountain (Monte Viso, Monviso, 3841 m) located in the Italian territory - the highest in the Cotta Alps. Alpine flora (800 species of plants alone!) And fauna (about 120 animal species) are extremely diverse here, and the numerous villages of the valley are popular, albeit small, ski resorts in winter, while in summer they provide excellent opportunities for hiking and horse excursions in the mountains.
The easiest way to get to the reserve is to take the A51 motorway from Marseille (238 km distance) via Guillestre or via Briançon on the A43 motorway from Grenoble. However, it should be borne in mind that many passes from October to May are either covered with snow or difficult to pass for ordinary vehicles (this is especially true for the Col Izoard - Col Agnel section).
Pyrene
The Pyrenees National Park (Parc national des Pyrenees, founded in 1967) stretches for almost 100 km along the Spanish border. It covers almost 460 sq. km of the Hautes-Pyrenees and Atlantean Pyrenees departments, and together with the adjoining French nature reserve of the Pyrenees Occidentales (Parc national des Pyrenees Occidentales) and the Spanish national parks of Ordesa and Monte Perdido (included in the List of the World natural heritage UNESCO) forms a huge protected area that occupies almost half of the Central Pyrenees. Moreover, these regions are interesting not only for their unique natural conditions and wildlife, but also the easy accessibility of the territory and the abundance of historical monuments.
The foothills of the Pyrenees are covered with dense beech and poplar forests, above there is a zone of mixed forests inhabited by a large number of animals (about 70 species of mammals only!), Further stretches a strip of dry mountain wastelands and desert areas. On the territory of the reserves, 400 km of pedestrian, horse and ecological trails of all categories of difficulty, high-altitude areas are attractive for climbers - it is here that highest point region - Vinmal mountain (3298 m) and 14 "two-thousanders", the famous glacial circuses of Gavarnie (Joverny) and Tryumuz, about 200 lakes, as well as one of the highest waterfalls in Europe - the Great Gavarnie cascade (height 422 m). But no less interest among tourists is usually caused by the historical sights of the region, primarily located almost in the center of the park, ancient Lourdes - one of the most important centers of religious pilgrimage in Western Europe, as well as numerous fortresses and picturesque mountain villages.
The park's information centers are located in Tarbes, Etsaut, Cauterets, Luz-Saint-Sauveur, Gavarnie, Laruns and Arrens. You can get to the park by air via Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyrenees Airport and Pau-Pyrenees Airport or by railroad(SNCF Bayonne-Toulouse line) via Tarbes. You can also use road transport (highways N 85, 234 and 70), which is especially convenient for transit trips to Spain and to remote mountain regions.
Seven
The Seven National Park (Parc national des Cevennes) lies in the mountainous regions of the south of the country. The Cévennes mountain system is part of the Massif Central and one of the oldest in Europe. Therefore, these ancient landscapes with an amazing network of highly weathered mountains have one of the most unusual natural complexes on the continent, famous for many relict life forms. At the same time, it is one of the most ancient areas of human habitation, so in 1970 a national park was created to protect the landscapes, flora, fauna and architectural heritage of the Cévennes, which occupies almost the entire southern part Department of Lozere and North western part Department of Gard. In accordance with the French nature conservation system, the park is divided into two areas - the central reserved zone (zone centrale), in which all kinds of economic activity, and the peripheral zone, which contains many historical settlements and which is open to all comers.
It is home to about 2,250 plant species, with big variety climate (there are areas with oceanic, continental and Mediterranean types), chemical composition soils and a serious difference in elevation (from 378 to 1699 m) allow representatives of different natural areas... The alpine meadows of Mont Loser (the highest point of the park, 1702 m) give way to peat bogs and lifeless mountain wastelands, steppes and meadows stretch along the western slopes, while the rocky protected valleys of the southern slopes are covered with rich subtropical vegetation, picturesque beech, chestnut and oak forests ( approximately 58,047 hectares of forest - the largest forest area in the south of the country). Of the 400 species of flora protected in France, 33 are represented in the park, plus 48 more local varieties and more than a hundred species of rare plants are under protection, which is especially surprising when you consider that almost all the slopes of the outer zone are freely used for grazing.
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Nature reserves and parks of the country occupy about 9% of its total area. Nature reserves, national parks form one of the largest ecological zones in Europe.
One of the most famous is the Mercantour National Park. The territory of the park is occupied by the mountain range of the same name. Its area is about 685 sq. Km. Over the years, Mercantour has become the largest park in Europe. There are about 2,000 plant species in the park. The fauna is just as diverse. It is home to about 70 species of mammals, 76 species of birds.
Not far from the small town of Saint-Martin-Vesuby there is a wolf reserve called "Alpha".
Port Cros National Park is located in the southeast of Toulon. It is the very first marine flora and fauna reserve in Europe. It was founded in 1963. The reserve specializes in the protection of the ecosystems of the islands and the waters adjacent to them. Only 5,000 visitors a day can enter the reserve. Ferries from Toulon and Le Lavandou run to the reserve.
The next major national park in France is Vanoise. It dates back to 1963. Its area is about 1250 sq. Km. mountain range. The center of the park is located on the very high level... About 80% of the park is closed to the public. It is very strictly guarded. The park is home to the largest population of stone goats. The park is united with the Italian Gran Paradiso nature reserve. Thanks to the work of the reserve, the number of these rare animals has stabilized.
The Ecrins National Park is located on the border of the Hautes-Alps and the Isère department. This reserve was established in 1973 with the aim of protecting oak and pine forests, as well as alpine meadows. The reserve is extraordinarily beautiful. On its territory there are glaciers, lakes, glacial landforms.
The next natural park in France is Keira, founded in 1977. This is a mountain reserve located in the spurs of the Kott Alps. On the territory of the park beautiful nature, the landscapes are closer to the Mediterranean type. Dense forests, green meadows and slopes of mountain peaks. The entire territory of the park is accessible for visiting. You can also stay here in one of the mountain villages, which are very numerous in this area.
Near the Spanish border is the Pyrenees Nature Reserve. Its area is about 460 sq. Km. This area is unique for its animals and flora... There are also many historical monuments in the park. You can get to the park by air or by rail. Vehicles go to remote areas.
In the south of France, in the mountainous regions, there is the Seven National Park. The park was created to protect local unique landscapes and representatives of flora and fauna. The park is divided into two zones. One area is closed and the other is for visits.
There are about 2,200 plant species in the park. The local landscape is also unique. Alpine meadows coexist with peat bogs and mountain wastelands, dense forests of beech, oak and chestnut trees turn into steppes on the slopes. The fauna of the park is also rich, there are about 2400 species of animals. Some species have long disappeared from all over Europe and live only in this area.
The park has bicycle and walking paths, and water routes have been developed.
The park is easily accessible as there are major highways nearby.
There is a network of regional natural parks in France.
The most famous is the Camargue Nature Reserve. Its area is about 81,780 hectares. Flamingos and herons nest in the park. There are about 300 bird species in the park. The park has a unique juniper forest. The juniper itself grows up to seven meters high, with a trunk diameter of 50 centimeters. Also, about 300 species of mammals are registered in the park.
National parks of France occupy almost 9% of its area (about 48 720 sq. Km), and these are only large protected areas. A characteristic feature of the organization of the French environmental system is a network of nearly fifty regional parks and hundreds of small protected areas that complement large reserves, which occupy a total of another 7% of the country's territory, which forms one of the largest ecological zones in Western Europe. At the same time, the French reserves for the most part are not purely natural zones in the usual sense - active tourism is actively developing on their territory, there are many historical monuments and cultural heritage sites, agricultural zones and forestries. Therefore, it is not surprising that the share of protected areas accounts for up to 10% of foreign visitors. By the way, the French themselves are much more active in this regard - up to 23% of domestic tourism to one degree or another falls on reserves.
Mercantour
National Park Mercantour www.parc-mercantour.com (Parc National du Mercantour) occupies the mountain range of the same name with an area of about 685 sq. km in the northern part of the Alpes-Maritimes department, on the border with Italy. Founded in 1979 around the highest point of the region - Mount Gelas (Mont Gelas, Cime du Gelas, 3143 m) and the Mervei Valley (Vallee des Merveilles - "Valley of Wonders", included in the list of historical monuments in France), in a short time it turned into one of the largest nature reserves in Europe, attracting the attention of tourists with a whole set of natural and historical sites.
The flora of the park is unique - there are more than 2 thousand plant species (including 54% of the species of flowering plants in France), 25 endemics and about two hundred endangered species. The fauna is also diverse - about 70 species of mammals and 76 species of birds, and near the town of Saint-Martin-Vesubie there is the only Alpha wolf reserve in the country www.alpha-loup.com. Since 1987, Mercantour has been merged with the Italian Argentera National Park, which further expands the habitats of many unique plants and animals. Moreover, in the seven central valleys - Roya (Roya, Roya), Bevera (Bevera), Vesubie (Vesubie), Tine (Tinee), Upper Var (this is already the department of Alpes-Maritimes), Verdon (Verdon) and Yube (Ubaye) , for some reason it is designated as Ibay on Russian maps) - there are almost three dozen picturesque mountain villages with a unique architecture that has absorbed both French and Italian traditions. But the hallmark of the park is the Mervey Valley (the upper part of the Roya Valley) lying at the foot of Mount Bego (Mt. Bego, 2872 m), in which more than 37 thousand rock paintings have been discovered dating back to the 2nd millennium BC. NS. (The good Mervey Museum in the town of Tende is dedicated to the same monument).
Approximately 240 km of carefully designed and marked hiking trails have been laid through the park, and climbers will find many interesting rocks for themselves in the mountains of Bego, Monje, Pelat and Mouton.
By car, the national park can be reached from any city on the Côte d'Azur via Monaco and Nice.
Port-Cros
Port-Cros National Park www.portcrosparcnational.fr/ (Parc national de Port-Cros) occupies part of the Iles d "Hyeres" southeast of Toulon. Together with the Porquerolles Island Botanical Reserve, the park covers about 10 square kilometers of land and about 80 km of water area This is the first marine reserve in Europe (founded in 1963), specializing in the protection of the unique ecosystems of the dry Mediterranean islands and adjacent waters.Access to the reserve is limited (5,000 visitors daily to Porquerolles and 1,500 to Port Cros ), especially during the summer, when the risk of fire is high, but a network of hiking trails that pass by ruined forts and a handful of buildings around Port Cros, through thick, stiff bush groves, lavender and heather fields that serve as nesting sites for seabirds, and the shores of picturesque small beaches allow you to get acquainted with the amazing nature of these places in a short time.
The island of Porquerolles offers scenic views from the old lighthouse (open from June to September, from 11.00 to 12.00 and from 2.30 to 4.30 pm) and the cliffs surrounding it, rather exotic hiking trails along coastal cliffs, through moorlands and dry maquis , as well as a visit to the Mediterranean Botanical Garden of Le Hameau. Here you can also swim in the sea or relax on the pine-lined beaches of Notre Dame (the longest on the island, located 3 km northeast of the village of Porquerolles, just in front of the fence that occupies the entire northern section of the military base) or Argent (1 km west port), and also snorkel among the coastal cliffs inhabited by myriads of living creatures both underwater and above its level.
You can get to the reserve by ferries from Toulon and Le Lavandou, as well as by tourist boats from any port of the Côte d'Azur.
Vanoise
Vanoise National Park www.vanoise.com (Parc national de la Vanoise) was founded on July 6, 1963, being the very first nature reserve of this level in France. It covers about 1250 sq. km of the mountain range of the same name, located in the southeastern part of the department of Savoy, between the Isère river in the north, the Italian border in the east, the Mont Cenis pass in the southeast and the length of the Arc in the southwest. The central zone of the park, which occupies the highest mountainous regions of Vanoise, 5 small local parks, is very strictly guarded - almost 80% of its territory is inaccessible for visiting, which, however, does not greatly upset the ordinary tourist, since quite serious mountaineering training is required to move around these mountains. It is this "core" of the park that prompted the establishment of the reserve, since the largest population of stone goats (Capra ibex) in France lives here. And the same reason served to unite the territory with the Italian reserve Gran Paradiso (founded in 1922), which lies in the spurs of the mountain of the same name. As a result, it was possible not only to stabilize the number of this rare animal (at the moment - more than 2,000 individuals, that is, a third of all living in the country), but also to support the conservation of many other rare mountain plants and animals, which turned Vanoise and Gran Paradiso to one of the most authentic areas in Europe.
A specially designated peripheral zone of the park is open to the public and unites 28 colorful mountain towns. On this territory, not only scrupulous nature conservation activities are carried out (suffice it to say that the number of protected plant species here is three times higher than in the central zone of the park, and more than a thousand species of flowering plants live here in total), but all possible active types of recreation are developing. In addition to observing 125 species of birds, 70 species of animals and 340 species of insects, here you can go in for downhill skiing (practically along the border of the park lie such famous resorts as Trois Vallee, La Plagne, Val d'Isere and Tignes), rafting, kayaking and mountaineering, visit numerous waterfalls and caves, see the marble cliffs of the Lac Blanc Polset and the Roc de la Peche fossils, the Pierre aux Pieds megaliths and the Vanoise petroglyphs, or hike through some of the area's most scenic spots.
The National Park can be reached by car from any city in Savoy through the Maurienne Valley (motorway A43) and the Arc (Arc, D902) that envelopes the park from the south and through Moutiers, the Vanoise and Ysere valleys from the north (Highways N90 and 902). You can also take a train to Modane (Arcs Valley) and Bourg-Saint-Maurice (Ysere Valley) and then take a bus up the mountains. The nearest airports are Chambery, Grenoble-Saint-Geoire (Grenoble), Lyon-Satolas (Lyon) and Geneve (Geneva).
Ekrins
Ecrins National Park www.les-ecrins-parc-national.fr (Parc national des Ecrins) lies on the border of the Isère and Hautes-Alpes, within the Dauphine Alps (Alpes du Dauphine), the Duppelvo massif and the Ecrins peak (4102 m ). This mountain reserve is 918 sq. km was founded in 1973 to protect a vast area of pine and oak forests, alpine meadows and heathlands. But the main decoration of the park is the abundance of glacial landforms - numerous glaciers, circuses, lakes, troughs and kars, as well as narrow valleys of rivers born in glaciers cut through this mountain range. At the same time, Ecrins is considered the highest mountainous region of France, with the exception of Mont Blanc, of course. In the northern part of the massif there are peaks Ecrins (Barre des Ecrins, 4102 m), Mont Pelvoux (Mont Pelvoux, 3946 m) and La Meige (La Meije, 3983 m), and the total number of "three thousand meters" here exceeds a hundred.
There are six separate reserves on the territory of the park that protect local natural complexes, but are united by a common management and control system. The nature of the park is interesting primarily for its pronounced altitudinal zonation. At the foot of the majestic peaks, you can see an amazing variety of species of mixed forests and alpine meadows, beautiful mountain lakes and rivers, the air above which literally trembles from myriad of insects and birds. But as you climb, the picture changes rapidly, and already on the passes you can find only mosses and lichens - and all this is literally on the one and a half to two kilometers route. At the same time, the nature of the highlands can hardly be called scarce - there are about fifty species of wild animals, about 300 species of plants and 56 species of insects, and the species diversity is even higher at the foothills.
The Romanche, Guisane, Durance and Drac valleys surrounding the protected area provide excellent opportunities for exploring the colorful local culture as well as for outdoor activities. In the highlands, there are about a hundred climbing routes, and a network (total length of about 1000 km) of relatively simple hiking trails running from the pass to the pass is broken around.
The park's information offices are located in the towns of Le Bourg-d "Oisans and Vallouise, through which the most optimal routes for a trip to the mountains pass.
Keira
The regional natural park of Queyras www.queyras.com (Parc naturel regional du Queyras, founded in 1977) is not one of the largest reserves in the country, but due to its natural and climatic conditions and the richness of nature it is considered one of the best mountain reserves in Europe. Situated in the spurs of the Cotta Alps, between Briancon and the Italian border, it stands out from its more famous neighbors for its colorful combination of alpine nature with more distinct Mediterranean features. Here dense forests are replaced by extensive thickets of stiff-leaved shrubs, green alpine meadows - by mountain wastelands, and steep slopes of peaks - by relatively gentle limestone massifs, which makes this territory one of the richest in both the abundance of living creatures and the variety of landscapes. At the same time, access to all areas of the park is completely free, and the abundance of small mountain villages provides good conditions for both accommodation and acquaintance with the local culture.
The reserve covers about 2300 hectares at altitudes from 1800 to 3300 meters, stretching along the valley of the Gil River to the Viso Mountain (Monte Viso, Monviso, 3841 m) located in the Italian territory - the highest in the Cotta Alps. Alpine flora (800 species of plants alone!) And fauna (about 120 animal species) are extremely diverse here, and the numerous villages of the valley are popular, albeit small, ski resorts in winter, while in summer they provide excellent opportunities for hiking and horse excursions in the mountains.
The easiest way to get to the reserve is to take the A51 motorway from Marseille (238 km distance) via Guillestre or via Briançon on the A43 motorway from Grenoble. However, it should be borne in mind that many passes from October to May are either covered with snow or difficult to pass for ordinary vehicles (this is especially true for the Col Izoard - Col Agnel section).
Pyrene
Pyrenees National Park www.parc-pyrenees.com (Parc national des Pyrenees, founded in 1967) stretches for almost 100 km along the Spanish border. It covers almost 460 sq. km of the Hautes-Pyrenees and Atlantean Pyrenees departments, and together with the adjoining French nature reserve of the Pyrenees Occidentales (Parc national des Pyrenees Occidentales) and the Spanish national parks of Ordesa and Monte Perdido (included in the UNESCO World Natural Heritage List) forms a huge protected area that occupies almost half Central Pyrenees. Moreover, these regions are interesting not only for their unique natural conditions and fauna, but also for the easy accessibility of the territory and the abundance of historical monuments.
The foothills of the Pyrenees are covered with dense beech and poplar forests, above there is a zone of mixed forests inhabited by a large number of animals (about 70 species of mammals only!), Further stretches a strip of dry mountain wastelands and desert areas. 400 km of hiking, equestrian and ecological trails of all difficulty categories have been laid through the territory of the reserves, high-altitude areas are attractive for climbers - it is here that the highest point of the region - Mount Vinmal (3298 m) and 14 "two-thousanders", the famous glacial circuses of Gavarnie (Joverny) and Tryumuz are located , about 200 lakes, as well as one of the highest waterfalls in Europe - the Great Gavarnie cascade (height 422 m). But no less interest among tourists is usually caused by the historical sights of the region, primarily located almost in the center of the park, ancient Lourdes - one of the most important centers of religious pilgrimage in Western Europe, as well as numerous fortresses and picturesque mountain villages.
The park's information centers are located in Tarbes, Etsaut, Cauterets, Luz-Saint-Sauveur, Gavarnie, Laruns and Arrens. The park can be reached by air via Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyrenees Airport and Pau-Pyrenees Airport or by rail (SNCF Bayonne-Toulouse line) via Tarbes. You can also use road transport (highways N 85, 234 and 70), which is especially convenient for transit trips to Spain and to remote mountain regions.
Seven
The Seven National Park www.cevennes-parcnational.fr (Parc national des Cevennes) lies in the mountainous regions of the south of the country. The Cévennes mountain system is part of the Massif Central and one of the oldest in Europe. Therefore, these ancient landscapes with an amazing network of highly weathered mountains have one of the most unusual natural complexes on the continent, famous for many relict life forms. At the same time, it is one of the most ancient areas of human habitation, therefore, in 1970, a national park was created to protect the landscapes, flora, fauna and architectural heritage of the Cévennes, which occupies almost the entire southern part of the Losere department and the north-western part of the Gard department. In accordance with the French nature conservation system, the park is divided into two areas - the central reserved zone (zone centrale), in which all economic activities are prohibited, and the peripheral zone, in which many historical settlements are concentrated and which is open to all comers.
About 2,250 plant species live here, and a wide variety of climates (areas with oceanic, continental and Mediterranean types are found here), the chemical composition of soils and a serious difference in altitude (from 378 to 1699 m) allow representatives of different natural zones to live comfortably side by side. The alpine meadows of Mont Loser (the highest point of the park, 1702 m) give way to peat bogs and lifeless mountain wastelands, steppes and meadows stretch along the western slopes, while the rocky protected valleys of the southern slopes are covered with rich subtropical vegetation, picturesque beech, chestnut and oak forests ( approximately 58,047 hectares of forest - the largest forest area in the south of the country). Of the 400 species of flora protected in France, 33 are represented in the park, plus 48 more local varieties and more than a hundred species of rare plants are under protection, which is especially surprising when you consider that almost all the slopes of the outer zone are freely used for grazing.
The fauna is no less rich - 2,420 species of animals are recorded here, including 45% of the vertebrates of the entire country, 89 species of mammals, 208 species of birds, 24 species of fish, 824 species of insects, and so on. Moreover, there are species that have long disappeared in other regions. Western Europe, including otter, beaver, mouflon, osprey and even lobster. As a result of carefully designed conservation measures, the Cévennes over the past 30 years have become one of the places in Europe with the largest variety of natural complexes, and in 1985 the park received the status biosphere reserve UNESCO.
More than 380 km of hiking and cycling trails have been laid along the park's green valleys and gorges (the highest concentration hiking trails in the country), about 120 km of water routes, and many peaks, primarily Egual (Mont Aigoual, 1565 m) and Finiel (Pic de Finiels, 1699 m) are quite suitable for easy ascents. The main information office of the park www.mescevennes.com is located in the castle of Florac, local offices operate in the towns of Le Pont de Montvert, Genolhac, Valleraugue and Le Vigan ( Le Vigan). Comprehensive information about the park can also be obtained from the ecological museums of Kos, Seven and Mont Loser (Le Pont de Monvers).
Access to Parc Seven is surprisingly easy thanks to two major motorways (Paris - Clermont-Ferrand - Nimes and Béziers - Millau - Clermont-Ferrand), which run around the park from the east and west. But the hinterland is accessible only by off-road vehicles, horses and on foot.
Regional parks
In addition to national parks, France has a whole network (about 50) of regional natural parks (Parc naturel regional, PNR), whose status is determined by separate agreements between local authorities and the French government. Usually this is some kind of provincial area, distinguished by the beauty of its landscape, as well as cultural and natural originality. Regional parks were created in accordance with the decree of March 1, 1967, and their status is subject to mandatory research every 10 years, which allows them to actively expand and develop their infrastructure. As a result, many of them, since their inception, have grown into large nature conservation complexes, capable of a number of parameters easily compete with the country's large national parks.
The most famous of the regional natural parks include the reserve Camargue www.parc-camargue.fr (Camargue), which occupies the entire western part of the vast delta of the Rhone River (area about 81,780 hectares). These ancient lands of salt marshes, reed marshes, sea lagoons, hundreds of channels and sandy islands are considered the last site in Europe where you can see relict semi-steppe natural complexes that have completely disappeared in other areas. Here, on an area of almost one and a half thousand square kilometers, pink flamingos, egrets and many water birds still nest, and up to 300 species of birds have been recorded. In the unique juniper forest (the local juniper reaches a height of up to 7 meters with a trunk diameter of up to 50 cm!) And in the endless reed thickets of numerous channels and brackish estuaries, more than a hundred species of mammals are found. But the "calling card" of the Camargue, along with pink flamingos and small (about 1.35 meters at the withers) black bulls, are wild white horses, which are also not found anywhere else in Europe.
The continuation of the Camargue can also be considered two new regional marine reserves - Cat-Ble(Cote Bleue) and Siot(Ciotat), protecting approximately 130 hectares of water in southern Provence, from Lake Etang de Berre to the mouth of the Rhone.
Regional Natural Park O-Languedoc www.parc-haut-languedoc.fr lies in the southern part of the Massif Central, between Toulouse and Montpellier. The park was created on October 22, 1973 and currently covers an area of 2605 sq. km, and due to its vastness it is divided into seven regions, each of which has its own characteristic natural complex. The wide popularity of these lands is created by a wide variety of birds - 247 species of birds live here. Recently, the park has been actively relocating mouflons specially brought from Corsica, once completely exterminated in these mountainous regions by hunters - now 1,700 hectares of the park are given for the adaptation of these graceful animals. In addition, about a hundred other species of mammals, about 50 species of amphibians and an amazing number of insects live here. And the variety of climate and relief options makes this region famous as a "botanical corridor" linking the vegetation of the hot south with the cool northern regions of the country. Here, indeed, you can see representatives of almost all natural belts Western Europe (about 760 species of only flowering plants, and the park's forest area reaches 180 thousand hectares), and often plants of various floristic complexes grow side by side. And outdoor enthusiasts are attracted here picturesque valleys and low mountain ranges slopes covered with granite boulders (here you can find both forested mountains and lifeless stone deposits of ancient volcanic fields), as well as many rivers and lakes.
The main office of the park is located in the town of Saint-Pons-de-Thomieres, but in any of the cities surrounding the reserve in the departments of Tar and Herault, you can find separate information offices. You can get there by car from Toulouse and Montpellier via Revel, Saint-Chignan and Mazamet, as well as from the north, via Villefranche-de-Rouergue, Lacon and Gaillac.
East of Avignon lies a tiny (25 km long) mountain range Luberon(Luberon), almost half of whose territory is protected by the regional natural park www.parcduluberon.com. This is unusual enough natural complex characterized by the contrast of its conditions. The northern slopes of the ridge have enough humid climate and relatively cold in winter, while the southern side enjoys a warm Mediterranean climate and is covered with dense forests and pastures. If you add to this the abundance of picturesque towns and villages, as well as several medieval castles, you get one of the most picturesque and, importantly, easily accessible protected areas in France. The best starting point for exploring the mountains is the humble town of Apt, with its large confectionery factory and lively market. However, most tourists immediately pass the city, heading to the small paleontological museum, as well as to the numerous resort towns of the region.
Regional Natural Park Verdon www.parcduverdon.fr (Verdon) lies in the southeast of France, in the Alpes de Haute Provence. The most beautiful in Europe and the second largest in the world canyon of the Verdon River is protected here, stretching for 25 km in length with a depth of about 700 meters. The most impressive part is located between the cities of Castellane and Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, where the river breaks through a picturesque gorge in a limestone massif, then breaking out into the expanses of the Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon reservoir, Lac de Sainte-Croix). The slopes of the gorge have a variable steepness, and therefore in many places they are overgrown with beautiful forests, while the rocky sections are extremely popular with climbers (more than 1500 routes have been laid with a height difference of 20 to 400 meters). On the territory of the park and the numerous adjacent gorges and slopes, about one and a half hundred hiking routes have been laid, allowing you to get acquainted with the most beautiful parts of the area and their inhabitants.
Due to its proximity to Cote d'Azur and the Luberon mountains, Verdon Park is very popular with tourists. You can get here from the north, along the D952 road from Castellane to Moutiers-Sainte-Marie, or along the left bank, along the D71, D90 and D995 roads through Aiguines.
Regional Natural Park Kors www.parc-corse.org (Parc Naturel Regional de Corse) occupies almost 40% of the territory of the island of Corsica in the Mediterranean Sea. This is one of the most unusual nature conservation complexes in France, not only protecting the unique mountainous regions of the island, famous for its stunning volcanic landscapes, dozens of lakes and majestic mountain peaks, often covered with snow (and this is in the middle Mediterranean Sea!), but also supporting the life of more than a hundred mountain communes. The inhabitants of these harsh mountainous areas unable to support human life in modern conditions, for some 30 years (the park was founded in 1972) turned from shepherds into gamekeepers, guides and guides, and the unique local nature has practically got rid of powerful anthropogenic pressure, never ceasing to delight guests islands with their beauties. It is home to about 110 species of mammals, many of which are separate subspecies, more than 80 species of birds and about 1,140 species of plants, mainly mountain ones. And the abundance of untouched mountain areas, lakes and picturesque settlements attracts lovers of outdoor activities and cultural tourism. To all the most interesting places The park, divided into 11 areas, can be reached from almost anywhere in Corsica by car.
The reserve included in the united zone of the park deserves special attention. Calanques, or Kalanche (Calanques de Piana, E Calanche di Piana, Calanches), which lies 5 km southwest of Porto. The term "calanque" in the western Mediterranean refers to geological formations in the form of a deep valley with steep banks partially filled with sea, that is, it is a typical fjord. There are similar formations in the region of Marseille and in the Calanques massif in the Bouches-du-Rhone department, but it is in Corsica that this amazing shape relief appears in all its glory. Numerous orange and pink rocks and turrets, the whole "forest" of which stretches along the seashore, rise above the water to a height of 300 meters, forming an amazing landscape, included in the list natural monuments UNESCO. For centuries, these unusual formations had a mystical meaning and were identified with various demons and animals, therefore they bear the corresponding names - "Dog's Head", "Bear", "Turtle" and even "One-Eyed Bishop". The easiest way to get to the park is by boat trip from Porto (excursions depart daily in summer and cost about 22 euros) or along the mountain road leading from Porto to Kargese.
A regional natural park located almost in the center of France Brenn(La Brenne, Brenne) www.parc-naturel-brenne.fr/ is considered the most important "lake reserve" in the country. Founded on December 22, 1982 on the lands between Poitiers and Chateauroux, inhabited by people for more than two thousand years, it is an example of respect for nature under the strong influence of modern civilization. Despite the fact that the French themselves call the park "lacustrine" (etangs), this area actually contains practically no natural lakes - most of the almost 1400 ancient local water bodies have long been adapted by man for their needs, are connected by channels and canals and are rather , ponds and reservoirs. However, the vast (more than 160 thousand hectares) wetlands in the Creuse and Indre interfluves, dense vegetation, as well as many ponds and watercourses create good conditions for nesting birds and an excellent habitat for fish and mammals.
The hilly areas of the southern part of the park, called Petit Brennes ("Little Brenn"), are not officially part of the park and are used for grazing. But the local wooded areas with many hedges have also become a haven for thousands of living creatures that coexist with humans almost seamlessly. Business card the area is considered to be birds - more than 140 species of birds live here, including about 70 species that visit the park during their seasonal migrations. But Brenn is also considered the habitat of the largest population of the European aquatic turtle in France (some individuals of this reptile reach a weight of 1 kg here), as well as many species of insects (it is believed that there are as many species of dragonflies here as in the rest of the country), wild wild boar, roe deer and other animals. And in numerous reservoirs there are 56 species of fish, and here no one is engaged in breeding it, rather the opposite - about 2000 tons are caught every year! However, fishing is carried out according to a special methodology and does not damage the local ecosystem. By the way, licensed hunting is also allowed here, so this park is considered one of the most popular outdoor activities in France, which is also helped by its convenient location.
The park's vegetation is no less impressive. Despite the fact that many areas have long been changed by man and local forests can, in fact, be considered parks, in the southern and central regions Brenna has extensive oak and chestnut forests, the Anglin Valley cliffs are covered with dense pine forests, and over 400 species of flowering can be found in the swampy floodplains and peatlands.
There are many carefully marked trails for excursions in the park - 107 for short and 2 for multi-day (190 and 210 km), about one and a half hundred bicycle routes (these include almost all local roads, since traffic along them is insignificant), including 11 specialized and 4 downhill tracks. There are several equestrian sports centers that also conduct all kinds of hikes, there is a center aquatic species sports and leisure center in Mezieres-en-Brenne. Many tourists are attracted by the characteristic local architecture, famous for the simple and cozy houses built of red sandstone on the characteristic white mortar, as well as several castles, monasteries and museums. You can get to the park by car from almost anywhere in France through Poitiers and Chateauroux, from which several highways depart, framing the entire territory of Brennes.
Popular attractions include the Parisian "Aquaboulvar"(Aquaboulevard de Paris) - one of the largest water parks in Europe (area over 7000 sq. M), famous Bois de Boulogne Paris - one of the largest and most beautiful urban parks in the world (area 8459 sq. Km) with its own amusement park Jardin d "Acclimatation, attractions, a zoo and several museums, a unique volcanic park Volcan-d "Auvergne, as well as numerous castles in France, each of which has not only a renowned historical charm, but also considerable cultural and entertainment value.
