Mercantour National Park
This national park stretches
for about 75 km (47 miles) in a narrow mountainous ribbon between
Barcelonette in the Alpes Maritimes to Sospel, about 20 km (12.5 miles)
north of Monte-Carlo. Although it is almost completely uninhabited it is
criss-crossed with trails and refuge huts for hikers.
The park contains several peaks, the highest being La Cime du Gelas at
3,143 meters (10,312 feet), as well as the largest high-altitude lake in
Europe, the Lac d'Allos. It is a beautiful, completely unspoiled area,
with stunning waterfalls and gorges, but it is best known for its flora
and fauna. Inland there are unusual Alpine plants such as the
multi-flowering saxifrage as well as unique types of orchid and lily.
Closer to the coast more typical maquis plant life can be found, the
tough, aromatic species for which the Provencal hinterland is famous. The
park is home to a host of Alpine mammals such as ibex, chamoix marmots,
ermine, mouflon and reintroduced wolves. There are superb birds here too
– golden eagles. peregrine falcons, hoopoes and ptarmigans.
Sospel, at the southern boundary, is a lovely, peaceful town on the River
Bevera. The place St-Michel is a classic Provencal dream of peach-colored
facades interspersed with two chapels and a church, all overlooked by a
ruined castle. This is a splendid place in which to rest after hiking in
the high mountains. You can get to the Mercantour National Park by bus
from Menton and the best time is from June to October.
