French National Parks - Nature Reserves in France

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What is a natural park in France?

A natural park is a portion of territory which is classified and in which the Fauna and the Flora (and mainly, the environment) are protected. Each park offers spectacular views and incredible biodiversity to visitors, a great one is that located in the Pyrenees.

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The Cevennes National Natural Park

The Cevennes National Park is mainly located in the departments of Lozere and Gard, and Ardeche and Aveyron too. More than 40,000 people live in these highlands with 1,000m of average altitude. A rich flora (2250 species) and a diversify fauna (2410 species) will fill you with wonder through the 4,000 kilometres walk.

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The Ecrins National Park

This park is located between Grenoble, Gap and Briançon. It has got 740 kilometres of walk and encompasses peaks like La Meije (3,983 m of altitude) and La Grave (3,946 m of altitude). Walking you may meet chamois, ibexes, marmots and golden eagles.

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The Guadeloupe National Park

The tropical forest and the mountains constitute an incredible biodiversity. Visit the Soufriere volcano, the only living volcan in this region and gaze at the bats and mongooses or insects.

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The Mercantour National Park

The Mercantour national park is an ideal destination to practise excursion, alpinism, ski touring, … Discover the “Vallée des Merveilles” with its 40,000 prehistoric engravings and admire the largest altitude lake in Europe. You may even catch a glimpse of a Wolf.

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Port-Cros National Park

The Port-Cros national park stretches between Port-Cros and Bagaud islands. Thanks to its 1,288 hectares of marine resources, it is now the first marine European park. Visit the small town of Port-Cros with a nice castle and an ancient harbour.

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The Pyrénées National Park

The Pyrenees national nature park has 230 altitude lakes and the highest Pyrenees peaks. This park is considered as one of the richest concerning the flora and fauna (raptors, lynx and the last wild bears in France). It is connected on 100km with the Ordesa Spanish national park.

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La Vanoise National Park

This nature park has been created in 1856 to protect ibexes against the hunters. This French natural park proposes lots of peaks between which curve large valleys. The ibexes are now numerous, you may see chamois and some marmots, and if you look at the sky, you may see a golden eagle.

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Guyana Amazonian Park

Only accessible by plane or with a dugout, it stretches over 34,000 square kilometres.

The park was established in February 2007 and its protection is maximal in the heart of this Amazonian forest.

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La Reunion National Park

Established in March 2007, it is the latest national park created in France.

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