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Visiting a protected site
Mercantour: A National Park
protecting nature
Mercantour National Park boasts an exceptional range of rare, local flora and fauna. There are a total of 8,951 animal species and 2,067 plant species. This magnificent conservation area was created in 1979, with the aim of preserving the region’s natural heritage, cataloguing its flora and fauna, monitoring endangered species, and reintroducing extinct ones… However, it is also up to each and every visitor to follow a few simple steps in order to maintain this natural balance.
Visiting
without causing harm
The rules that apply in the National Park are essential to ensure that public authorities can fulfil their responsibilities and that the park can benefit from its protected status. The rules in the area are very specific. The majority of human activities that could be detrimental to heritage conservation are regulated (such as traffic and construction) or prohibited (such as hunting).
The rules are as follow:
No engines
No traffic circulation or parking of motorised vehicles (including cars, motorbikes and mopeds) within the park. No pollution or noise except on roads open to the public. Enjoy breathing in fresh clean air and marvelling at the birdsong.
Keep quiet,
nature is at work!
Any noise and disturbances likely to upset the peace and quiet of the surroundings are strictly forbidden. This restriction applies in particular to the use of sound devices such as radios and portable CD players with built-in speakers.
Zero waste:
no litter!
Depositing, dumping and littering of any kind is strictly prohibited. “Biodegradable” waste should not be left in the park either. Please take your rubbish with you and dispose of it in the containers or bins provided throughout the valleys.
No camping allowed
Head for the refuges
Every night in the park, nature takes over, which is why, regardless of whether you’re in a tent, a car or a camper van, camping is strictly prohibited. However, bivouacking is allowed between 7pm and 9am, within a 1 hour walk of the park boundaries.
Hands off!
Don’t touch anything
Taking minerals, fossils or plants is strictly forbidden. Only the harvesting of certain plants for medicinal or culinary use (from a specific list) is authorised under special regulations.
The «Vallée des Merveilles» (The Valley of Wonders):
Special rules
To avoid damaging any vegetation, or, degrading and contributing to soil erosion, straying off the marked trails is strictly forbidden. And, naturally, you are not allowed to walk on the rock engravings or to touch them in any way. Hikers, refrain from using walking sticks with metal or rubber tips to avoid damaging the ground or rocks.
To reach the Roya Valley
- Roya Valley Access
Having been severely impacted by Storm Alex, the Roya Valley and its villages are now ready to welcome you this summer! Road and rail links have been developed to offer you the best possible experience.
