A walk with the local animals
The Mercantour, a wild neighbour of Pra Loup
When we think of Pra Loup, we often think of skiing, hiking, grandiose landscapes. But what we sometimes forget is that just a stone’s throw from the resort hides one of the most beautiful wild territories in France: the Mercantour National Park. An open-air sanctuary, where animals live in complete freedom… if you know how to take the time to observe them.
This park is much more than a nature reserve: it is a real living territory, straddling the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and Alpes-Maritimes, where alpine and Mediterranean influences intersect. It is home to more than 9,000 animal species. Yes, nine thousand! Suffice to say that each walk is an opportunity to meet.
And here are some of them!
A jewel to be protected
But first, what is a national park? It is a protected territory, where we take care of both biodiversity and the reception of the public. It is divided into two areas: the “heart of the park”, which is strictly regulated, and the “adhesion area”, where you can walk more freely. Uvernet-Fours, the municipality of Pra Loup, has 46% of its territory in the heart of the park. That’s how much we live in contact with nature here.
And this history goes back a long way: in the nineteenth century, an Italian king (Victor-Emmanuel II) had already sensed the importance of protecting the local fauna. He forbade hunting in this territory to save the chamois. This first royal reserve became, much later, the Mercantour National Park, officially created in 1979.
One of my best hikes: The lakes of the Cayolle
To really connect with this nature, nothing beats a good walk. Head for the Col de la Cayolle, a few bends from Pra Loup. An accessible and peaceful hike of about 4 hours takes you to the high-altitude lakes. The setting? Alpine pastures, scree, torrents… and silence. The real thing. The one where you hear the wind, the cries of birds, the whistling of marmots.
With a little patience, you might come across:
- Marmots, always on the alert
- Ibexes perched on the ridges
- Chamois with light movements
- Golden eagles, soaring over the valleys
- Griffon vultures, impressive in their wingspan
- Ermines, fast as lightning
- Red frogs and midwife toads near wetlands
- Rare butterflies (swallowtails, moirés, checkerboards)
- Grey wolves? Maybe. Discreet and rare, they live here, but show very little.
The ibex
The ranger’s word: “The Mercantour is a refuge for all”
“What you have to understand is that we are invited here. The park is the home of animals. When you enter it, you have to adopt the right attitude: walk slowly, observe quietly, leave nothing behind. The Mercantour is a refuge for all, and our role as rangers is to ensure that this balance is respected.”
Mercantour National Park Guard
Some tips for a successful observation
- Take binoculars, but leave your drone at home
- Dress discreetly, avoid flashy colors
- Keep your distance: no need to approach to observe
Leaves no traces: no rubbish or disturbances
An experience to live in Pra Loup
Here in Pra Loup, the Mercantour is not just a neighbour. He is a companion on the road. Whether you’re on holiday or on a weekend, take the opportunity to take a break, get off the slopes and meet the silent inhabitants of the mountain. Those who live here, out of sight, but very close to us.
And which, sometimes, cross our path as long as we know how to slow down, look up… and listen.
Preserving the heart of the park: the rules to be respected
The heart of the Mercantour National Park is a strictly protected area. To continue to enjoy its beauty while preserving it, a few rules must be followed:
- It is forbidden to walk your dog, even on a leash
- No fire or barbecue
- No picking of flowers, plants or mushrooms
- No camping or bivouac (except 1 hour drive from a road, from 7 p.m. to 9 a.m.)
- No drone overflights
- Stay on the marked trails
Respecting these instructions means guaranteeing the tranquillity of the species that live there… and that of the next visitors! To find out more, visit the official website of the park
