라 볼렌 베수비‬에서 가장 멋진 ‪13‬개의 천연기념물

Beautiful view of the Maritime Alps

Very pretty trail and grandiose landscapes. Be careful, in the Vallée des Merveilles, metal-tipped sticks are prohibited.

Impressive valley that is crossed to reach the Col de Baisse de Valmasque. We walk through the Valley of Wonders among landscapes of colored stones polished by glaciers (the “Ciappe”), dotted with mountain lakes. The emblematic Valley of Wonders, with a mineral appearance, offers its austere and chaotic beauty to visitors, while Fontanalba is greener and is home to flora that reveals all its richness. As for animals, protected fauna is also very present in these places that, remember, belong to the Mercantour National Park. Classified as a Historical Monument since 1989, the archaeological area of the rock engravings of Mont Bégo, halfway between the Merveilles Valley and the Fontanalba Valley, thus constitutes the probable moving testimony of an ancient cult.

The Pas de l'Arpette (2511 m) is the gateway to the Merveilles Valley, from Vésubie. Effort and beautiful emotions guaranteed. From the Gordolasque car park, cross the Countet bridge (1692 m) and turn right at milestone 412, in the direction of Pas de l'Arpette (2511 m), which you reach after crossing the Empuonrame valley. Then we can move to the Merveilles Valley, which can be visited in the company of a guide approved by the Mercantour National Park to observe the more than 40,000 rock carvings, the oldest dating back to the Copper Age and the beginning of the Bronze Age. . Age. The return is made by the same route.

Located west of Mont Bego and at more than 2,000 m above sea level, the Vallée des Merveilles offers the austere beauty of a mineral and chaotic landscape, at the foot of imposing peaks reflected in multiple lakes with evocative names. There are particularly emblematic engravings, depicting themes that combine everyday life and beliefs. On the eastern slope of Mount Bego, the Fontanalba valley shows its engraved rocks in an open and welcoming place where the flora reveals all its richness. The engravings illustrate the pastoral life of the first shepherds of the Neolithic and Bronze Age, as demonstrated by the famous “sacred path”. Classified as a Historical Monument since 1989, the archaeological area of the Mont Bego rock engravings, straddling the two valleys, offers numerous discoveries, both historical and landscape, natural and cultural: welcome to one of the largest rock engraving sites in Europe . !

From Mangiabo!

To reach Mount Mangiabo from Camp d'Argent, just follow a ridge line for just over 12 kilometres. It's a real treat on the way, which literally gives you wings when you walk it. This summit, which bears an Italian-sounding name, is the last peak of the Mercantour massif that you encounter, before beginning the descent towards Sospel.

In this ancient glacial valley overlooked by Mount Bego, there is an invaluable archaeological treasure. All around you 40,000 engravings, mostly dated around 3,300 BC, are spread over more than 4,000 rocks. These imprints of a bygone past extend between 1,900 and 2,700 meters above sea level over a total area of 17 km². The Valley of Wonders is the largest rock carving site in Europe!