Alpes-Maritimes

We ascend to the Alpes-Maritime from the province’s capital, Nice. Already a great start.

The highlight of this mountain range is Parc Nationale du Mercantour. The road there follows spectacular scenery, and worth taking time and planning a picnic stop on the way along. The area of Mercantour National Park is 68,500 acres. The highest point is the 3,341 meter high peak, Gelas.

The park is wild and one of the most diverse in terms of very contrasting landscapes. Its geographical location near the Cote d’Azur, brings Mediterranean touches to these mountains. This is where the wolf naturally returned to France in 1992 when it crossed the park from Italy.

Except in winter, four mountain passes allow passage north of the Mercantour / Argentera mountain range. A 62 km long snowy barrier is visible from the shoreline in winter, threatening to cut off Italy from us. The highest pass is that of La Bonette, popular among cyclists, and regardless, an incredible pass to cross at 2,715 meters.

The three largest ski resorts of this district: Valberg, Auron, and Isola 2000 (I loved it!).

The village of Belvédère at the entrance to the magnificent Gordolasque Valley secretly holds great architectural riches. Many churches are decorated with murals and an altar adorned by primitive Nicoise painters.

A wonderous valley

The Valley of Wonders (Vallée des Merveilles) is a valley in Mercantour where more than 40,500 petroglyphs (rock engravings) have been found, dating to the Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Ages. Access to the valley only on foot: either on one exhausting day of 8-10 hours ascent and descent and back to the parking lot / starting point. Or split up for two days and spend the night in the Marveilles Cabin on the shores of the lake. The second option is highly recommended especially (and only of course) when the cabin is open in the summer.