7 Best French National Parks To Visit For Their Stunning Beauty

If you’re looking for the most beautiful national parks in France, these seven rank at the top of my list after having visited all of France's National Parks: Écrins, Calanques, Mercantour, Cévennes, Vanoise, Pyrénées, and Port-Cros offer everything from snow-capped peaks and turquoise fjords to rugged coastlines, medieval villages, and wild, untouched valleys.

I’ve ranked each park based on its beauty, so let’s dive in and explore what makes these national parks must-visit destinations for nature lovers in France.

Écrins National Park

Rank #1: Most Beautiful National Park in France

Écrins National Park is an alpine paradise that feels straight out of a nature documentary. Towering over southeastern France, this national park is home to glaciers, jagged peaks, and high-altitude valleys where mountain goats roam and waterfalls crash into forested canyons. The hiking here is world-class, with trails ranging from easy river walks to multi-day glacier treks.

Whether you're photographing the dramatic Barre des Écrins or soaking in the view from a wildflower-filled meadow, this park delivers nonstop scenery.

Highlights

• Glacier Blanc — France’s most iconic glacier hike
• Barre des Écrins — the highest summit in the park
• Valley villages like Vallouise and La Grave
• Wildlife sightings: ibex, golden eagles, marmots

Activities & Tips

• Visit June–September for ideal trail conditions
• Bring layers—the weather can shift fast at altitude
• Stay in Briançon or the tiny Alpine villages nearby

Calanques National Park

Rank #2: Most Beautiful National Park in France

Calanques National Park is where Provence turns wild. This stretch of Mediterranean coastline between Marseille and Cassis is lined with fjord-like inlets—called calanques—carved into white limestone cliffs that plunge into the sea. Turquoise water, secret pebble beaches, and vertical hiking trails make this one of the most photogenic places in France.

And while it feels remote, the park is incredibly accessible for day trips, boat rides, or even a quick dip in a hidden cove before lunch in Cassis.

Highlights

• Calanque d’En-Vau — the poster child of the park
• Cliffside trails with epic views
• Sea caves, coves, and rock climbing spots
• Picture-perfect harbor in Cassis

Activities & Tips

• Bring water—shade is limited and summer heat is intense
• Kayak or take a boat tour to reach the most secluded calanques
• Base yourself in Cassis for charm and easy access

Mercantour National Park

Rank #3: Most Beautiful National Park in France

Mercantour National Park flies under the radar, but don’t let that fool you—it’s one of the most unique and diverse parks in France. Here, the Alps crash into the Mediterranean, creating a dramatic landscape of steep ridges, alpine lakes, and high-altitude meadows. It’s also home to the Vallée des Merveilles, where over 30,000 Bronze Age carvings are etched into the rock.

Add in a healthy population of wolves, ibex, and chamois—and you’ve got a national park that’s equal parts history, wilderness, and jaw-dropping scenery.

Highlights

• Vallée des Merveilles — ancient petroglyphs and high trails
• Lac d’Allos — the highest natural lake in Europe
• Wildlife: wild wolves, ibex, golden eagles
• Panoramic views of both mountains and sea

Activities & Tips

• Visit between June and early October
• Stay in Saint-Martin-Vésubie or Tende for best access
• Bring hiking poles—some trails are rugged and steep

Cévennes National Park

Rank #4: Most Beautiful National Park in France

Cévennes National Park is wild, timeless, and deeply tied to rural life in France. It’s the only national park in France with permanent residents, and you’ll find stone hamlets, terraced farms, and chestnut forests that haven’t changed in centuries. The landscape shifts from deep gorges and high ridgelines to sleepy valleys filled with rivers and stargazing spots.

It’s perfect for travelers who want to slow down, connect with nature, and explore a lesser-known side of the country that’s full of charm.

Highlights

• Gorges du Tarn — scenic cliffs and river trails
• Mont Lozère — peaceful ridgelines with panoramic views
• Florac and Le Pont-de-Montvert — beautiful old villages
• UNESCO-listed biosphere + dark-sky reserve

Activities & Tips

• Spring and autumn are best for mild weather and fewer crowds
• Rent a car—you’ll want to stop and explore every overlook
• Walk a section of the Stevenson Trail (GR70) for a literary twist

Vanoise National Park

Rank #5: Most Beautiful National Park in France

Vanoise National Park was the first national park ever created in France, and it’s still one of the most impressive. Nestled in the heart of the French Alps, it features more than 100 glaciers, crystal-clear lakes, and herds of ibex perched on ridgelines.

It’s a hiker’s dream, with well-maintained trails, backcountry huts, and alpine views that change around every bend. Unlike other alpine parks, Vanoise feels wild but accessible—ideal for both families and seasoned trekkers.

Highlights

• Glacier de la Vanoise and surrounding peaks
• Pralognan-la-Vanoise — a charming alpine base
• Marmots and wildflowers everywhere in summer
• Serene alpine lakes for picnic stops

Activities & Tips

• Plan a multi-day trek using the park’s refuges
• July and August offer peak conditions and trail access
• Pack for altitude—weather can drop quickly in the mountains

Pyrénées National Park

Rank #6: Most Beautiful National Park in France

Pyrénées National Park feels wilder and more rugged than its alpine counterparts. Stretching along the border with Spain, this park is packed with glacier-carved cirques, thundering waterfalls, and dense valleys where it’s just you and the mountains.

The Cirque de Gavarnie is the star attraction, but smaller valleys like Cauterets and Luz-Saint-Sauveur offer quieter trails and equally stunning views. If you’re into big scenery with fewer crowds, this is the spot.

Highlights

• Cirque de Gavarnie — UNESCO-protected glacial bowl
• Grande Cascade — one of Europe’s highest waterfalls
• Cauterets Hiking — beautiful town to make hiking base (lots of trails nearby)
• Tons of alpine wildlife

Activities & Tips

• June–October is ideal for most hiking routes
• You can wild camp in many areas if you're discreet
• Avoid weekends if visiting popular spots like Gavarnie

Port-Cros National Park

Rank #7: Most Beautiful National Park in France

Port-Cros National Park is unlike any other park in France—it’s an island. Located off the coast near Hyères, Port-Cros is a car-free escape where time slows down and nature takes over. Hike along rugged coastal trails, snorkel through underwater reserves filled with fish, or wander into an old fort as the waves crash nearby.

It’s the perfect contrast to France’s mountainous parks—a place where your biggest challenge is deciding which cove to explore next.

Highlights

• Underwater snorkel trails and coral gardens
• Forts and coastal paths with unreal sea views
• Birds and marine life everywhere
• Zero traffic, zero stress

Activities & Tips

• Take the ferry from Hyères or Le Lavandou
• Wear solid walking shoes—trails are rocky and unpaved
• Bring everything you need for the day—shops are limited