Top 7 National Parks in France

The landscapes of France offer the opportunity to see magnificent wildlife, explore mountain villages, or simply enjoy a great hike or bike ride.

Mercantour is a must-see national park in France's network of protected areas. It is one of the most attractive national parks in France. It is in the southeast of the country, near the border with Italy.

Over 600 kilometres of hiking trails wind their way through the park, which is home to a number of small villages and densely forested hills. Finally, if you make it to the top of Mont Bégo, you'll even come across some Bronze Age petroglyphs. They range from animals, weapons, and Bronze Age people to various other subjects. It's a sight to behold.

We recommend staying in Camping River. It is a holiday campsite at Méolans-Revel, situated on the banks of the River Ubaye. The site has 600 m² of covered space for the caravans and tents. All the campsites are level with a magnificent view of the surrounding valley and mountains. Swimming is possible in the river in summer or in the pools on site. Ideal for those looking for relaxation, fun with the family, peace and quiet, or simply wishing to enjoy some time in nature.

Consider a creature the size of a jam jar, covered in dark brown fur, with webbed rear feet and a long nose. Unfortunately, the Pyrenean desman only comes out at night to feed on river shellfish and insects, but there are other rare animals in this national park that are easier to spot. The landscape is home to Pyrenean frogs, mink, and even bears. Golden eagles and bearded vultures soar above the red and yellow train d'Artouste, which travels a narrow-gauge, vertiginous 10 kilometres from the summit of La Sagette to Lake Artouste and offers spectacular views of the massif and its valleys.

We recommend staying in Camping Du Viaduc. Destination par excellence for families, it has all the assets for an unforgettable holiday in the Aveyron. With a beautiful water area and many activities during the day and evening, camping at Viaduc promises you a dynamic and relaxing stay.

The national park of Vanoise was established on July 6, 1963, on the anniversary of its founding. France's oldest national park, Vanoise, was established in 1872. It's only a two-hour drive from Chaportmonix to this national park. The Tarentaise and Maurienne valleys are covered by the Vanoise National Park, which continues into Italy as the Gran Paradiso National Park.

This town of Vanoise can be found in the Rhone-Alps region, in the Savoie region specifically. The central and peripheral areas of the park are separated by a central area and an outer area. The largest alpine ibex population in France and a vast landscape of flora and fauna are protected in the central zone. There are 28 quaint mountain hamlets scattered around the periphery.

We recommend staying in Camping Bourg Saint Maurice. It is ideally located, just a stone’s throw from the mountain passes and famous resorts of the Haute-Tarentaise. Hikes, outdoor sports and breathtaking landscapes await you for your next holiday in the Savoie!

Robert Louis Stevenson rode his donkey, Modestine, through this often-dangerous landscape a century before it was designated a national park. His route is now known as the Stevenson Trail (officially the Grande Randonnée 70), and mountain bikes have surpassed donkeys as the most popular mode of transportation. The park has an unpredictable, almost chaotic feel, heightened by large numbers of sheep and cattle, with chestnut forests, boulder fields, and rugged paths. Stevenson felt the emotion in the landscape as he tried to make sense of the Protestant uprising in the Cévennes during the Camisard revolts at the beginning of the 18th century. The park information centre is located in Florac.

We recommend staying in Camping La Cascade. Far away from the road, in a grandiose preserved natural setting, the campsite offers all lovers of nature and well-being the ideal setting to finally take the time to live.

Écrins is located in a triangle formed by mountains, lakes, and glaciers between Gap, Briançon, and Grenoble. It is so large that it contains over 100 summits, 60 lakes, and seven Maisons du parc (information centres), and is the ideal place to gaze out over a seemingly endless landscape. Eagles and vultures scan the rocks below for scurrying snow hares and ermines. Les Deux Alpes is one of Europe's most upscale ski resorts in the winter, and it frequently joins the Alpe d'Huez as one of the Tour de France's most difficult climbs in the summer. Visitors can drive into the park and spend the day hiking with the park's new app, Rando Ecrins, which includes guides for 700 kilometres of marked trails.

We recommend staying in Camping Champ la Chèvre. Located in the Rhône-Alpes region, the resort of Le Champs la Chèvre welcomes visitors from spring to autumn. Grandiose panoramas and breathtaking views of an oasis of mountain tranquillity at the foot of the Alps. A small corner of paradise that is perfect for families, solo travellers, climbers, nature and tranquillity lovers. The campsite also has a small heated swimming pool with a retractable roof, a paddling pool and a jacuzzi. Champ la Chèvre is also in the protected forest and mountain environment of the Vercors Regional Natural Park, near the La Jarjatte Valley. Do you enjoy spending time in nature, hiking, climbing, or skiing? Camping Champ la Chèvre is a place that is worth your attention.

Port-Cros is one of France's most remarkable national parks! It is not only a national park, but it is also a marine park, which differs it from other protected areas in France. The national park itself is located on the Mediterranean island of Port-Cros, just south of the mainland, and is easily accessible by boat from Hyères' Saint-Pierre Marina. Swimming and beach time are permitted in the National Park, but it is strictly enforced, and you can only bathe in a few designated areas – so pay attention when you arrive on the island. Nobody enjoys a fine!

We recommend staying in Camping Clau Mar Jo. Situated 2 km from the sea, between the towns of Hyères and Le Lavandou, Camping Clau Mar Jo is a small family campsite, where children can play and walk-in complete tranquillity. 

Until the establishment of Parc National des Forêts in 2019, France's national parks were located in the mountains or near the sea. This vast area of unspoiled forests, marshes, rivers, and traditional villages spans parts of the Burgundy and Champagne regions and is only a three-hour drive from Paris. This makes it an ideal day-trip destination for Parisians or a weekend getaway from the city.

Visitors can experience the natural heritage as well as the evolution of life in the area. There are hundreds of kilometres of hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails, as well as a section of the Via Francigena road to Rome. Foxes, hedgehogs, and other forest creatures, as well as wild boar and deer, are among the local wildlife. The rare black stork and the elusive wild cat are more difficult to spot. The forests cover 500 square kilometres and are mostly made up of hardwood trees like beech and oak. The forest floor is full of different kinds of moss, lichen, and rare plants like the Venus slipper orchid.

We recommend staying in Camping Le Lac d'Orient. Located in Mesnil-Saint-Père, a small village in the heart of the Forêt d'Orient Natural Park, this 4-star campsite combines nature and comfort like no other. Camping Le lac d'Orient offers spacious Grand Confort pitches for caravans and tents and Stop and Go pitches for campers. You don't have to worry about the heat, because the camping pitches are well shaded. You can also rent accommodations with a choice of a classic mobile home, a Confort mobile home, a premium mobile home, a chalet, and a gipsy wagon.