Our Mercantour holidays & tours
Grab a peaceful piece of French emptiness; Mercantour National Park, containing some of Europe’s lesser-known alpine scenery, lies just inland from the French Riviera. It’s a stunning walking destination, with wildflower-filled valleys and steep mountains, and it contains some 40 endemic species of plant, as well as wolves and golden eagles. The good weather and established paths mean that it’s great for self-guided walking, and you can lose a few days rambling between glacial lakes across the six valleys. Whilst you might enjoy the peace, know that our Mercantour holidays are working to prevent further rural depopulation in the area, by supporting local lodges, gites, and other businesses – so that it doesn’t get too quiet here.
Mercantour family walking holiday, France
Walk with a donkey to discover the Southern French Alps
From
€695 to €775
6 days
ex flights
Mercantour centre-based walking holiday, French Alps
Multiactivities for family, French Alps, ecolodge and yurt
From
€610 to €710
7 days
ex flights
Mercantour walking holiday in France
Walking tour in Southern French Alps - Bags Transport by car
From
€695 to €775
6 days
ex flights
Contact Us
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Mercantour National Park map & highlights
Mercantour National Park is about 150km in length, follows the Italian border and covers two French départements: Alpes-Maritimes and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence. Picture a massif with six valleys emanating from it, home to just 18,000 residents scattered through small villages that feel untouched by time. The Mercantour does go back forever in time, however, with prolific evidence of Bronze Age settlements in the Vallée des Merveilles, where 37,000 visible petroglyphs are one reason the Mercantour is awaiting UNESCO World Heritage status. And yet it has escaped mass tourism. No big hotels, no resorts – just real life and Alpine gîtes. Probably thanks to being upstaged by the Riviera. Which may, of course, just have wanted to keep its most glistening jewel locked away in a box. Here’s a quick flash of its beauty.
1.
Gorges de Daluis
2. Lac d’Allos
3. Lacs des Millefonts
4. La Vallée des Merveilles
5. Plateau d’Authion
6. Saint Martin Vésubie
7. Walking
8. Wolf tracking
2. Lac d’Allos
3. Lacs des Millefonts
4. La Vallée des Merveilles
5. Plateau d’Authion
6. Saint Martin Vésubie
7. Walking
8. Wolf tracking
Gorges de Daluis
1. Gorges de Daluis
A 6km-long canyon formed by the River Var, its red glow is thanks to the sandstone, iron oxide and copper mix. It runs north to south from Guillaumes to the small town of Daluis, where houses cling onto the valley slopes. With canyoning and climbing opportunities, following waymarked ways by foot is the sumptuously slow way to revel in the gorge’s magnificent rock formations, waterfalls and dramatic drops.
Lac d’Allos
2. Lac d’Allos
The largest natural glacier lake in Europe at this altitude (2,220m). In the shadow of Mont Pelat, there are a number of hikes possible to this stunning waterfront, such as the one from Allos village, about six hours there and back. The trails are busy during summer weekends, but if you stay at the lake’s mountain refuge hut there, you’ll have it all to yourselves at sunrise.
Lacs des Millefonts
3. Lacs des Millefonts
Four gorgeously glacial lakes close enough to take on a circuit of all four if you wish. Named simply Lac Gros, Lac Petit, Lac Rond and Lac Long, the walks are not too challenging. Keen hikers can conquer nearby Col de Barn at 2,452m as well, with stunning views out to other peaks and across the Italian border. Following traditional shepherds’ trails, this is still rich, undulating (and uplifting) land.
La Vallée des Merveilles
4. La Vallée des Merveilles
Translated as the Valley of Marvels, it’s not only a stunning landscape but also home to the largest quantity of Bronze Age petroglyphs in Europe. Right there, on the rocks, tens of thousands of ancient drawings. It is thought that the people of the time worshipped the mountain that dominates the area, Mont Bégo, with an ancient meaning of divine. The Merveilles Museum in Tende is also worth a visit for more details.
Plateau d’Authion
5. Plateau d’Authion
The Alpes Maritimes have a military history, dating back to Napoleonic times but also as recent as WW2. On treks around this region, you can visit a series of forts and remains of military buildings, or you can seek more a pacifist route into nature and take on part of the Authion Massif Circuit, with views across both mountainous and Mediterranean marvels. A popular cycling route, too.
Saint Martin Vésubie
6. Saint Martin Vésubie
Gorgeous gateway to the Mercantour National Park, starting point for many hikes and new found favourite for climbers and canyoners. Pilgrims pass through en route to the sacred shrine and sanctuary of Madone de Fenestre. And for those devoted to alpinism, it’s a starting and mountain refuge point for summiting Cime le Gélas (3,143m) the highest peak in the Alpes Maritimes, or less challenging Cime de l’Agnellière at 2,700m.
Walking
7. Walking
There are 600km of waymarked ways here. With six valleys emanating from the main Mercantour massif, there is a vast choice of routes. Conquer cols such as the Col du Barn, or take less challenging walks through canyons such as the Gorges de Daluis or around Alpine lakes. Walking the traditional way, with a donkey to carry your bags from gîte to gîte is a top way to meander through the Mercantour.
Wolf tracking
8. Wolf tracking
Having been hunted into extinction in the past, wolves reappeared in the wild here in the 1990s. There is now a small population in the Mercantour National Park and wolf tracking is a wonderful way to combine walking with wildlife. Check out Alpha Wolf Park in Le Boréon for more information and to see some of the wolves in their care, too.
Our Mercantour holidays reviews
5
13Mercantour holidays reviews
Jo Mourant31 Aug 2025
The trekking and the incredible sceneryread more
Alison Davies08 Jun 2025
Excellent, we were so well looked after, everyone was welcoming and the experience was user friendly. It is a well run operation and will guaranteed you have a lovely adventure.read more
Ruth Dils23 Sep 2024
Challenging hikes in the Maritime Alps with stunning panoramic views, unspoilt countryside. We enjoyed stopping at streams to refresh and cool down, having picnic lunches in beautiful locations. Everyone was friendly and helpful. read more
Anna Mauer02 Jul 2024
We had so many memorable moments, our hosts were lovely and the donkey was
the best. But the views on the way from place to place took our breath away. read more
