Of the 11 French national parks, only the Mercantour National Park was selected by National Geographic in its compilation of the most beautiful national parks in the world. No fewer than 76 parks across the five continents are featured in the latest special edition of August-September 2020, with a two-page spread dedicated to it.
What is a “National Park”?
This designation is recognized worldwide as the highest level of quality and protection for remarkable natural areas. The unique character of the Mercantour territory, at the border between France and Italy, justified its classification as a “national park” on August 18, 1979.
Where is it precisely located?
Stretching 150 km long, the area spans six valleys in the Southern Alps and covers two departments: the Alpes-Maritimes, for about two-thirds of its area, and the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence. It is the last link of the Southern Alps plunging into the Mediterranean.
