The most beautiful protected natural areas in France

France, with its diverse landscapes ranging from majestic mountains to sunny beaches, is home to many protected natural areas. These sites are not only a refuge for biodiversity, but also perfect destinations for nature lovers. Here is an overview of the most beautiful protected natural areas in France.

1. The Calanques National Park (in Provence)

Located near Marseille in the Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur region, the Calanques National Park is a real natural jewel. This park offers white cliffs diving into a turquoise blue sea, with secret coves and hiking trails offering spectacular views. Created in 2012, it protects exceptional biodiversity both marine and terrestrial.

Activities: Hiking, diving, kayaking.
Fauna and Flora: More than 140 protected terrestrial species and exceptional marine diversity.

Discover Wonders of nature, the Calanques. Discover Cassis and its calanques.

2. Vanoise National Park

The first national park created in France in 1963, the Parc de la Vanoise, located in the Alps, is a paradise for hikers and mountain enthusiasts. It is famous for its alpine panoramas, glaciers and fauna, including the ibex and the bearded wild boar.

Activities: Hiking, climbing, wildlife observation.
Fauna and Flora: Ibex, chamois, marmots, as well as many species of alpine flowers.

3. The Marais Poitevin

Often called the "Green Venice", the Marais Poitevin is a protected wetland, located between Niort and La Rochelle. This unique site, classified as a Regional Natural Park, is crossed by a network of canals lined with willows and ashes. It is a fragile ecosystem where biodiversity is particularly rich.

Activities: boat ride, bird watching, cycling.
Fauna and Flora: Ash herons, European otters, and a great diversity of aquatic plant species.

4. La Camargue

Located in the Rhone Delta, the Camargue is a vast protected wetland famous for its flamingos, white horses and bulls. This regional natural park is a site of international importance for the conservation of migratory birds. The Camargue is characterized by a varied landscape, including reed beds, salt marshes, sandy beaches and wetlands. It has been classified as a regional natural park since 1970 and was recognized as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO in 1977. It is also a mecca of Provencal culture, famous for its equestrian traditions and its breeding of bulls and horses.

Activities: Bird watching, horseback riding, hiking.
Fauna and Flora: Flamingos, herons, and a typical flora of wetlands.

Discover The essentials of the Camargue.

5. Les Gorges du Verdon

The Verdon Gorges is a famous canyon with translucent waters in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence region of France. The Verdon River has dug into the limestone mass and in places to a depth of more than 700 meters. Rent a canoe, drift on the Verdon and discover its past. Visitors can explore the area by taking several hiking trails, including the Blanc-Martel trail which ends at the Point Sublime belvedere.

Activities: Hiking, kayaking, climbing, swimming
Fauna and Flora: Eagles, vultures, and a diverse Mediterranean flora.

Discover Gorges du Verdon.

6. The Queyras Regional Natural Park

Ce parc, niché dans les Alpes du Sud, est réputé pour ses paysages montagneux préservés, ses villages authentiques et son ciel d'une pureté exceptionnelle. Le Queyras est aussi un territoire idéal pour observer la faune sauvage.

Une île dans l’océan des Alpes. Région de terres libres, riches en couleurs, de paysages de haute montagne émaillés de nombreux villages, parmi les plus beaux et les plus hauts des Alpes où vivre pleinement les émotions et les rencontres qu’offre cette montagne.