In the mountains of the Alpes Maritimes

Les Alpes-Maritimesa department set between the Mediterranean and the Alpine peaks, boasts an incredible diversity of landscapes, making it a unique destination in France. Between the intense blue of the sea and the craggy peaks rising to over 3,000 metres, this territory is the perfect blend of Mediterranean mildness and mountain ruggedness. This geographical duality creates an ideal setting for lovers of nature, wide open spaces and outdoor activities.

Whether you're seduced by the perched villages clinging to the mountainsides, such as Saint-Agnès, Europe's highest coastal village, or by the vast wilderness of the Mercantour National Parkevery corner of the Alpes-Maritimes is an invitation to escape and discover. Here, pine and larch forests rub shoulders with olive groves, and deep gorges give way to verdant valleys where time seems to stand still.

It's also a land where history and culture blend harmoniously with nature. From the vestiges of Roman times to the pastoral traditions still alive in the mountain pastures, the Alpes-Maritimes tell a rich and singular story. In summer and winter alike, this region offers a myriad of activities: hiking on panoramic trails, snowshoeing to discover snow-covered landscapes, or relaxing in villages where gastronomy and a warm welcome are an integral part of the experience.

A stay in the Alpes-Maritimes is an invitation to immerse yourself in an unspoilt environment, where every bend in a mountain road or beaten path leads to a breathtaking natural or cultural spectacle. Here, escape is experienced at every moment, between earth and sky.

Roya Valley

The Roya Valley, nestled in the heart of the Alpes-Maritimes, is a veritable natural gem stretching from the Italian border to the Mediterranean. Crossed by the River Roya, this valley offers a diversity of landscapes, combining steep mountains, impressive gorges and picturesque villages.

Perched on a mountainside, Saorge is often compared to an amphitheatre overlooking the Roya Gorge. This medieval village, listed as one of the "Most Beautiful Villages in France", features narrow streets, vaulted passageways and houses with colorful facades. The Franciscan monastery of Saorge, dating from the XVIIᵉ century, is a place of tranquility offering panoramic views over the valley.

Below, Breil-sur-Roya is a lively village, renowned for its man-made lake surrounded by verdant mountains. The lake is ideal for water sports such as canoeing, kayaking and fishing. The village is also an ideal starting point for hikes to the surrounding hamlets and terraced olive groves.

The Roya Valley is a privileged gateway to the Mercantour National Park, one of France's ten national parks. This protected area is home to exceptional biodiversity, with fauna including chamois, ibex and golden eagles, and flora rich in endemic species. Hikers can follow the Vallée des Merveilles trail, famous for its 40,000 rock engravings dating back to the Bronze Age, bearing witness to the region's thousand-year-old history.

In addition to hiking, the valley offers a wide range of activities for thrill-seekers. The white waters of the Roya are ideal for rafting and canyoning, while the rock faces attract rock-climbing enthusiasts. The villages, with their local markets, offer the chance to discover the region's typical crafts and gastronomy, providing an authentic immersion in local culture.

Tinée Valley

The Vallée de la Tinée in the Alpes-Maritimes is a region of striking contrasts, offering a harmonious transition between the Mediterranean influences of the south and the Alpine ambience of the north.

To the south, the valley is characterized by olive groves, holm oaks and cultivated terraces, reflecting a mild, sunny climate. Moving northwards, the landscape gradually changes, giving way to coniferous forests, verdant alpine meadows and snow-capped peaks, reflecting a cooler alpine atmosphere.

Among the valley's emblematic villages, Saint-Étienne-de-Tinée stands out for its rich architectural heritage. Visitors can discover churches with pastel facades, chapels adorned with frescoes, and museums dedicated to local traditions. The village is also linked to theAuron ski resort by the Pinatelle gondola, making it easily accessible for winter sports enthusiasts.

Isola, another of the valley's villages, seduces with its authentic charm and proximity to theIsola 2000 ski resort, renowned for its extensive ski area and varied mountain activities. On the other side of the valley, Auron unfurls its ski slopes in the Mediterranean sunshine.

The diversity of landscapes in the Vallée de la Tinée makes it a popular destination for outdoor activities. Hikers can explore a multitude of trails, some leading into the Mercantour National Park, where the flora and fauna are particularly rich. For winter sports enthusiasts, there are a number of renowned resorts, such as Auron and Isola 2000, offering top-quality facilities for skiing and snowboarding.

The Col de la Bonette road, culminating at 2,802 meters, is one of the highest in Europe. It crosses the valley, offering travelers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding massifs. This route is particularly popular with cyclists and bikers in search of challenges and breathtaking scenery.

Mercantour Park

The Mercantour National Parka veritable showcase of biodiversity, extends over part of the Alpes-Maritimes and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence regions. Created in 1979, it is one of France's most emblematic protected areas, attracting visitors every year in search of wilderness and grandiose landscapes. Its territory stretches over some 685 km² of preserved core areas, surrounded by more than 1,200 km² of peripheral areas, combining towering peaks, deep valleys and verdant plateaus.

The Mercantour is famous for its ecological richness, making it a unique sanctuary in Europe. The park is home to over 2,000 plant species, a hundred of which are endemic. Among them, the many-flowered saxifrage and the edelweiss, symbol of the Alps, carpet the alpine meadows and craggy rocks. The fauna is not to be outdone, with the presence of emblematic species such as the wolf, which returned naturally in the 1990s, ibex, chamois and even the golden eagle, which rules the skies.

The Mercantour is also distinguished by its varied ecosystems, from the larch and cembro pine forests of the intermediate altitudes to the alpine meadows and rocky environments of the highest peaks. These habitats are home to a discreet but abundant fauna: marmots, rock ptarmigan, bearded vultures and rare butterflies that fascinate naturalists.

Among the park's treasures is the Valley of Wonders is undoubtedly the most famous. Located close to Mount Bego, this archaeological site is home to over 40,000 rock engravings dating back to the Bronze Age. These stone engravings, mainly depicting human and animal figures, are a fascinating testimony to the beliefs and activities of early pastoral societies.

The park also boasts a number of breathtakingly beautiful mountain lakes, including Lac d'Allos in the Alpes de Haute Provence, Europe's largest natural high-altitude lake, and the Vens lakes, nestled in a breathtaking setting. These sites invite you to contemplate and hike, offering spectacular panoramas at every turn.

The Mercantour is a must-see destination for adventure and nature lovers. In summer, the marked trails make hiking accessible to all, from family outings to demanding treks such as the Grande Traversée du Mercantour. In winter, the park is transformed into a terrain ideal for snowshoeing, ski touring and ice climbing for the more adventurous.

The surrounding villages, such as Saint-Martin-Vésubie, nicknamed the "Switzerland of Nice", and Valdeblore, offer an ideal gateway for exploring the park. These typical villages, with their stone houses and pastoral traditions, add a touch of authenticity to this mountain experience.

The Mercantour National Park is not only a haven for biodiversity, but also a place committed to environmental awareness and education. Its teams work to preserve ecosystems, while welcoming visitors in a setting that respects nature. Guides and educational activities help visitors better understand conservation issues and appreciate the fragile beauty of this natural heritage.

The Valley of Wonders

Nestled in the heart of the Mercantour National Park Vallée des Merveilles is one of the natural and cultural jewels of the Alpes-Maritimes. This exceptional site, situated at an altitude of over 2,000 metres, captivates visitors with its majestic landscapes and rich archaeological heritage. A veritable open-air museum, the valley is home to thousands of rock engravings, fascinating witnesses to the beliefs and practices of Bronze Age mankind.

Dominated by Mont Bégo, which rises to 2,872 meters, the Vallée des Merveilles is a high-mountain environment marked by impressive mineral landscapes. Rocks sculpted by glaciers offer a grandiose backdrop, where silence and immensity invite contemplation. These spectacular reliefs contrast with the alpine meadows and torrents that criss-cross the valley, creating a unique ecosystem.

Hikers who venture here discover an unspoilt natural environment, with a mix of endemic flora and typical high-mountain fauna, such as marmots, chamois and, with a little luck, bearded vultures. The changing colors of the light on the rocks give the valley a magical atmosphere worthy of its name.

The Vallée des Merveilles is most famous for its rock engravings, making it one of the most important sites of its kind in Europe. More than 40,000 engravings, dated between 3,000 and 1,500 BC, adorn the glacier-polished rocks. These drawings, engraved with stone or metal tools, depict human figures, weapons, animals and geometric patterns. They bear witness to the daily life, beliefs and rituals of the first pastoral societies.

Mont Bego was considered a sacred mountain, a place where prehistoric populations paid homage to the forces of nature, particularly water and storms. The engravings, often interpreted as offerings to deities, tell a mysterious story that continues to fascinate archaeologists and visitors alike.

To explore the Vallée des Merveilles is to plunge into a journey through time. Hiking trails such as the Casterino trail and the Gordolasque trail allow you to discover these archaeological treasures while enjoying an exceptional natural setting. The marked trails are accessible to all levels of walker, but a good level of fitness is recommended, as the gradient can be quite steep.

To preserve this fragile heritage, the most remarkable engravings, such as the "Goddess with Zigzag Arms" and the "Tribal Chief", are only accessible in the company of an accredited guide. These tours provide a better understanding of the history of the engravings and the context in which they were created.

The Vallée des Merveilles is strictly protected as the core zone of the Mercantour National Park. This guarantees the preservation of the engravings and the valley's unique ecosystem. Efforts are also made to raise visitor awareness of the importance of respecting this fragile site.

The Vallée des Merveilles is much more than a hiking destination: it's a place steeped in mystery and spirituality, where nature and history meet in a breathtaking setting. To venture here is to step back in time, to walk in the footsteps of the first men who inhabited this sacred mountain.

Upper Var Valley

The upper Var valley, located in the Alpes-Maritimesis an unspoilt natural setting where the Var river rises and winds its way through wildly beautiful landscapes. This region is distinguished by its impressive gorges, in particular the Daluis Gorge, nicknamed the "Colorado of Nice" because of its red pelite cliffs, offering a unique geological spectacle.

Among the emblematic villages of the upper Var valley, Péone stands out for its medieval architecture and stone houses nestled at the foot of spectacular rocky pinnacles. The village's narrow streets invite you to explore in peace, revealing a rich and authentic heritage.

Entraunes, another jewel in the valley, is a picturesque village with winding streets and traditional houses. It is considered the "gateway" to the Mercantour National Park, offering privileged access to unspoilt Alpine landscapes.

Hiking enthusiasts will be delighted by the many trails that criss-cross the region. The "circuit des lacs", starting in Entraunes, is particularly popular. This itinerary takes in crystal-clear high-altitude lakes such as Lac des Garrets, Lac de la Petite Cayolle and Lac du Lausson, nestled in verdant settings and offering breathtaking panoramas of the surrounding peaks.

The Alpine flora is rich and varied, with blue forget-me-nots, glacier buttercups, Alpine pulsatilla and gentians brightening up the high-altitude meadows.

In addition to hiking, the upper Var valley is ideal for a variety of outdoor activities. The Daluis gorges offer opportunities for canyoning and climbing, while the surrounding forests are ideal for mountain biking and horse riding. Fishing enthusiasts can indulge their passion in the pristine waters of the region's lakes and rivers.

In winter, local ski resorts such as Valberg offer pistes to suit all levels, making the upper Var valley an attractive destination all year round.

Valberg, a mountain resort located at an altitude of 1,600 meters in the Alpes-Maritimes, is a popular destination in all seasons, offering a multitude of activities for visitors. It boasts a 90-kilometer ski area, suitable for all levels, from beginners to advanced skiers. The resort has also been awarded the "Famille Plus" label. Famille Plus" label, ensuring a special welcome for families with dedicated services and activities.

In summer, Valberg is transformed into a playground for outdoor enthusiasts. Marked hiking trails allow you to discover the wealth of local flora and fauna, with breathtaking panoramic views of the Mercantour National Park. Mountain bikers can choose from a variety of trails, while golfers can enjoy a 9-hole course with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.

Préalpes d'Azur

The Préalpes d'Azur, located between the Mediterranean coast and the Alps, form a series of plateaus and mountains with contrasting landscapes. The Préalpes d'Azur Regional Nature Park, covering more than 90,000 hectares, protects this biodiversity and cultural heritage.

Perched villages such as Gourdon and Coursegoules offer exceptional panoramic views of the sea and mountains. Gourdon, classified as one of the "Most Beautiful Villages in France", is perched on a rocky spur at an altitude of 760 meters, offering breathtaking views of the Côte d'Azur. The village is renowned for its medieval castle and picturesque streets lined with artisan workshops. Coursegoules, on the other hand, boasts an authentic, well-preserved medieval heritage of stone houses and narrow streets.

The Préalpes d'Azur are a veritable paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. Hiking is king here, with marked trails offering panoramic views and traversing a wide variety of landscapes, from holm oak forests to limestone plateaus. Caving is also popular, thanks to the region's many karstic plateaus and vast network of caves.

The cliffs and rock faces attract climbing enthusiasts, offering routes of varying levels of difficulty.

Among the natural sites to discover, the gorges du Loup impress with their sheer cliffs and waterfalls, making them ideal for hiking and canyoning. The Caussols plateau, a vast limestone expanse, is ideal for astronomical observation thanks to the purity of its sky, and offers lunar landscapes ideal for hiking. The grotte de la Baume Obscure, in Saint-Vallier-de-Thiey, offers a fascinating immersion in the underground world, with guided tours suitable for all ages.

Exploring these valleys and regions of the Alpes-Maritimesvisitors discover a mosaic of landscapes, cultures and activities, reflecting the richness and diversity of this unique territory.

The Alpes-Maritimes, with its diversity of landscapes ranging from Mediterranean beaches to Alpine peaks, offers an exceptional wealth of cultural and natural attractions. Perched villages, nature parks and historic sites bear witness to a preserved heritage, while outdoor activities such as hiking, water sports and skiing appeal to lovers of nature and adventure. This mosaic of cultures and traditions, combined with delicious gastronomy, makes the Alpes-Maritimes an unmissable destination for travellers in search of authenticity and varied discoveries.

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