The most beautiful natural sites to discover France

Discovered in 1922, the cave of the Pech-Merle is one of the dozens of outdoor and indoor caves that extend over a dozen kilometers on the commune of Cabrerets. It is the only open public. It combines exceptional geological formations and well-preserved prehistoric works. His engravings and paintings offer a real insight into the life of men 20,000 years ago. The cave is visited freely or with a guide, and offers exhibitions and documentary film to better understand the history of the site. Attention, in July and August it is best to book in advance because the number of seats is limited.

Tariff: 13 €, 8 € for children.

Duration: free.

Difficulty: easy.

In the south-west of Chateauroux, the municipality of Saint-Maur also has an exceptional green setting on the edge of the Indre. This Green Casting consists of two green spaces, the Board of Planks and the Meadow Bonnet, as well as two blue spaces, the Lac lake (which you can walk on foot or by bike) and the Nasty Pond. A lot of hiking trails also go through the park, including the GR 46. See also: The Planches castle, located next to the park of the same name.

Tariff: free.

Duration: 1 h.

Difficulty: .

The green Coulée Coulée is a vast expanse of greenery in the very heart of the municipality of Chateauroux. On the edge of the Indre, it connects the Petit Valencay hippodrome to the south at the Écoparc des Chenevieres in the north. The Casting crosses the hill Saint-Gildas where you can visit Raoul Castle, to which the city owes its name and identity, as well as the park Balsan which houses the castle of the same name. Further north, you will pass through the public garden and the Jardin garden before reaching the park Daniel Bernardet and the Lake of Belle Isle. All this nature will let you forget the proximity of the city! This route is borrowed by the GR 46, which runs across the department over 125 km.

Tariff: free.

Duration: 1 h.

Difficulty: .

Maison de la Nature is within the Natural reserve of Chérine, just at the bottom of the pond of Cistudes. At the summer, you will have the chance observe these small freshwater tortoises like various birds like the purple heron. You will on the spot find several services to appreciate your immersion in this splendid territory. Binoculars are proposed in daily rental or half-day and a à la carte large size to the 1/25 000 of the Regional nature park of Brenne is available. Guided tours and receptions at the observatory make it possible to decipher the nature which is offered to you of an enlightened eye. La Maison of nature, it is also a natural bookstore with works naturalists, beautiful books, handbooks of educations, novels or whodunnits on nature and of the books youth as of 3 years. Temporary exhibitions animate each season. A place which also lends itself to have a break time to take a hot drink and organic!

Between the municipalities of Hanouard and Grainville-la-Teinturière, the Low Waters are a green area preserved by the conservation work of the Community of Municipalities on the coast of Alabaster. Located 15 km from the coastline, the site is accessible to all (hikers, hikers, cyclists, riders…). On 50 hectares, in the heart of the Durdent valley, this natural area of ecological interest, faunistique and floristic offers a pleasant promenade consisting of wet meadows, wood and ponds. Many remarkable species evolve like the small Polish horses Konig Polski or Highland Cattle, these Scottish cows with long red hairs, which contribute to the upkeep of the prairies and bring a rustic touch to the landscape. Visits are arranged by appointment to explore the site with a facilitator.

The route of the upper Meuse valley goes to the great figures of history such as Louise Michel, the brothers Goncourt and Camille Flammarion. Goncourt is initially a village, halfway between the Meuse and Lorraine. The Meuse takes its source in Pouily-en-Bassigny at 409 meters above sea level. Enjoy the beautiful scenery around the nascent river. In just a few tens of kilometers, you will discover a whole local heritage. We go to Fresnoy, we make a hook up to Morimond Abbey before returning to Choiseul and his beautiful twelfth century church. A passage through the site of the Mothe, then we find the downstream Meuse to go back to the D 74. Goncourt, then Bourmont, after a small detour by Vroncourt-la-Côte to salute Louise Michel, Clefmont and then Montigny-le-Roi. The chief of the Val has a heavy past. Property of the Count of Champagne, he sees a castle in xiiie, becomes Montigny-le-Roi when his lord is crowned king of Navarre.

This artificial lake, like those of the Orient and the Temple, offers this undeniable asset to be warm, with a sandy beach, and wild, which makes it one of the most beautiful. A picnic design completes the whole. Motonautism is also at the heart of it, it is even the largest lake in Europe for this sport but from May 1 you can also start fishing in pike. The smaller than that of the Dawn, it offers a leisure base and a port of 240 seats. 200 locations are reserved for vehicles, with rings for trailers. Everything is thought of here for holidaymakers: Sumptuous, bars, bakeries and small rental accommodation in order to relax away from the city, with all the comfort. The fishermen will also find their happiness and the Vélovoie offers access to the other lakes while cycling. Those who enjoy the jet will be equally satisfied. Indeed, if the speed is limited to 60 km/h on the whole site, an unlimited circuit allows to allow each sensation.

Due to its proximity to the forest area of Phalsbourg-Lutzelbourg, the region is full of hiking and hiking… Everyone will find his account! The Botanique botanical trail, for example, reveals the different natural curiosities of the forest of the Vosges in the North, the Washing washing of the Oak Wood or the circular map of the Plane are all paths to borrow. But most of all, caves, remains, curiosities, deciduous and other plants dotted discovery trips.

A Natura 2000 site located in the communes of Saint-Léger-Magnazeix and Lussac-les-Churches, Murat Pond, with a surface area of 30 ha and built between 1474 and 1534, is owned by the High Vienna Hunters Federation, although hunting is prohibited. Known for a long time for its ecological richness, it offers a remarkable flora accompanied by a great richness of fauna in the image of its many species of water birds: foulgues, herons, teal, grèbe… At the time of migration, black geese and swans make it their resting area. Its flat structure and the quality of its humid natural habitats make it a privileged site for the rest, reproduction and nesting of the water birds. A climbing wooden hut on piles serves as an ornithological observatory, located in the extension of a communal road.

street village perched on a promontory, with a magnificent view of the Argonne forest. Each summer, the village stands out among the pretty villages of the Meuse. From the viewpoint, the landscape is beautiful. It opens onto the Argonne forest dotted with ponds and green pastures of countryside. Some windmills are arranged here. The only downside vegetation, although a little to admire the show is offered to you. The press of the abbey is located nearby.

A walk between nature and culture and a breath of fresh air. The Saulx Valley offers superb green landscapes between rivers, streams, wild and elusive views. It invites visitors to discover its string of villages built with local stone. From one bank to the other, fall under the spell of religious country buildings, waterfront castles and hikes. It is also a steel country that has taken advantage of the region's minerals to make a name for itself, particularly in the field of cast iron. Between History and know-how, the Saulx valley will only please you!

This site protected and managed by the Conservatoire régional des Spaces Naturel du Limousin, offers a special rock, the serpentine, an unusual landscape of rocky chaos emerging from women heather barrens (six different species). The remarkable fauna may give you the opportunity to observe a nighthawk or busard… and, as far as the flora is concerned, it is exceptional for the region. it is not uncommon to see a "" or a gentian gentian… On the 3 km interpretive trail, many panels give you the explanations necessary for understanding the environment. On the other hand, it is not always easy to find the starting point, located in the old Tuileries of Cluzeau.

This former iodine production plant - produced from seaweed - is located at the entrance to the site, houses an information, documentation and permanent exhibition centre. It represents the fauna and flora as well as human activities around the dunes and ponds of Trévignon. Several naturalist walks are organised. You can also find tips on walking nearby and on the sites to visit.

The Flora Atlantica farm is becoming a must. Take advantage of its ecology boom and holiday makers that come with it. As soon as you get to the farm, visitors will be immersed in an invisible world with fitted sunglasses. The botany farm offers a visit to its greenhouse that identifies plant species that are found only on the Gironde coast. To discover a variety of herbs, two solutions are available: the free tour or that accompanied by a horticulturist. Through his comments and anecdotes, medicinal plants or herb spices on the waterfront will have no secret for you. Creative workshops and introduction to eco-gardening will be helpful for you to become familiar with the ancient art of plant weaving. You can then go back with a local and original souvenir that you will know how to keep! Walking or horse rides in the region are also organized, with tasting of local products.

Nature lovers can stroll along the largest freshwater lakes in Western Europe. The quays are dotted with presentations explaining the formation and the life of Geneva. Beyond that, only around 50 % of the shore is easily accessible, the law there requests it though not respected… In Vongy, under a large viaduc railway, you will find a pass and scale that allow trouts to reproduce upstream.

Managed by the association Bretagne Vivante SEPNB since 1982, this peat bog (the peat bog is a wetland resembling a marsh and which hosts an original fauna and flora), characterized by peaty moors is the last area of importance for the whole of eastern Morbihan and the Landes de Lanvaux massif in terms of the species representative of these environments. Come and walk along its discovery trail (2 km) and visit with an audioguide to learn all about this exceptional place!

The ponds of the Petit and Grand Loc'h have been classified as a regional nature reserve since 2008. These extend over an area of no less than 118 hectares and 3 km long in the immediate vicinity of the coast. The pond of Petit Loc'h is located in the southern part, while the old polders of Grand Loc'h, created in 1884, are located in the north. This former arm of the sea is now a real observatory for lovers of fauna and flora since the reserve is home to a number of migratory birds, but also otters, orchids, amphibians and many others. Notice to nature lovers....