France is one of the most visited countries in the world but while it is well known for its tourist attractions like the Eiffel Tower, le Louvre or the different castles, France has many beautiful landscape that are also wonderful. From the biggest dune to the largest Regional Natural Park in Europe, here are some of the most beautiful natural wonders to discover in France.
Dune of Pilat (Nouvelle-Aquitaine)
Between land and sea, the Dune du Pilat seems to emerge from nowhere, and has no equivalent in Europe. In fact it is the highest dune that you can find on the continent with its 106m in height! And it is just as impressive by its length since it extends over nearly 2.5 kilometers…
Verdon Gorge (Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur)
The Gorges du Verdon is a huge and magnificent canyon with a total length of 175 km. Resulting from the erosion of the Verdon river, it is considered as one of the most beautiful and the biggest canyon in Europe. From the top of the vertiginous cliffs, the views on the turquoise waters are spectacular. It is a perfect place for hiking, climbing and whitewater sports.
Etretat cliffs (Normandy)
Two hours from Paris, Étretat is a simple little seaside resort in Normandy, but its astonishing cliffs, among the most beautiful in Europe, form an absolutely exceptional natural site.The cliffs of Étretat were formed underwater, several million years ago. It inspires Monet and the impressionists. Maupassant and Hugo marveled at its majestic arches.
The Aiguilles de Bavella (Corse)
In the South-East of Corsica, the “Aiguilles de Bavella” are hidden not far from the city of Porto-Vecchio. The site is characterized by huge peaks of granite sculpted by erosion that rise towards the sky, revealing a palette of colors ranging from gray to ocher depending on the orientation of the sun.
Annecy Lake (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes)
The lake was formed about 18000 years ago, when the great glaciers in the Alps melted. It is now the second largest glacial lake in France. Known for its turquoise waters, Lake Annecy is one of the purest water in Europe. Over time, Lac d’Annecy grew to become one of the most important tourist attractions in the region, with its magnificent landscapes between lake and mountains allow people to enjoy a multitude of activities (canoeing, paddle, canyoning, hiking, paragliding …)
Calanques National Park (Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur)
The Calanques are among the most remarkable natural sites in France, located between Marseille, Cassis, and La Ciotat. Made of limestone rocks, this very particular geological formation offer an exceptional and unique landscape. Between pebble and fine sand beaches, small creeks and turquoise water, you will find 26 Calanques. Some of the park’s best known features include the Calanque de Sormiou, Calanque de Morgiou, Calanque de Port-Miou, Calanque de Sugiton…
Mont Blanc (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes)
Located between Italian and French territory, the Mont Blanc is undoubtedly the mythical summit of the Alps and remain the highest mountain in Europe. With its peak at 4,808 meters, it is the perfect place to admire fantastic high mountain landscapes, with its glaciers, its needles and its snowy peaks. Mont Blanc is also an emblematic destination for mountaineering and many mountain sports (skiing, sledding, paragliding…)
Natural Reserve of the Ardèche Gorges (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes)
The Natural Reserve of the Ardèche Gorges have been classified as a National Nature Reserve since 1980, protecting nearly 2,000 hectares of wilderness. Along the 22 km long canyon, shaped for nearly 110 million years, you can find several hundreds of listed natural cavities, magnificent natural beaches and a very rich biodiversity. The National Nature Reserve of the Gorges de l’Ardèche is a great place to explore for families, scientists or sportsmen!
Pink Granite Coast (Brittany)
The Pink Granite Coast is a coastline located in the department of Côtes d’Armor, in the north of Brittany, in France. It extends over more than thirty kilometers and is famous for its pink sands and its unusual rock formations. The Pink Granite Coast is a great place to take a stroll and enjoy this remarkably beautiful coastline along with its richi biodiversity!
Auvergne Volcanoes Regional Nature Park (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes)
Auvergne Volcanoes Regional Nature Park is the largest Regional Natural Park in Europe. It covers 395 000 hectares over two departments and its altitude varies between 400 and 1,886 meters. The park is made up of 5 mountainous regions, 4 of which are volcanic massifs. For nature lovers, the landscapes, between volcanoes and high altitude lakes nestled in craters, are breathtakingly beautiful, starting with the impressive Chaîne des Puys.
