France is not only famous for its romantic cities but also an ecological paradise with a diverse ecosystem. France’s national parks are home to thousands of rare species of flora and fauna, from large mammals such as brown bears and deer to endemic birds, fish and plants. This is a priceless biological treasure that needs to be protected and preserved. Here is a list of national parks in France:
List of National Parks in France:
1. Vanoise National Park (Parc National de la Vanoise)
Location: Alps, Savoie
Highlights: Established in 1963, Vanoise was France’s first national park. It protects the alpine environment of the Alps, famous for its ibex and many other rare animals. The park has many hiking trails and majestic landscapes.
Website: http://www.vanoise-parcnational.fr/fr
2. Port-Cros National Park (Parc National de Port-Cros)
Location: Port-Cros and Porquerolles Islands, Mediterranean
Highlights: Europe’s first marine protected national park, it protects marine and island ecosystems. Visitors can explore coral reefs, beautiful bays and rainforests. The park is also home to many species of birds and marine life.
Website: https://www.portcros-parcnational.fr/fr
3. Pyrénées National Park (Parc National des Pyrénées)
Location: France-Spain border, Pyrénées Mountains
Highlights: The park is famous for its majestic mountains, waterfalls and grasslands. It is home to brown bears, golden eagles and many other birds of prey. The Pyrénées are also a paradise for those who love mountaineering and skiing.
Website: http://www.pyrenees-parcnational.fr/fr
4. Écrins National Park (Parc National des Écrins)
Location: The Alps, southeastern France
Highlights: Located between the Rhône-Alpes and Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur regions, the park has many high peaks, glaciers, deep valleys and rich vegetation. This is one of the most beautiful parks for mountaineering and exploring nature.
5. Cévennes National Park (Parc National des Cévennes)
Location: Central France, including Lozère, Gard, Ardèche
Notable features: One of the most ecologically diverse national parks, the Cévennes includes oak forests, mountains, and traditional farmland. The park is also the only one that allows farming within the conservation area, preserving the culture and history of the local people.
6. Mercantour National Park (Parc National du Mercantour)
Location: Alps, France-Italy border
Notable features: Mercantour is famous for its diverse landscape, from snow-capped peaks to wildflower meadows. The park is also home to ancient rock carvings at the Vallée des Merveilles, which date back more than 4,000 years.
Website: http://www.mercantour-parcnational.fr/
7. Guadeloupe National Park (Parc National de la Guadeloupe)
Location: Guadeloupe, Caribbean
Highlights: Protecting the tropical environment and the La Soufrière volcano, the park has a diverse ecosystem with rainforests, wetlands and coral reefs. It is home to many endemic species, including the Guadeloupe national bird.
Website: http://www.guadeloupe-parcnational.fr/fr
8. La Réunion National Park (Parc National de La Réunion)
Location: La Réunion Island, Indian Ocean
Highlights: The park protects remarkable volcanic landscapes, including the Piton de la Fournaise – one of the world’s most active volcanoes. The mountainous landscape combined with the rainforest creates a unique ecosystem.
Website: http://www.reunion-parcnational.fr/
9. Calanques National Park (Parc National des Calanques)
Location: Near Marseille, Mediterranean coast
Highlights: The Calanques is the only national park in France that combines sea and mountains. It is famous for its coves and steep limestone cliffs. It is also a paradise for sports activities such as climbing, sailing, and scuba diving.
10. Guyane Amazonienne National Park (Parc Amazonien de Guyane)
Location: French Guiana, South America
Highlights: The largest national park in France and the European Union, the Guyane Amazonienne protects the most biodiverse tropical rainforest on the planet. It is also home to indigenous communities living in harmony with nature.
Website: http://www.parc-amazonien-guyane.fr/fr
11. Forêts National Park (Parc National de Forêts)
Location: Northeastern France, including Côte-d’Or and Haute-Marne
Notable features: Established in 2019, Forêts protects vast forests and endemic forest ecosystems. The park is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna and is a great destination for hikers and nature lovers.
Website: http://www.forets-parcnational.fr/fr
National Parks map in France
Tag: List of national parks in France 2024, national parks map in France 2024
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