Territory and heritage
In summer, the rich flora thrives in the Tinée valley. The saxifrages bloom every year near the glacial lakes of Vens and its waterfalls. This endemic Mercantour plant is part of this natural heritage that the Park wants to protect.
Along the Vésubie river, which runs through the park, many sites are to be discovered. The upper valley of the Gordolasque was covered in glaciers 20,000 years ago. Over the centuries, they have shaped the landscape, leaving behind important mineral formations. Typical flowers of the Mercantour, such as the Potentilla valderia, have developed in this valley where chamois and ibexes wander around. The upper valley of the Boréon has been protected for 50 years. It is the ideal place to observe the local fauna. A beautiful forest of firs and spruces surrounds an artificial lake.
In the high valleys of the Var and Cians, there is a great diversity of landscapes. The torrents of the Var have carved their ways through the glowing red walls of the Gorges de Daluis. A coast road along this surprising “Nice Colorado” gives access to the most beautiful summits in the Mercantour.
At the beginning of the XXth century, great reforestation actions allowed the creation of the Ratery forest. Larch and stone pines are planted in the high rocky valley of the Verdon. Today, this forest has become the habitat for several species, such as the nutcracker, a small bird that likes to be heard. The territory next to the Allos lake is also home to various ungulates, marmots and golden eagles. Carved out by glaciers, it is the largest natural lake in Europe. It is located more than 2,200 meters above sea level.
