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Our pick of must-do 100% nature events!

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  4. Our pick of must-do 100% nature events!

Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur’s nature reserves and national parks host a myriad of exciting, 100% nature events unveiling the many facets of our region. With farmers’ markets, a biodiversity festival, specialist-interest walks and much more, nature has plenty of healthy treats in store for you!

Walk with the animals

Saddle up and trek along

If you’re an animal lover, you’ll definitely want to experience a horse trek in Mercantour National Park during the Outdoor Festival in Boréon, held in the park’s valleys. The Hervé Gourdel association and local riding committee host a delightful trek departing from Saint Martin Vésubie. After a welcome coffee, you’ll enjoy clip-clopping through the forests of Boréon for two hours, followed by a picnic by the lake of the same name. The gorgeous scenic itinerary continues after lunch. Accessible to handicapped riders, it’s the perfect way to enjoy some sporty pleasures together!

The underwater world at your fingertips!

It’s time to head to Hyères-les-Palmiers for the Festival Galathea running from November 5th to 8th – a 4-day bonanza on the theme of oceans and the underwater world! A truly novel experience, the festival features international photography and video contests, film screenings and talks. It’s also a great place to meet with cultural and scientific stakeholders passionate about our underwater mysteries and treasures. The festival is backed by the association “2000 regards sous la mer”, which will be giving a fascinating presentation on conservation of the underwater world and its ecosystems.

Slow mode events to savour

Celebrating walking in the Baronnies provençales

The Fête de la Méouge walking festival is back on October 18th, 2020, celebrating its 13th edition this year at the beautiful Baronnies provençales Regional Nature Reserve. The “Route des Gorges” is closed on every first Sunday of the All Saints holidays, so you won’t have to jump out of the way of any cars… Make way instead for walkers, cyclists, roller-skaters and even adventurers on stilts! This unique and very-festive event is a great chance to discover or rediscover the area’s exceptional biodiversity and scenery tinted with turquoise white waters and sizzling autumn shades of orange… The adventure kicks off with a presentation of this Natura 2000 protected area’s many curiosities by guides from the National Forestry Commission and SMIGIBA team. Don’t miss the picnic with live music and farmers’ market in front of Châteauneuf-de-Chabre.

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Jardins des Méditerranées

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A mine of fragrant and colourful going out ideas!

Let’s pause to check out the Chemins de la Biodiversité event line-up in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur – a tempting offering of fabulous exhibitions, fairs and year-round guided tours! Just one example: Domaine du Rayol and its stunning Mediterranean Garden on the Côte d’Azur, where you can enjoy a plethora of guided walking tours. Take a moment to observe our insects at work – these secret little gardeners pollinate, hunt, transport and are the kings of clean-up… This one-of-a-kind garden showcases Mediterranean plants from the world over and features a coastal footpath running along sapphire waters… The Mediterranean mood continues with Printemps des Calanques: a series of 80 unique walking tours held throughout spring in our beautiful herb-scented garrigue…

A tasty terroir

Tempting autumn and winter veggies!

The end of summer means the beginning of yummy autumn flavours! The Festival Ventoux Saveurs is a 6-week gourmet festival starting in September, offering visitors a delicious delve into local produce and know-how, plus a chance to meet farmers, winegrowers and various artisans from the Mont-Ventoux area. The Parc du Luberon also puts local producers in the limelight with a mouth-watering day event at the Maison de la Biodiversité de Manosque (La Thomassine), dedicated to heritage fruit and veg. A truly heart-warming delve into the ancient foods enjoyed by our elders, the event also includes guided tours, games and talks to savour!  

Going organic in the Southern Alps

The French Southern Alps leads you on a tempting tour of its organic fairs. Don’t forget your hamper so you can stock up on flavourful, healthy goodies! On September 12th and 13th, head to the Bio Génépi fair in Embrun, set on the refreshing banks of the lake. It’s ideal for a spot of perfect parenting too – the kids will enjoy the talks and tasting sessions showcasing treats freshly-made on site. In Collongues, the Pays de Grasse and Préalpes d’Azur area councils host a 100% organic farmers’ market, together with mini games for all the family on the organic farming theme, exhibitions and live music.

Celebrating biodiversity

A tribute to Camargue!

The Camargue Regional Nature Reserve has been striving to protect and sustainably develop beautiful Camargue for the last 50 years! The anniversary celebrations will be in full swing throughout 2020, with a myriad of events honouring local biodiversity and its treasures. Other must-dos: the Camargue horse thoroughbred championships and Grand Raid de Camargue – a memorable race from Salin-de-Giraud to Aigues-Mortes.

Fun and awareness – the keys to a successful green event!

Celebrating its 8th edition this year, the Potes de Marmots festival will be welcoming fun-loving nature fans at the Queyras Regional Nature Reserve in the Hautes-Alpes for a celebration of good humour and togetherness. From August 18th to 20th, around 5,000 festival-goers will be getting together to enjoy a fabulous array of entertainment courtesy of around 60 street artists – a children’s festival par excellence! The treats in store include puppet shows and wandering fairytale creatures that promise to enchant all the family. In the Verdon, we love the eco-aware message relayed by the Inventerre biodiversity festival running from October 7th to 11th, featuring a host of authors, directors and naturalists expert in today’s environmental and economic stakes, together with exhibitions, screenings and shows.

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