A colorful
holiday
in Alpes-de-Haute-Provence
Mercantour National Park: discover exceptional flora and fauna
An exceptional territory with remarkable biodiversity, the Mercantour is one of France’s 11 national parks. During your camping holiday in the Ubaye valley, explore its picture-postcard landscapes and discover its flora and fauna! The wide-open spaces of the Mercantour are ideal for both family walks and long, challenging hikes. An opportunity to observe marmots, ibexes, golden eagles and bearded vultures.
In Barcelonnette, the Maison du Parc offers exhibitions and a wealth of resources to help you discover the Mercantour. Here you’ll find the full program of summer events!
An international starry sky reserve, the Mercantour Park also offers a breathtaking night-time spectacle. The exceptional preservation of the Ubaye valley, one of the few Alpine valleys never to have been industrialized, offers ideal conditions for stargazing. For an evening with your nose in the stars, head for the emblematic Bonette-Restefond site !
Mexico live from the Barcelonnette valley
Barcelonnette is one of the Ubaye valley’s most popular tourist destinations, and will give you more of a change of scene than any other village in the Alps.
The valley’s largest commune, just a few minutes from the Italian border, attracts visitors with its lively atmosphere, numerous shops and unique architectural heritage.
To soak up the atmosphere, head for Place Manuel. Around the fountain, colorful facades and café terraces face the massive Cardinalis Tower.
What makes Barcelonnette so special
Emblematic of the Alpine city, the Mexican villas are Barcelonnette’s trademark. They also bear witness to its history and that of its inhabitants. In the late 19ᵉ century, many of them emigrated to Mexico.
After making their fortune in trade or textiles, many have returned to their native villages.
They are the inspiration behind the atypical villas, with their Mexican-inspired architecture, that surprise visitors today.
