Nice Côte d’Azur, preserved nature
Nice Côte d’Azur, preserved natural sites between sea and mountains
Nice Côte d’Azur boasts 86,000 hectares of forest, making it an exceptional destination between the sea and the mountains. From marine ecosystems to the peaks of the Mercantour, this unspoilt natural environment offers breathtaking landscapes and a host of outdoor activities. To make the most of these unique natural sites, do your bit to preserve them.
The Mercantour National Park, a protected nature reserve in Nice Côte d’Azur
The Mercantour National Park, with its lush vegetation, lakes and wildlife, is a veritable paradise for hikers. It covers the valleys of the Tinée and Vésubie rivers, with remarkable sites and well-preserved nature offering breathtaking scenery.
In the Tinée valley, military heritage blends with lush natural surroundings. The Rimplas fort, for example, offers a spectacular view over the valley from the rocky outcrop on which it was built in 1937. The Vens lakes are another exceptional site in the Tinée valley. These glacial lakes, situated above 2000 m in altitude, offer crystal-clear waters and some vertiginous waterfalls below.
In the Vésubie, the impressive landscapes of the Gordolasque valley are home to exceptional endemic flora and unspoilt fauna: ibex, chamois… Below, the Boréon valley and its pine forests reveal a number of emblematic lakes, including Lac Nègre and Lac de Trécolpas. Finally, the Madone de Fenestre site is the starting point for many hikes, particularly to the highest point in the Mercantour: Mont Gélas at 3143 m.
To preserve the fragile balance of the Park’s biodiversity, a few rules apply: take your rubbish home with you, stay on the marked trails, hike with a certified guide from the Tinée or Vésubie valleys…
13 Natura 2000 sites, protecting exceptional biodiversity
Nice Côte d’Azur has 13 Natura 2000 sites, including one that is entirely marine: Cap-Ferrat. These 13 sites represent 34% of the Nice Côte d’Azur territory. They are protected areas due to the fragility of the habitats found there.
These include the intriguing obscure valleys along the Var river, the Pra Gazé hillside at Saint-Dalmas-le-Selvage and the Brec d’Utelle. While some of these are off-limits to visitors (notably some of the obscure valleys), others can be visited with a qualified guide.
The preserved Mediterranean
The Pelagos Sanctuary is an 87,500 km² marine area between Italy, Monaco and France. Its aim is to protect marine mammals. The waters around Nice Côte d’Azur are protected due to the large number of marine species present: dolphins, rorqual whales, sperm whales, etc. A few rules of good conduct should be observed when sailing at sea.
For your sea excursions, opt for activities that respect biodiversity, such as solar-powered boat trips or whale-watching with Méditerranée Pêche Découverte, a High Quality Whale-Watching certified partner.
Are you curious about this biodiversity? Take a look at the See on Sea map, dedicated to observing species at sea!
