France Mercantour National Park Travel Postcard

Mercantour National Park, located in the southeastern corner of France along the French-Italian border in the Alpes-Maritimes and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence departments, is a striking alpine park known for its dramatic landscapes, rich biodiversity, and cultural heritage. Established in 1979, it covers around 70,000 hectares of mountains, valleys, and forests, ranging from Mediterranean lower slopes to high alpine peaks exceeding 3,000 metres. The park is renowned for its stunning mountain scenery, including jagged peaks, deep gorges, and crystal-clear lakes, making it a favourite destination for hiking, rock climbing, skiing, and wildlife photography. Mercantour is also a biodiversity hotspot, home to species like the ibex, chamois, marmots, golden eagles, and wolves, as well as a wide variety of alpine flora. One of its unique features is the presence of ancient petroglyphs in the Vallée des Merveilles, showcasing prehistoric rock carvings that highlight human history in the region. Visitors are drawn both for the natural beauty and cultural richness, with well-marked trails, scenic drives, and charming mountain villages such as Saint-Martin-Vésubie and Tende offering a taste of traditional alpine life.