Pra Loup, nature resort
PraLoup, nature resort
Nestled at the crossroads of the Southern Alps and the Mercantour National Park, Pra Loup is a mountain resort deeply rooted in an exceptional ecosystem. In summer and winter, nature is omnipresent, alive and precious.
A resort at the heart of a unique ecosystem
Located in the municipality of Uvernet-Fours, Pra Loup is one of the few French resorts where nearly 46% of the territory is classified as the heart of a national park. A remarkable figure on a national scale, which guarantees the preservation of an exceptional natural heritage.
A remarkable biodiversity to observe… and to respect
The Mercantour National Park is:
- More than 9,000 animal species
- About 2,000 plant species
- One of the most varied ecological riches in Europe
Alpine fauna within sight:
- Marmots on the sunny slopes
- Chamois, ibex on the ridges
- Bearded vultures, golden eagles in the sky
- Foxes, stoats… and the discreet grey wolf, which has returned naturally since the 1990s
Exceptional alpine flora
Around Pra Loup, the high-altitude meadows are full of botanical treasures:
- Edelweiss, lily martagon, blue gentians
- Wild orchids, mountain arnica
- Endemic species unique to the Mercantour
- The hoof of Venus (shown here in the photo)
Summer is the best season to observe the alpine flora, between June and August.
An inhabited and respected mountain
The natural history of Pra Loup is also a human history:
- Traditional pastoralism still practiced at high altitudes
- High-altitude hamlets and rural chapels
- Dry stone walls, transhumance paths…
The resort is actively engaged with the Mercantour National Park and local stakeholders to:
- Preserving natural environments
- Mark the trails
- Offering educational nature activities
A transformed landscape, but still alive
Winter does not freeze the mountain. In Pra Loup, snow covers the larch forests and the ridges of the Mercantour, but life goes on in silence.
Under the immaculate white, the Alpine ecosystems continue their cycle.
Even in winter, the most attentive will see:
- The tracks of the mountain hare, the fox or the badger
- Chamois in search of food
- The silent flight of a bearded vulture, the park’s emblematic bird of prey
Cohabiting with nature in winter
In Pra Loup, the preservation of wildlife and natural environments is part of the management of the estate:
- Sensible maintenance of ski slopes
- Areas of tranquility for black grouse and other sensitive species
- Enhancement of the natural spaces around the estate
Protecting the mountain together
Adopting the right gestures means preserving the mountain for future generations:
- Stay on the marked trails
- Do not disturb the animals
- Respect forests and sensitive areas
- Pick up your trash, even in the snow
- Prefer walking, snowshoeing or free shuttles
