Vanoise National Park
| Vanoise National Park | |
|---|---|
| Parc national de la Vanoise | |
 Grande Casse (3855 m), highest summit of Vanoise | |
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| Location | Savoie, France |
| Nearest city | Modane Bourg-Saint-Maurice |
| Coordinates | 45°20′N 6°50′E / 45.333°N 6.833°ECoordinates: 45°20′N 6°50′E / 45.333°N 6.833°E |
| Area | 534 km2 (206 sq mi) |
| Established | 6 July 1963 |
| Governing body | Parcs nationaux de France |
Vanoise National Park (French: Parc national de la Vanoise) is a French national park between the Tarentaise and Maurienne valleys in the French Alps, containing the Vanoise massif. It was created in 1963 as the first national park in France.
The Vanoise National Park is in the département of Savoie. Small villages like Champagny-le-Haut, Termignon, La Chiserette, Bramans, Sollières-Sardières, Friburge, Pralognan-la-Vanoise and Séez, lie near the park. The park is bordered by several large French ski resorts (Les Trois Vallées, Tignes, Val-d'Isère, Les Arcs, La Plagne).
On the Italian side of the border, the park is continued by the Gran Paradiso National Park. Together, these two parks cover over 1250 km², making the area the largest alpine national park.
Wildlife[]
The park is well known for its population of Alpine ibex (Capra ibex), bouquetin in French, which is its emblem. The alpine chamois, like the ibex, spend most of the year above the tree line. They descend the snow line in early spring and late fall to enjoy the grass uncovered by the ice and snow. Alpine marmot, wolf, Eurasian lynx, mountain hare, Eurasian badger, ermine and weasel are the other mammals commonly present in Vanoise.
There are more than 100 bird species in the protected area. Birds of prey include bearded vulture, golden eagle and Eurasian eagle-owl. Other birds found in the park are black woodpeckers, rock ptarmigans, Alpine accentors, nutcrackers, choughs and black grouses. The wallcreeper is found on steep cliffs especially for nesting.
Ibex on rocky ridgeline
See also[]
- Vanoise Massif
External links[]
Media related to Vanoise National Park at Wikimedia Commons
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- IUCN Category II
- National parks of France
- Geography of Savoie
- Protected areas established in 1963
- Tourist attractions in Savoie
- Protected areas of the Alps
- Savoie geography stubs
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