France features a notable variety of protected natural areas, showcasing the country’s geological and ecological richness. From Lake Allos in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence to the underground rivers of Padirac in Dordogne, from the mountain ranges of Savoy to the limestone formations of the Ardèche gorges, each region displays landscapes shaped over millennia of natural evolution. This collection gathers sites where nature is expressed freely: primary forests, karst systems, high-altitude lakes, moving dunes of the Atlantic coast, and rock formations carved by erosion. These areas provide diverse ecosystems, home to species adapted to different environments, from Alpine flora and fauna to dune communities and underground cave biodiversity. Each natural site in this selection serves as an open-air laboratory where geological processes, ecosystem dynamics, and living adaptation to local conditions can be observed. These sites invite discovery of authentic landscapes, removed from human impact, where geological time is evident in every rock formation and glacier valley.
France
Lake Allos is situated at 2,230 meters above sea level, covering 54 hectares, with a maximum depth of 48 meters. This mountain lake is the largest natural high-altitude lake in the French Alps.
Lot, France
Natural cave with 103-meter deep entrance and 40 kilometers of galleries where an underground river flows.
Ardèche, France
Volcanic mountain reaching 1551 meters in height where the Loire river originates at its base.
Lozère, France
Limestone canyon stretching 50 kilometers long and up to 500 meters deep where the Tarn River flows.
Lozère, France
This limestone plateau extends across 340 square kilometers and sits at an elevation of 1000 meters above sea level.
Île-de-France, France
A historical forest area with sandstone formations, extending over 25000 hectares and containing numerous hiking trails.
Grand Est, France
The nature reserve covers 3000 square kilometers with mountain peaks, forests, lakes and traditional villages in the Vosges.
Provence, France
A wetland in the Rhône delta with salt meadows, rice fields and lagoons, covering 100000 hectares.
Corsica, France
A group of granite peaks reaching 1900 meters in southern Corsica with distinct needles and climbing routes.
Lot, France
This cave, discovered in 1922, contains over 700 prehistoric rock drawings from the Paleolithic period, including mammoths and dotted horses.
Ariege, France
A glacial valley in the Pyrenees featuring 500-meter vertical rock faces. The basin contains multiple waterfalls and mountain meadows.
Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France
The protected area covers 17000 hectares on plateaus between 1600 and 2300 meters. Chamois and marmots inhabit this alpine environment.
Hautes-Alpes, France
An alpine national park with 150 mountains above 3000 meters and 100 glaciers, covering 91800 hectares.
Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France
This 110-meter-high sand formation extends for 2.7 kilometers and moves inland 1-5 meters annually.
Aveyron, France
A horseshoe-shaped canyon with 100-meter limestone walls formed by erosion from the Dourdou River.
Occitanie, France
Nature reserve with 2000 plant species, granite peaks, forests and medieval villages across 91,000 hectares.
Aude, France
A natural water well with green water reaches a depth of 20 meters. The surroundings consist of Mediterranean vegetation.
Brittany, France
The 7000-hectare forest consists mainly of oak and beech trees. Medieval legends connect it with King Arthur.
Auvergne, France
The volcanic chain extends over 45 kilometers with 80 volcanoes. The last eruption occurred 6000 years ago.
Lozère, France
The park hosts a herd of 30 European bison in a 200-hectare natural area with pine and beech trees.
Hauts-de-France, France
The 134-meter chalk cliffs are part of the English Channel geological structure. Visitors can observe the English coast from this point.
Rhône-Alpes, France
Metal footbridge 25 meters above the river leads through a gorge 40 meters deep.
Normandy, France
The island measures 28 hectares and contains military fortifications from the 17th century. Visitors can walk there during low tide.
Corsica, France
Marine and land reserve covering 1919 hectares with red volcanic rocks emerging from the sea.
Ariège, France
Underground water system stretching 1500 meters with boat navigation through tunnels and caves.
Haute-Savoie, France
The peak is located in a protected area of the French Alps where bearded vultures nest and feed on bones.
Ille-sur-Têt, Pyrénées-Orientales, France
Sandstone columns created by wind and rain erosion. These rock formations reach 12 meters in height and display reddish and gray mineral layers.
Peyzac-le-Moustier, Dordogne, France
A kilometer-long limestone wall with five levels of caves inhabited from prehistory through the Middle Ages.
Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France
A wetland with canals between ash and poplar trees extending over 112,000 hectares.
Brittany, France
The rocky headland rises 72 meters above the Atlantic Ocean and offers wide views across the sea.
Ardèche, France
The cave system extends over 57 kilometers and contains underground lakes, stalactites and prehistoric rock drawings.
Pyrénées-Orientales, France
The water channel has steep rock walls of 500 meters height and a narrow path for hikers.
Pyrénées-Atlantiques, France
The valley contains several mountain lakes, waterfalls and hiking trails through the green mountain meadows of the Pyrenees.
Lot, France
Medieval town built on a 150-meter limestone cliff featuring seven religious buildings and a 14th-century castle.
Savoie, France
Mountain park with 107 peaks above 3000 meters, glaciers and alpine meadows, protected since 1963.
Savoie, France
Three sedimentary rock peaks between 3358 and 3514 meters high in the Arves Massif.
Haute-Savoie, France
This 90-meter waterfall is located in the Giffre Valley. It can be reached by a marked trail from the village of Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval.
Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France
This narrow creek is surrounded by 100-meter limestone cliffs. The turquoise water forms a natural beach accessible by boat or on foot.
Hautes-Pyrénées, France
Circular geological formation with 1500-meter high walls and a 423-meter waterfall. The site belongs to UNESCO World Heritage.
Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, France
Mountain road at 2715 meters altitude in Mercantour National Park. It connects the Ubaye and Tinée valleys.