France
Southern French Alps
Where the high Alps meet Provence — lavender valleys, medieval hilltop villages, and the dramatic Mercantour national park near the Mediterranean.
The Southern French Alps occupy a unique geographic and cultural position: high enough to have glaciated peaks and permanent snowfields, yet close enough to the Mediterranean to feel the warmth of Provence. The transition from alpine vegetation to Mediterranean scrub happens over just a few kilometres of descent, and the light — that legendary southern French light — transforms the landscape at every hour of day.
The Mercantour National Park, bordering Italy near Nice, is the jewel of this region. Its alpine core holds the Vallée des Merveilles, a UNESCO-listed site of over 40,000 Bronze Age rock engravings carved into glacier-polished rock faces at 2,000–2,700 m. Walking among these ancient markings is an extraordinary experience.
We combine high-altitude walking in Mercantour with time in the lower Verdon Gorge (the Grand Canyon of Europe), visits to the lavender plateau of Valensole, and exploration of the perched villages of the Var and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence.
Where We Go
Interactive map coming soon
Tour Highlights
- Trek the GR5 through the Mercantour National Park above Nice and the Côte d'Azur
- Walk the wild Vallée des Merveilles — 36,000 Bronze Age rock engravings
- Summit Aiguille Mercantour (3,128 m) above the French Riviera
- Discover the Queyras Natural Park — one of the sunniest corners of the Alps
- Walk from the snow-capped peaks down to lavender fields in a single day
Difficulty & Fitness
The southern French Alps offer extraordinary contrast — from glaciated terrain in the Écrins to gentle lavender plateaux. The GR5 stages are moderate; summit days require experience and fitness.
Where to Stay
Gîtes d'étape and shepherd's cabanes are the traditional choice in the Mercantour and Queyras. Larger towns like Gap and Barcelonnette have comfortable hotels as convenient bases.
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