The Préalpes d'Azur Regional Natural Park

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The Préalpes d’Azur Regional Natural Park

France’s 48th Regional Natural Park was born in the “Préalpes d’Azur”, in the first foothills of the western Alpes-Maritimes, between the French Riviera and the mountains.
In the heart of the protected areas of the Alpine Arc, the “Préalpes d’Azur” are part of a virtually continuous complex made up of protected natural areas between Camargue and Italy.

This territory in the Western hinterland of the Alpes-Maritimes groups 45 communes and 31,270 inhabitants, connecting nationally and internationally recognised areas of heritage.

The Regional Natural Park label is granted only to truly exceptional territories - 14% of French territory - and the Prealps easily fit the bill from this standpoint.

Indeed, it is remarkable for its biodiversity, with over 2,000 species of plants alone, 2/3 of French flora. It also offers a prodigious diversity of landscapes, including karstic plateaux, gorges, clues, terraced landscapes with perched villages overlooking the valleys.
Its rich cultural heritage reveals the history of Man’s relationship with Nature.

www.pnr-prealpesdazur.fr

Characteristics of the Préalpes d’Azur Regional Natural Park

• 31,270 inhabitants
• 88,940 hectares
• 48th PNR in France
• 6th PNR in the PACA Region
• Over 2,000 plant species, i.e. approximately 1/3 of French flora
• 1,952 cavities, 137km subterranean galleries
• Watershed of the French Riviera
• 45 authentic villages
• One of the largest pastoral zones in the Alpes-Maritimes

What is a Regional Natural Park?

A Regional Natural Park (PNR) is an inhabited territory featuring a remarkable endangered heritage whose value is recognised on a national or international level, where local players - elected officials, associations, socio-professional or institutional partners - are organised to implement a sustainable global development project for its protection, management and development.
With the first PNRs created in 1968, there are 48 Regional Natural Parks in France to date.

5 main missions:
1. Protecting the heritage through appropriate management of natural environments and landscapes;
2. Contributing to development of the territory;
3. Contributing to economic, social, cultural development and the quality of life;
4. Greeting, educating and informing the public;
5. Undertaking experimental or exemplary actions in the these fields and contributing to research programmes.