8 National Parks to Explore in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

Checkout places to visit in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

The Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes administrative region covers an area of 69 711 km2 in the centre and east of the south of France. It is a collection of regions of diverse topographies, climates, natural resources, cultures, folklore, architecture, and languages.

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National Parks to Explore in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

Cévennes National Park

The Cévennes National Park is a national park located in southern France, in the mountainous area of Cévennes. Created in 1970, the park has its administrative seat in Florac at Florac Castle. It is located mainly in the départements of Lozère and Gard and covers some parts of Ardèche and Aveyron. The Aven Armand cave is located in the park. In 2011, the Park was made a part of The Causses and the Cévennes, Mediterranean agro-pastoral Cultural Landscape UNESCO World Heritage site.

Écrins National Park

Écrins National Park is one of the ten French national parks. It is located in the south-eastern part of France in the Dauphiné Alps south of Grenoble and north of Gap, shared between the départements of Isère and Hautes-Alpes. It rises up to 4,102 m at the Barre des Ecrins and covers 918 km2 of high mountain areas, with high peaks, glacier fields, glacier valleys, alpine pastures, subalpine woodlands, and lakes. One of the nice trekking destination and also rock climbing is possible here.

Massif de Chartreuse - Tourisme

Parc Naturel Régional de la Chartreuse is a regional nature park located in the region Rhône-Alpes between Chambéry, Grenoble, and Voiron, on the border of the departments of Isère and Savoie. It is based on the massif de la Chartreuse and covers an area of 76,700 hectares with a population of about 50,000. The park was established in 1995.

Parc naturel régional des Volcans d'Auvergne

The Auvergne Volcanoes Regional Natural Park is the largest Regional Natural Park in mainland France. This vast territory suitable for hiking includes four volcanic massifs, which are the chain of Puys, the Monts Dore, the Cézallier, and the Monts du Cantal, as well as an old granite plateau that is Artense. One of the nice trekking destination and also a nice camping spot too.

Parc naturel régional Livradois-Forez

Livradois-Forez Regional Nature Park stretches over the two Auvergne départements of Puy-de-Dôme and Haute-Loire. A network of hiking trails and quiet roads crisscrosses peaceful countryside alternating between conifer forests, green meadows, and high-altitude moors. The principal entry points for the park are Chateldon and Thiers to the north of the parc, Ambert, and Usson. There are also various small villages and hamlets to explore in the park and also there is also a wide range of wildlife

Pilat Natural Regional Park

Pilat Regional Nature Park covers around 72,000 hectares. An immense expanse with varied landscapes alternating between fir and beech forests, pastures, hillsides covered with vines, orchards... This preserved territory is home to many animals and plants. Nature-lovers and athletes will enjoy the various footpaths, mountain bike trails, and bridle paths.

Vanoise National Park

First National Park created in France in 1963 to protect Alpine ibexes, the National Park of Vanoise celebrates its 50 years. It is situated between the valleys of Tarentaise and Maurienne. No less than 1800 ibexes, 4000 chamois, and 120 species of birds can be found here as well as an exceptional native flora.

Vercors Regional Natural Park

The Vercors Regional Natural Park is a regional natural park created in 1970, straddling the departments of Drôme and Isère. The main features that constitute it are indissolubly linked to a geological adventure that founds the main lines of its landscape bringing together cliffs, plateaus, and gorges in an immediate environment of more modest plains and hills. One of the nice place to enjoy the natural beauty.

Map of National Parks to explore in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes