Wilder wildlife holidays in the South of France!

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A new partnership between the Mercantour's Alpha Wolf Park in Le Boreon and the
Biological Reserve of the Monts d' Azur has just been forged. 

Alpha - as readers will know - houses wolves from Europe and most recently has taken delivery of three Canadian wolves (pictured above).   

The Monts d' Azur Reserve is just 30 minutes from Grasse, near to Thorenc.  

It is a huge reserve where guests can explore on foot or in a horse drawn carriage, and get up close and personal to European bison, Przewalski horses, deer, chamois and other species.  It's also possible to stay on site and enjoy various "packages" offered by the reserve.

In the first instance, visitors presenting a proof of purchase from one site will be able to gain a discount off their entry to the other site!!

A great day out for families.


Accommodation in the Mercantour - spacebetween in Berthemont les Bains


Image - courtesy of Alpha wolf park

Furry/feathered fauna in the Mercantour

It is excellent to see the cross border collaboration between the French and the Italians striving to achieve UNESCO world heritage site status for the National Parks and for other areas in the Alpes-Maritimes and Liguria/Piedmont.

In addition to the French Mercantour National Park web site there is also a site for the combined Parks,

with some English.

Even here in “sunny” – I wish – Berthemont - it has been very interesting recently to see a whole host of tracks left in the snow – badger, fox, deer, roe deer, wild boar and all manner of birdies…..owls a hooting too of course…..and currently all fed up of the Ark weather that the United Kingdom and Europe have been having….

Further afield in the Park itself, there is the equivalent of the Big 5 in Africa – if not quite so prestigious – but hey I’m happy to see ibex, chamois, wolves, golden eagles and lammageias – not bad for starters.  

The diversity extends to the micro too, with the presence of many hundreds of insect/invertebrate species which have been lurking around since the Ice Age and many of which are threatened.

Fun to spot a ptarmigan in the Northern stretches of the Park, as well as green lizards on its Southern boundaries…..

For anyone particularly keen on learning more – look here for a page in English about various topics relating to both National Parks – from where you can download pdf files – currently in French  and Italian only – am sure that Google translate would give a not bad version if your language skills are not tip top.

Want to get to grips with the Mercantour – contact the only British holiday company to be based here in the Mercantour – in the fine Vésubie valley.

Accommodation only or self guided/guided  walking holidays in France  - plus adventure holidays for the adrenaline orientated!!

www.space-between.co.uk

Liz Lord & Mel Jones

Berthemont les Bains