How many national parks are there in France? France currently has 11 national parks. Of these, 8 are in mainland France and 3 are in overseas territories. The official parks are Vanoise, Port-Cros, Pyrénées, Cévennes, Écrins, Mercantour, Guadeloupe, La Réunion, Guyane, Calanques and Parc national de forêts.
The parks include both land and marine areas, stretching from Mediterranean coastline and forest landscapes to high Alpine massifs and tropical rainforest. Together, they represent an enormous range of habitats, climates and experiences.
What is a national park in France? A French national park is not just a beautiful natural area. It is a legally protected zone with strict rules for what is allowed in the park’s most vulnerable areas, often called the core area. Around this is usually a larger protected zone or cooperation area, where local communities, agriculture, outdoor recreation and tourism are included in integrated management.
In practice, this means that the parks are not only about protection, but also about balance. Many of these areas have been used by people for centuries, for summer farming, grazing, forestry or fishing. French national parks are therefore often living landscapes, not just untouched wilderness.
Why visit France’s national parks? For travellers, the national parks reveal a very different side of France from the big cities and the Riviera. Here the journey is about silence, views, local culture and nature-based experiences. Many parks have well-marked trails, visitor centres, viewpoints and activities suitable for both active hikers and ordinary holiday travellers.
Overview of the national parks
1. Parc national de la Vanoise – true high mountains in the French Alps
Vanoise National Park is the high mountain landscape many people dream the Alps should be: wide valleys, green alpine pastures, glaciers, quiet mountain trails and rich wildlife – all protected in France’s oldest national park, created in 1963. The park lies in the heart of Savoie, between Tarentaise to the north and Maurienne to the south, and extends all the way to the Italian border, where it meets Parco Nazionale del Gran Paradiso.
Vanoise was created first and foremost to save the Alpine ibex from extinction – a project that became a great success. Today, the park’s populations are among the largest in the Alps, and the animal has become a living symbol of successful nature conservation.
A landscape shaped by ice, altitude and human use
The park’s core area covers around 530 km², with more than 100 peaks above 3,000 metres, including Grande Casse at 3,855 metres. Glaciers, high plateaus, meltwater and deep valleys shape the landscape, but equally important is the long human presence: summer farming, grazing land, alpine architecture and old travel routes.
What can you do in Vanoise?
Vanoise is first and foremost a park for active nature experiences. It is known as one of France’s best areas for hiking, with around 400 kilometres of marked trails and a large network of staffed and unstaffed mountain refuges.
- Col de la Vanoise and Lac des Vaches
- Circuit des Glaciers de la Vanoise
- Lac Blanc and Lac de la Sassière
- Tour de la Vanoise
For many, a night in a mountain refuge is the highlight of Vanoise. It makes it possible to hike for several days in a row, experience sunset and sunrise in the high mountains, and get closer to wildlife and silence.
The park is also one of the best places in France to observe Alpine wildlife. Here you can see marmots, chamois, eagles, bearded vultures and mountain birds – often relatively easily along the trails in the early morning and late afternoon.
Although the altitudes may seem demanding, there are many easy and family-friendly walks in the surrounding zones and valleys, including around Pralognan-la-Vanoise.
How do you get here?
Vanoise is very easy to reach by public transport. The railway hubs of Moûtiers, Bourg-Saint-Maurice and Modane are right by the park entrances, and local buses continue from there into the valleys. By car, the easiest access is via the A43 or A430/N90. The nearest airports are Chambéry, Grenoble, Lyon Saint-Exupéry and Geneva.
The best time to travel is June to September, with July and August as the most popular period. September is often ideal for clear air, fewer visitors and beautiful autumn colours.
Chamonix
Alpine idyll by Mont Blanc with spectacular nature, skiing, mountain lifts and year-round activities.
2. Parc national de Port-Cros – the Mediterranean’s wildest island paradise
Parc national de Port-Cros is a completely different type of national park from the Alpine giants. Here, peaks and glaciers do not dominate; instead you find crystal-clear sea, lush Mediterranean vegetation, car-free islands and unique underwater life. Port-Cros is both France’s oldest marine national park and the first marine protected area in Europe.
The park lies off the coast of Hyères in Provence and includes the islands of Port-Cros and parts of Porquerolles, as well as a large marine area. More than 90 percent of the park’s area is marine, making it unique in a European context.
What can you do in Port-Cros?
Port-Cros is about peaceful nature experiences at a slower Mediterranean pace. The island of Port-Cros is criss-crossed by marked walking trails that can be combined into half-day or full-day hikes. Circuit des Crêtes, Route des Forts and Sentier de la Palud are among the most popular routes.
Port-Cros is considered one of the best places in France for snorkelling. Thanks to long-term protection, visibility is often very good and the range of species is high. Site de la Palud is a marked underwater trail directly from the shore and one of the great highlights.
From the sea, the islands are experienced in a new way. Guided boat trips and kayaking provide access to coves, coastline and military forts that are otherwise more difficult to experience. On land, there are also several historic forts and traces of old coastal defence history.
How do you get here?
Hyères is the main gateway to Port-Cros. You can take the train to Hyères from Marseille, Toulon or Nice, and then a bus or taxi to the harbours. The island itself can only be reached by boat, with seasonal ferries from places such as La Londe-les-Maures and Le Lavandou. The nearest airports are Toulon-Hyères, Marseille Provence and Nice Côte d’Azur.
May, June and September are often the best months. The weather is warm, the water inviting and the number of visitors more pleasant than in high season.
Saint-Tropez
Iconic Riviera destination with a marina, beach life and summer atmosphere.
3. Parc national des Pyrénées – high mountains, green valleys and wild France
Parc national des Pyrénées stretches along the border between France and Spain, from the Atlantic Ocean in the west to the inner mountains in the east. This is one of Europe’s most varied mountain areas, known for deep valleys, hundreds of mountain lakes, dramatic waterfalls and rich wildlife.
One of the park’s jewels is the Pyrénées – Mont Perdu area, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Here you find enormous limestone cirques, high waterfalls and landscapes shaped by ice and time.
What can you do in the Pyrénées?
The Pyrenees are a paradise for hikers, nature lovers and families who want to experience the mountains without necessarily hiking at extreme altitude all the time. Popular areas include Cirque de Gavarnie, Lac de Gaube, Val d’Azun, the Ossau Valley and the Aure Valley.
The park offers both day hikes and longer stages between refuges, and many routes can be done without heavy packs. The mountain lakes, valleys and waterfalls provide variety that makes every day in the park feel different.
Wildlife is also a major part of the experience. Here you can see chamois, marmots, vultures, eagles and endemic high-mountain flora.
How do you get here?
Cities such as Lourdes, Pau, Tarbes and Lannemezan serve as gateways. By car, you have the greatest freedom if you want to visit several valleys on the same trip. Relevant airports are Toulouse, Pau, Tarbes-Lourdes and Biarritz.
May and June bring lush nature and plenty of meltwater. July to September is best for high mountains and refuges, and September is often the very finest month for peace, clear air and perfect temperatures.
Biarritz
Elegant seaside resort on the Atlantic with surf, beaches and a relaxed atmosphere.
4. Parc national des Cévennes – slow highlands, deep valleys and starry skies
Parc national des Cévennes is perhaps France’s most underrated national park. This is a gentler and more human-scale highland area, where nature, culture and history are closely woven together. The park is located in south-central France and extends across parts of Lozère, Gard and Ardèche.
This is also the only French national park with permanent settlement inside the core area itself, giving it a very distinctive identity. Stone terraces, old farms, shepherds’ paths and small villages are scattered across a rolling highland landscape.
What can you do in the Cévennes?
Cévennes is a park for slow experiences, long walks and genuine close contact with the landscape. Chemin de Stevenson, Chemin de Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, Mont Aigoual and the valleys around the Tarn and Jonte are classic areas.
A distinctive feature of the Cévennes is donkey trekking, especially along the Stevenson route. This makes it possible to walk long stages without a heavy backpack and experience the landscape in a traditional way. The area is also excellent for mountain biking, e-biking and long gravel roads through the highlands.
Wildlife includes deer, roe deer, wild boar, birds of prey and nocturnal species. The park is also known for its dark-sky area and is considered one of France’s best places for stargazing.
How do you get here?
Alès, Mende and Nîmes are common gateways with train connections. Locally, a car is often the most flexible solution, especially if you want to combine several valleys and villages. Nearby airports include Nîmes, Montpellier, Marseille and Clermont-Ferrand.
May, June and early autumn are very pleasant periods. September and October are often ideal, with a calmer pace, clear light and autumn colours.
Montpellier
Lively city near the Mediterranean with squares, lanes and student life.
5. Parc national des Écrins – raw Alpine nature, glaciers and true high mountains
Parc national des Écrins is the essence of high mountains. Here you encounter steep valleys, sharp peaks, glaciers, waterfalls and a landscape defined by altitude, silence and strong contrasts. The park lies in Hautes-Alpes and Isère, between Grenoble, Briançon and Gap.
Within the park’s boundaries are more than 150 peaks above 3,000 metres, many glaciers and deep valleys carved by ice and meltwater. Barre des Écrins, at 4,102 metres, is one of the few four-thousand-metre peaks entirely on the French side of the Alps.
What can you do in Écrins?
Écrins is first and foremost a park for active mountain experiences. The Vallouise Valley, Valgaudemar, La Bérarde and refuges such as Refuge du Glacier Blanc and Refuge des Écrins are among the best-known areas.
The park is very well suited to hut-to-hut hiking and long Alpine stages, but it often requires good physical fitness, mountain experience and the ability to follow weather and conditions. The reward is great: glacier views, high-mountain air and silence far above everyday life.
In the surrounding zones there are easier walks that are also suitable for families and less experienced hikers, as long as the area is chosen carefully.
How do you get here?
Grenoble, Briançon and Gap are the main gateways with train connections. By car, it becomes easier to reach lesser-known valleys and start early in the day. The nearest major airports are Grenoble, Lyon and Marseille.
July, August and September are the classic months. June can be beautiful in the valleys, but there is often still a lot of snow at altitude.
Annecy
Alpine idyll with a lake, canals, an old town and easy access to beautiful nature.
6. Parc national du Mercantour – where the Alps meet the Mediterranean
Parc national du Mercantour is one of France’s national parks with the greatest contrasts. Here, snow-covered Alpine peaks stand side by side with a mild Mediterranean climate, lavender, rock formations and small mountain villages that seem to cling to the valley sides.
The park lies just north of Nice and the French Riviera. On the same day, you can swim in the Mediterranean and later hike in the high mountains. This proximity between sea, mountains and culture is exactly what makes Mercantour so unique.
What can you do in Mercantour?
Mercantour suits many types of travellers precisely because the terrain varies so much. Popular areas include Vallée des Merveilles, Valdeblore, La Gordolasque, Tinée, Roya and Col de la Bonette.
Vallée des Merveilles is especially known for its thousands of rock carvings, and a visit here combines cultural history with spectacular high mountains. The park is also rich in ibex, chamois, marmots, birds of prey and even wolves.
In the surrounding zones there are many family-friendly experiences, short nature trails, picnic areas and cultural stops in small mountain villages.
How do you get here?
Mercantour is surprisingly easy to reach. The train to Nice and then regional or narrow-gauge trains, including the Train des Merveilles, are a great solution. A car gives the greatest freedom if you want to combine several valleys. The nearest airport is Nice Côte d’Azur.
May and June are good for flowers and waterfalls. July to September is best for the high mountains, with September as a particularly attractive month for clear air and fewer visitors.
Nice
Mediterranean classic with a seafront promenade, old town and Riviera feeling.
7. Parc national des Calanques – wild coastal nature right outside the big city
Parc national des Calanques is one of Europe’s most spectacular national parks – and also one of the most accessible. Here, steep white limestone cliffs meet an intensely turquoise sea, just minutes from the centre of Marseille.
The park stretches between Marseille, Cassis and La Ciotat and includes both land and large marine areas. This is France’s only national park that combines wild Mediterranean nature with urban proximity.
What can you do in Calanques?
Calanques offers intense nature experiences in a relatively small area. The best-known coves and hiking areas are Calanque d’En-Vau, Calanque de Sormiou, Calanque de Port-Miou and Belvédère de Sugiton.
Kayaking is one of the best ways to experience the coast, because it gives access to coves, cliff walls and caves that are not as easy to reach on foot. Swimming and snorkelling are major highlights, and the area is also internationally known for climbing.
The trails can be steep, rocky and hot. Good hiking shoes, plenty of water and an early start are essential – especially in summer.
How do you get here?
Calanques is one of the easiest national parks in France to reach. You can take the train to Marseille Saint-Charles or Cassis, and from there continue by bus, train, bicycle or on foot to the entrances. Boat trips are also a popular way to experience the park. The nearest airport is Marseille Provence.
April, May, June and September are often best. On hot summer days, you must always check whether some trails are closed because of fire risk.
Marseille
Vibrant port city with seafood, coastal life and strong southern French contrasts.
8. Parc national de forêts – silence, old-growth forest and slow France
Parc national de forêts is France’s newest national park and also the quietest. Created in 2019, it is the country’s first national park devoted entirely to forest landscapes. There are no dramatic peaks or turquoise coves here, but deep old deciduous forests, quiet hollows, clear springs and a landscape where nature is allowed to dominate in peace.
The park lies on the border between Burgundy and Champagne, north of Dijon, and protects some of the most valuable nature that still exists in Central Europe: untouched and lightly influenced deciduous forests of beech, oak and ash.
What can you do in Parc national de forêts?
This is a park for slow nature experiences. It is less about viewpoints and more about silence, birdsong, light between the trees and the smell of the forest floor. The walks lead through dense deciduous forest, along streams and limestone springs.
The park is ideal for tracking, nature-guided walks, detail photography and birdwatching. In the surrounding zones are small villages, old stone buildings and family-run accommodation that underline the peaceful atmosphere.
How do you get here?
Dijon, Chaumont and Langres are the main gateways. A car is clearly the most practical solution if you want to explore several parts of the park and stay in small villages. Paris can also work as a starting point, with train travel onward towards the Dijon area.
Autumn is the highlight for many, but spring and early summer are also very pleasant periods. September and October bring especially beautiful colours.
Dijon
Historic city in Burgundy with wine, culture and a classic French atmosphere.
9. Parc national de la Guadeloupe – tropical rainforest, waterfalls and volcanic landscapes
Parc national de la Guadeloupe is France’s most exotic national park. Here you encounter dense tropical rainforest, rushing rivers, hot steam springs and an active volcano. The park lies on the western part of the island of Basse-Terre and covers much of the island’s interior.
The park was established in 1989 and protects rainforest, rivers, waterfalls, hot springs, mangroves and the mountain areas around the La Soufrière volcano. It is nature unlike anything else in France, but still very much part of the country.
What can you do in Guadeloupe?
Guadeloupe offers active and lush nature experiences in a warm, humid climate. Popular areas include Cascade aux Écrevisses, Route de la Traversée, Maison de la Forêt, La Soufrière and Chutes du Carbet.
Hiking to La Soufrière is the park’s most iconic experience. Along the way you encounter sulphurous fumes, hot gas vents and a landscape that feels almost lunar near the summit. In the surrounding zones there are also mangroves, wetlands and coastal areas that can be explored by kayak or on prepared trails.
Wildlife is often less visible than in Alpine parks, but it is always present in sounds, movements and tracks in the rainforest.
How do you get here?
Guadeloupe is reached via Pointe-à-Pitre Airport, with direct flights from Paris. On the island itself, a car is clearly the best solution, since starting points are spread out and public transport is limited. Basse-Terre, Bouillante and Capesterre-Belle-Eau are good base locations.
December to April is the drier period and often best for hiking. The park can be visited year-round, but summer and autumn are warmer, more humid and more exposed to weather.
Parc national de la Guadeloupe
This park lies outside mainland France. Therefore no local destination from your current destination file is shown here, but the button below zooms in on the park in the large map and opens a short popup.
10. Parc amazonien de Guyane – Europe’s last true wilderness
Parc amazonien de Guyane is not only France’s largest national park – it is in a category of its own. This is Europe’s largest protected natural area, an enormous stretch of true rainforest deep inside French Guiana on the north coast of South America.
The park was created in 2007 and covers more than 33,000 km². More than 95 percent is tropical rainforest, and large parts are inaccessible without a boat or small aircraft. There are no quick viewpoints or classic mountain huts here – this is a place that must be experienced slowly.
What can you do in Guyane?
The experiences here are about taking part in a living ecosystem. River journeys by pirogue or small motorboat provide access to villages, jungle areas and wildlife along the banks. Rainforest walks are always done with a guide and are more of a sensory journey than a physical achievement.
Wildlife is rich but often hidden: monkeys, tapirs, birds, frogs, reptiles and an enormous diversity of insects. Experiences often become even deeper when combined with local knowledge of medicinal plants, survival in the rainforest and Indigenous traditions.
The park is also a living cultural landscape where Indigenous peoples such as the Wayãpi, Teko and Wayana live in close interaction with the rainforest.
How do you get here?
All travel starts with a flight to Cayenne. From there the journey continues by small aircraft, riverboat or combinations of the two, depending on which area you are visiting. Base locations such as Maripasoula, Saül and Camopi are often used for further experiences inside or near the park.
August to November is the relatively drier period. The climate is warm and humid year-round, and this is not a place for spontaneous visits – planning and a guide are absolutely essential.
Parc amazonien de Guyane
This park lies outside mainland France. Therefore no local destination from your current destination file is shown here, but the button below zooms in on the park in the large map and opens a short popup.
11. Parc national de La Réunion – volcanoes, jungle and the world’s most dramatic landscapes
Parc national de La Réunion is one of the world’s most spectacular national parks – and without doubt the most extreme in all of France. Here you encounter active volcanoes, enormous mountain cirques, deep gorges, tropical vegetation and ridges that rise straight from the Indian Ocean.
The national park covers around 40 percent of the island of La Réunion and is partly on the UNESCO World Heritage List under the name Pitons, cirques et remparts. This is France at its most dramatic and visually wild.
What can you do on La Réunion?
La Réunion is considered one of the world’s best places for hiking in dramatic terrain. Highlights include Piton de la Fournaise, Piton des Neiges and the three mountain cirques of Cilaos, Mafate and Salazie.
Volcano hiking is a completely unique experience, where you can walk over solidified lava and experience an almost lunar landscape. Many routes are physically demanding, but the park also has a good system of gîtes and simpler accommodation that make multi-day hikes possible.
At lower elevations you find tropical rainforest, waterfalls, ravines and villages that still live in close interaction with the dramatic landscape.
How do you get here?
La Réunion is reached via Roland Garros Airport near Saint-Denis. On the island, a rental car is almost indispensable, since starting points are spread out and the roads pass through very hilly terrain. Cilaos, Hell-Bourg and Saint-Pierre are among the best base locations.
May to October is the drier and cooler period, and therefore usually best for hiking. High-mountain weather can change quickly, so local information is important.
Parc national de La Réunion
This park lies outside mainland France. Therefore no local destination from your current destination file is shown here, but the button below zooms in on the park in the large map and opens a short popup.
France’s national parks are more than just nature
What makes these parks so interesting is that they are not only about beautiful nature. They are also about culture, history, local identity and the way people live with the landscape. In some parks you see traces of summer farming and old travel routes. In others, marine protection, coastal culture or tropical biodiversity take centre stage.
For travellers, this means that a visit to a national park often becomes more than a hike. It becomes a way to experience France that is calmer, deeper and more varied than the classic holiday format.
In summary
France has 11 national parks, and together they show just how enormously diverse the country really is. Here you find Alpine adventures, Mediterranean coasts, forest landscapes, volcanoes and tropical rainforest – all within the same country’s national protection system. Whether you dream of long mountain hikes, coastal walks, wildlife, spectacular nature or simply silence and beautiful views, there is a French national park that fits.