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National parks in France
France has 8 national parks in this guide. The oldest is Vanoise National Park (1963); the largest is Écrins National Park (918 km²).
Mercantour National ParkVallée des MerveillesAlpine valleys, lakes and Bronze Age rock engravings in south-east FranceMountainsLakesForestBest Jun–Sep
Calanques National ParkEn-VauSteep limestone bays and sea between Marseille and Cassis in southern FranceCoastKarstIslandsBest Apr–May, Oct
Vanoise National ParkDôme de l'ArpontAlpine ibex country in the Vanoise Massif, Savoie, French AlpsMountainsGlaciersMeadowsBest Jun–Sep
Écrins National ParkBarre des ÉcrinsHigh glacier peaks, alpine pastures and lakes in the Dauphiné Alps of southeastern FranceMountainsGlaciersLakesBest Jun–Sep
Cévennes National ParkAven ArmandMountains, limestone gorges and caves across southern France's CévennesMountainsGorgesCavesBest May–Jun, Sep–Oct
Port-Cros National ParkChâteau Sainte-AgatheIsland and sea park in the Hyères Islands east of ToulonIslandsCoastHistoryBest May–Jun, Sep–Oct
Forêts National ParkForêt d'Arc-en-BarroisBroad-leaved lowland forests on the Langres plateau in north-eastern FranceForestBest Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
Pyrénées National ParkCirque de GavarnieLimestone cirques, canyons and waterfalls along the French side of the PyreneesMountainsWaterfallsKarstBest Jun–Sep