A protected natural area
The Mont Vinaigrier overlooks the Mediterranean Sea and the Baie des Anges at an altitude of 370 metres. A limestone plateau and slopes with varying degrees of steepness make up a varied landscape. Large Aleppo pines and holm oaks have taken possession of the plateau, creating a landscape that is both wild and typically Mediterranean. On the more gently sloping parts, men have patiently built cultivable terraces, called “restanques” in the south of France. Olive trees were grown on these terraces, the oil from which was an essential source of income. These witnesses of a thousand-year-old agricultural tradition are meticulously maintained. A small forest of flowering ash trees flourishes on the steeper slopes.
Many animals have taken up residence in this Garden of Eden: small mammals, sedentary or migratory birds have settled here or come to seek refuge during their long journeys between Africa and Europe.
In some parts of the park you will also find pleasant shade and coolness in the summer, especially in the morning or late afternoon.
