We decided spend one longer weekend in the mountains so we took a picnic basket and set off for the mountains… to meet the WOLVES!!!
Leaving the Riviera’s famous city Nice, we drive north for more than an hour towards the Mercantour National Park (since 1979), one of 10 National Parks. We pass through the historical town of Saint-Martin Vésubie and rise up to a level of 1.500m above sea levels. There is an outstanding nature around us and we can also notice how much colder it gets here. The temperature drops down by 12 degrees, from initial 20°C to only 8°C within just half an hour drive!
DO YOU KNOW that – the wolves live in packs of approximately 5-11 individuals. Usually the pack is led by an “alpha” couple that lives in monogamy for their entire life and has 5-6 cubs every spring. They feed on deer, wild pigs, but doesn’t refuse a fox, badger or a snake… It usually needs about 1-2kg of meat a day. Except humans, they do not really have any predators in wild nature…
The ALPHA STATION that we visited was built in 1992. The wolf pack has their unique and natural conditions all present here… It is built in a sensible way, so that visitors can feel secure but can’t disturb them. We have arrived in the afternoon and therefore missed out on the feeding. Nonetheless, we can watch the “siesta” and the heating of the wolf pack under the pleasant October sun. At the entrance, we are getting informed about the daily program and about how we should behave in this area (there is a special kids program in the afternoon). On the educational track that takes around 2h, we learn all about a wolf’s life and their behavior… by the way, the station supplies “extra” wolves to other reserves.
On the picnic spot, families unpack their “baskets” while children play on the playground. Right next to it we find a “farm”, an original countryside construction where both children and adults can feed rabbits and sheep, possibly pick up the hens’ eggs. This entire place is really thought through in an entertaining way for children, this is why we can only see families around us. A fine place for a relaxing family TRIP!
Next day we discovered another fantastic place – ALLOS. From this lovely village (1425 m above sea level that is located on the edge of the Mercantour National Park and that is in winter very famous and popular ski-center) we enjoyed several full day and half day hiking tour. Our favorite one was to the ALLOS LAKE – 2.228m, which is the LARGEST NATURAL high altitude mountain LAKE in Europe! We were lucky because the weather was still so nice …and the flora was still rich and varied.
And in the end if you are still not tired?! I could recommend another trip from ALLOS – to the ROCHE GRANDE (2.409m), totally denuded of vegetation and you can overlooks the village and other top of mountains around you…endless, peaceful and refreshing for EVERYBODY!
mihrank
incredible – beautiful images – well deserved!
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Kamila Pala
Thank you! 🙂 We had lovely time…it was original and photogenic location! Bye. K.
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daniellajoe
Thanks for the trip!!! This place sounds like a fun place. Beautiful Nature 🙂
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Kamila Pala
Pleased you liked that, Daniella! Very refreshing places 🙂 Bye. Kamila
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joylovestravel
Looks gorgeous, we have a trip planned to Nice next spring, didn’t know about this area but looks like somewhere we would love!
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Kamila Pala
That is a good idea! I recommend you to rent a car and to make a trip around the Riviera…my tip are very famous villages – St. Paul de Vence or Grasse 🙂 bye. Kamila
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lolaWi
What a lovely trip, Kamila! Allos village is very picturesque! You take beautiful pictures. Thanks for sharing 🙂
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Kamila Pala
Thanks, Lola! The French Riviera is known for its beautiful beaches…but if you make a trip to the nearby mountains…you are pleasantly surprised :)! Have a nice weekend. K.
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maverickbird
Wow. That’s a lovely post. Loved the wolf packs. Beautiful photos. Thank you for sharing.
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Kamila Pala
Thanks, Svetlana! Nice compliment :). Honestly, the Alpha Station was really unique…Bye. Lovely weekend. Kamila
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Sue Slaght
Oh Kamila I wish I would have known about this . We were in Nice for four days recently and I would have loved such a day trip. I am happy to see your wonderful photos here and to experience it that way.
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Kamila Pala
It is really a pity!!! But I am glad if you liked my post. 🙂
K.
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darwinontherocks
That’s awesome to have been able to see wolves !! wow
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Kamila Pala
Yes, really unforgettable experience! K.
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cindy knoke
Glorious!!! ❤
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Kamila Pala
Thank you, Cindy!
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Linda Arthur Tejera
The wolves are so beautiful and fascinating creatures. Your photos of the park are fabulous. It looks like an amazing place to visit. 🙂
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Kamila Pala
Thanks, Linda! Nice comment. I admire family wolves life 🙂
Lovely day. K
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Vasilis Meschinis
Thank you so much for sharing this great experience Kamila! Wolves are fantastic animals. I have always admired them.
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Kamila Pala
Hi, Vasilis! I am glad you enjoyed my new post! Beautiful nature gives us energy, every time :).
Nice day. Kamila
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Lucia
this looks incrediblee!!
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Kamila Pala
Yes, Lucia….and peaceful and refreshing :).
Bye. K.
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Sartenada
Thank You for this interesting post and wonderful photos. This was totally new to me. In Finland we have wolves about 800. Last time wolf killed man In the 1880’s.
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Kamila Pala
Hi, Sartenada! Many thanks for nice comment and small info about wolves in your homeland 🙂 I would like to visit Finland, one day…have a lot of good friends there and the nature is really amazing! 🙂 Nice day. K.
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prior
Looks like you had a great time 🙂
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Rolling Harbour
Wolves! What a wonderful place. This goes on The List forthwith! RH
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Kamila Pala
I was surprised, the place was so original and peaceful..
🙂
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Indah Susanti
Wow..beautiful nature and the wolves are amazing!
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Kamila Pala
Yes, Indah! Absolutely fantastic nature! I like also many stories and legends about the wolves. 🙂 K.
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jmsabbagh
Delightful trip ,the article and the pictures.My wife and l were in France 2009 ,gorgeous country.Thank you Kamila for liking my recent post.Best wishes.
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Kamila Pala
Thank you! Pleased you enjoyed “my” trip between the wolves 🙂
Bye. K
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Amy
Thank you for taking us there, Kamila. Love the mix of the photos, water, mountains, animals, and bee! 🙂 How beautiful!
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Kamila Pala
Thank you, Amy! Very kind comment! And I am glad if you like my “design”! 🙂 BTW, the “bee” shot is one of my favorite. Bye. K.
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oururbanwilderness
We tend to forget that France has high mountains!! Lovely to come along on your road trip through your camera, and scenic shots. We hear that the wolves in Europe generally are making a come back, it’s good to know that there are protected wilderness areas for them. Great post.
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Kamila Pala
Thank you for kind words! Good to know that you liked it 🙂 And yes, France has no only vineyards but a lot of beautiful landscape…
Bye and lovely weekend. K.
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megdekorne
Hi Kamila …I’m fascinated by wolves ( my spirit totem ) … Beautifully written post ..thankyou xx
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Kamila Pala
Thank you very much :)! The humans and wolves…that is a really long history, yes, fascinating! And when we discovered ALPHA Station it was great surprise!
Bye. Kamila
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Bespoke Traveler
Mercantour National Park looks like a beautiful park.
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Kamila Pala
Oh yes, very popular nature park – around 800.000 visitors per year 🙂 !
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Margaret Lynette Sharp
Tweeted
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Kamila Pala
Thank you, Margaret :)!
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Margaret Lynette Sharp
Stunning photos!
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anotherday2paradise
How wonderful to be so close to these gorgeous animals! Thanks for sharing your experience and the great photos. 🙂
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Kamila Pala
You are welcome :)! Really great experience! Bye. Kamila
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joserasan66
Una Serie Impresionante, Realmente Unos Paisajes Muy Hermossos… Dan Ganas De Salir Y Dar Un Paseo Por Ellos… Un Saludo.
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Kamila Pala
Muchas Gracias 🙂 Bye. Kamila
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Sara
Fascinating post, I didn’t know about this. Beautiful photos 🙂
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Kamila Pala
Thanks,Sara! I like beautiful nature…and combination with animals is really unforgettable experience 🙂 !
Bye. Kamila
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Eli Pacheco
Definitely tweet-worthy, liked and followed. We have wolves living in the wild nearby. I’d much rather see them in a park like this!
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Kamila Pala
Thank you very much for a nice comment 🙂 Bye K.
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lorriebowden
Stunning! I really loved going on this journey with you! Thanks! 🙂
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Kamila Pala
Many thanks, pleased you liked that :)! Bye. Kamila
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Dalo 2013
Wonderful post Kamila, wolves are some of the most gallant creatures in the wild ~ incredible photos and write up. Wish you a nice weekend!
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Kamila Pala
Thank you 🙂 ! Really nice trip. Have a nice weekend. K
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M E Cheshier
Fabulous post! Thanks so much for sharing
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M E Cheshier
Reblogged this on Travels with Mary and commented:
Incredible!
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Kamila Pala
Thank you! 🙂
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M E Cheshier
You are very welcome!
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Kamila Pala
Pleased you liked that 🙂 Real contact with wild nature. Bye. Kamila
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Bams Triwoko
Beautiful panorama… very well captured… 🙂
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Kamila Pala
Thanks a lot! Fantastic piece of nature 🙂 Bye. K
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rodi (Rob and Diane)
awesome post; didn’t know they had wildlife in Europe at all
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Kamila Pala
Thank you! 🙂 I am always surprised how many beautiful places exists in all the world…
Bye. K
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Margaret Lynette Sharp
Lovely post : just tweeted it!
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Margaret Lynette Sharp
Tweeted again 🙂
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The Zero-Waste Chef
Your pics are beautiful. I want to go!
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Kamila Pala
Thank you, you are so welcome! 🙂 Good to know – during the winter season the park is closed! Bye. K
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Girl Gone Expat
What an amazing national park! And great pictures of the wolves! We did a road trip in out of France/North west Italy some years ago. I had no idea this place existed at that time or we would have visited for sure! I never miss an opportunity to visit wolves:)
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Cathy
Wonderful photos, the more protected ares for the wolves the better.
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Kamila Pala
Thank you, Cathy 🙂
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RMW
Lucky wolves to be living in that area.
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Kamila Pala
Agree with you…there is really beautiful area for living even for people 🙂 Bye. K
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Adrenaline Romance
That is definitely a lovely national park! Must be a great place for hiking and camping!
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Kamila Pala
Oh, yes -it is fantastic place! You can visit this place – anytime 🙂 Bye. K
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