France Guide
Provence
The Parc National du Mercantour
The 685km Parc National du Mercantour is a long, narrow band of mountainland running for 75km close to the Italian border, from south of Barcelonnette to Sospel, 16km north of the Mediterreanean. The area is a haven for wildlife, with colonies of chamois, mouflon, ibex and marmots, breeding pairs of golden eagles and other rare birds of prey, great spotted woodpeckers and hoopoes, blackcocks and ptarmigan. In recent years grey wolves have begun returning to the area from neighbouring Italy, since disappearing in the 1930s. The flora too is very special, with many unique species of lilies, orchids and Alpine plants, including the rare multi-flowering saxifrage.
The park is crossed by numerous paths, including the GR5 and GR52, with refuge huts providing basic food and bedding for hikers. For more detailed information, contact the Maisons du Parc in Barcelonnette, St-Étienne-de-Tinée or St-Martin-Vésubie, which can provide maps and accommodation details as well as advice on footpaths and weather conditions. Camping, lighting fires, picking flowers, playing radios or doing anything that might disturb the delicate environment is strictly outlawed.