What's New in Southern French Alpes? The essentials

The Barre des Ecrins, the Meije, the Mercantour: these names make you dream and the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Region is doing everything possible to ensure that the discovery of these summits is as high as possible. Respect for natural and cultural resources guides the growth of the Southern Alps.

Published on 5 April 2023

THE SOUTHERN ALPS AN ECO-DESIRABLE MOUNTAIN RANGE

France’s second most-popular mountain range accounts for 65% of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur territory but just 15% of its inhabitants. An increasing number of holidaymakers flock there every year, seeking sunshine with cool temperatures, pure air, unpolluted rivers and lakes, and wild, wide-open spaces – a myriad of treasures that have earned the Southern Alps its “Puralpes” tagline. Everything here is geared towards preserving the wonderment of visitors and the quality of life of locals – and that includes taking care of our beloved marmots and chamois… .

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Designated a French ecological planning pilot area, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur aims to become Europe’s first carbon-neutral region from 2037. “Climate criteria are applied to every budget from 2023: whatever the file and field of expertise, every euro spent by the Regional Council must contribute to the fight against or adaptation to climate change. There’s even talk of a 100% green budget”, explains the President of the Region Sud. The 2021-2027 Mountain Plan is dedicating 200 million euros to sustainable development.

Virtuous practises begin with slow, carbonfree mobility. Thanks to the ZOU bus and TER
regional train networks, the Southern Alps is now easily accessibly at a very friendly price from the train stations and airports of the South’s main cities Nice-Côte d’Azur and Marseille-Provence, as well as Lyon and Paris. Happiness is just a train ride away… And there’s even a Paris-Briançon night service. Emphasis is on renewable energy production, with Serre Chevalier already producing a third of its own energy needs. Two regional plans – “5 million trees” and “War on fire” – have also reinforced the protection of our forests.

On the conservation front, the Southern Alps is a genuine benchmark, home to four Regional Nature Reserves – Préalpes d’Azur, Baronnies Provençales, Verdon and Queyras –, together with Europe’s largest geological reserve – the Haute-Provence Geopark – and two National Parks, Mercantour and Écrins, celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2023. Although preservation and sometimes sanctuarization are necessary, they aren’t always enough. We rely on inhabitants and visitors alike to promote the destination’s “unexpected places”, foster gastronomy based on short, solidarity-based circuits and usher in the agro-ecological transition. A combat of the highest order.

What’s New in Southern French Alpes in 2023?

Punctuated by major sporting and cultural events, rich in renewed offers combining well-being and ecology, the Southern Alps prove in 2023, even more eco-desirable. The...