Mercantour national Park

The commune of Allos boasts a rich natural heritage, which led to the creation of the Mercantour national Park in 1979.
This is an area whose heart stretches from the Alps to the shores of the Mediterranean.

The Mercantour national Park is a mountain range very close to the Mediterranean, in the Southern Alps, whose climatic and geological origins give rise to a wide variety of natural and cultural landscapes.
Boasting a floral diversity unique in Europe, this national park is home to around 2,000 plant species, 234 of which are considered heritage species.

In the upper Verdon Valley, the protected and regulated heart of the Mercantour covers 54 km² between the Col d’Allos and the Col des Champs.
You can access the heart of the Mercantour for hiking via five different points: the Col d’Allos, the Vacheresse Forest, the Laus car park, the hamlet of Clignon and the Col des Champs.
Here, there is no noise pollution; it is only on foot that you can explore hiking sites such as Lake Allos, Europe’s largest natural high-altitude lake, Mont Pelat (3,052 m), L’Encombrette or the Cimet…

Among the wildlife present, ibex, marmots and chamois can easily be spotted by discreet and attentive walkers.

The Mercantour National Park is :
- a unique observatory of three geological phenomena,
- one of the most significant biogeographical areas in Europe and the world,
- a cross-border partnership : the union of the Mercantour National Park and the Parco Naturale Alpi Marittime is the result of more than thirty years of collaboration.

The geological history of the Argentera-Mercantour complex, linked to the history of the oceans and glacial and interglacial cycles, makes the Maritime Alps an exceptional ‘stage’ for biological and ecological processes, both past and present.
- a unique altitudinal climatic contrast over such short distances (no fewer than seven thermoclimatic zones have been identified),
- the history of the regional climate is marked by rapid and radical changes, accompanied by profound alterations in ecological communities.

The Mercantour national Park is also
- exceptional biodiversity, an area of international importance for its flora,
- natural habitats of priority interest,
- a rich and distinctive fauna; the park is home to numerous relict species,
- valuable evidence of prehistory.

Our objective : to protect and preserve this exceptional area through the highest international distinction for a natural site.

The Mercantour Ecotourisme is a network of ecotourism professionals connecting the valleys of the Mercantour national Park with each other, thus promoting exchanges and cooperation.

Mostly attached to their territory, to the protection and enhancement of its natural and cultural heritage, the Mercantour Ecotourism is a network of accommodation providers, farmers, mountain guides, artisans, artists, etc.

Mercantour national Park is also
- exceptional biodiversity, an area of floristic interest of international importance,
- natural habitats of priority interest,
- a rich and original fauna, the park is a place of reception of many relic species,
- valuable prehistoric evidence.

Our aim : to protect and preserve this exceptional territory thanks to the highest international distinction of a natural property.

Zones de quietude du tetras lyre sur les domaines skiables

Winter quiet zones

During the winter, the black grouse – the iconic bird of the mountains, also known as the ‘little heather cock’ – is a vulnerable species that must adapt to the conditions (cold, snow, and a scarcity of food).
In recent years, with the rise in snowshoeing and ski touring, disturbances to its wintering grounds have threatened its survival.

To conserve energy and protect itself from predators, the black grouse takes shelter in igloos, which serve as a discreet refuge. When disturbed, it bursts out of this shelter and remains perched for hours on end, exposed to the cold and the elements.
This disturbance weakens the black grouse and reduces its chances of survival.

Quiet zones have been created to restore the space occupied by the birds whilst allowing snow-based activities to continue.
- 7 hectares at the Seignus resort and 2 hectares at the Foux resort have been designated following collaboration with the ski areas.
- another zone is in place on the Laus plateau
They are clearly marked to ensure the peace and quiet of the black grouse.