5 best national parks to visit in France
June 16, 2022, 8:16 p.m.
Located in Western Europe, France is popular among tourists for its magnificent palaces, art, architecture, theater, sensational cuisine and beautiful beaches.
France is also known as the most romantic country in the world.
There is much more to France than romance.
The country has several national parks where you can hike, wade in the refreshing streams and observe amazing flora and fauna.
One of France’s best-known national parks, Parc National de la Vanoise is located in the French Alps, between the Tarentaise and Maurienne valleys.
Spread over an area of 130,565 acres, the park was built in 1963 to save the ibex from the brink of extinction.
Once here, you must try mountain biking, hiking and paragliding while admiring the scenic surroundings.
Nestled on the Mediterranean island of Port-Cros to the east of Toulton, Port Cros National Park is the only Mediterranean marine park in France.
There are two great trails in the park – the Underwater Trail and the Botanical Trail where you can experience the historical legacy of Roman ruins.
Here you can snorkel and swim along the La Palud underwater trail.
Created in 1967, the Pyrenees National Park is located along the border between Spain and France.
There are several mountain peaks in the park that rise to over 3,000 meters.
Admire panoramic views of gushing waterfalls and sparkling lakes here.
You may spot genets, lynxes and brown bears.
You can also go biking, hiking, fishing, mountaineering or simple scenic walks here.
Located in the south-east of France, the Ecrins National Park was created in 1973 and is considered the second largest national park in France.
The park offers rugged mountainous terrain, gigantic glaciers, mountain pastures, dense forests, and scenic valleys.
These features of the park make it perfect for hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, and river running.
During the winters, you can go snowshoeing, mountaineering and ski touring.
Located in the south-east of France in the Alpes Maritimes and Alpes de Haute Provence, the Mercantour National Park was created in 1979 and welcomes around 80,000 visitors each year.
The park is home to two picturesque high peaks – Mont Pelat and Cima Sud Argentera.
The park is home to around fifty Italian wolves. You may also spot chamios, stoats, mouflons and ibexes if you are lucky.
