Wolf park Mercantour

At Saint Martin Vésubie in the Mercantour mountains (about 1.5 hours from nice), there is a (as much possible) natural wolf park called APLHA, nestled in the striking Boréon valley, where you will have many wolf watching opportunities.

In 1992, wolves naturally returned to France where they are destined to last. It all happened not far from here, in the Mercantour national park, only steps away from Saint Martin Vésubie, the locality in which ALPHA is implanted. The park gives refuge to 3 wolf packs.

Doing the visit

You buy an entrance ticket in a new building on the main road, from there you walk along a path to the gate. You get welcomed by a hostess that will explain briefly the locations. The park's walkable range is not that big so you can easily stroll around. There are picknick tables around the entrance and some under a roof. A small children park with hanging bridges and a little pet animal farm will give the children even more variation. There are several movie theaters giving you some more background of the wolves. Now it's time to walk to the backside of the area, for which you need to pass an additional gate (not sure why). Here are now several wooden observation shelters with windows. One of them is the ranger's cabin. Here you can get twice a day some additional information. They also hide food in the area, a sure bet you can see some wolves.

All in all its a very nice visit, well worth the travel. Recommended minimum stay is 2.5 hours.

There is as well more to see in the beautiful close surrounding. E.G. taking a hike or visiting Saint Martin Vésubie.