Parc national du Mercantour (cœur)

Parc national du Mercantour (cœur) Absolute Essentials

Mercantour National Park encompasses a rugged alpine landscape spanning the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and Alpes-Maritimes. This protected core area is home to Lac d’Allos, Europe’s largest high-altitude natural lake, and the Vallée des Merveilles, which contains over 36,000 Bronze Age petroglyphs. The terrain features dramatic peaks like Cime du Gélas, reaching 3,143 meters, and historic mountain passes including the Col de la Bonette. The park's diverse ecosystem supports a network of glacial lakes and traditional stone alpine refuges across the Maritime Alps.