Fauna
Birds
Many bird species are sedentary, whether on the plateaus or in the hills. Others, such as migratory birds, are just passing through. The Caussols and Calern plateaus are home to over 150 bird species, some of which are in decline, such as the southern shrike, the woodlark, the ortolan bunting and the black grouse, whose spring courtship displays are fascinating to watch. The red-legged partridge can be found in the areas around the Cheiron massif.
Mammals
Deer, roe deer, hinds, wild boar and foxes also inhabit the plateaus and peaks around the Estéron and Cheiron ranges. Threatened with extinction a few decades ago, the wolf is back on our land. Packs have been reported on the Caussols plateau, Cheiron mountain and Courmettes area. The ptarmigan, or mountain hare, on the other hand, frequents all alpine environments - hence its name. Capable of covering long distances and steep gradients (up to over 1000 meters), it bolts as soon as it senses danger. Caves and avens are perfect refuge habitats, especially for cave-dwelling bats.
Insects
Insects are also abundant, with over 130 species of butterfly, including the Diane and Apollon butterflies, and numerous locusts and grasshoppers, including the rare hedgehog cricket and the serrated magician. Added to these are ants, crickets and wasps, as well as the cicada - a true emblem of the South - which sings for six weeks of its short life.
Reptiles
The Calern plateau is one of the last places where the rare Orsini's viper and the Aesculapian snake can still be seen. The local climate, which is very warm in summer, is also a delight for many species of lizard.
Aquatic species
The white-footed crayfish, rare in France and protected at European level, also thrives in the Préalpes d'Azur.
Flore
Trees and plants:
Local vegetation is typically Mediterranean: low-growing and drought-resistant.
In the garrigue or maquis, thyme, rosemary and many medicinal and aromatic plants thrive in the ideal soil. In summer, they perfume the paths.
In the forests, you'll find pine, holm oak, white oak, cork oak, chestnut, arbutus, almond, cedar and hackberry.
In the hills, all varieties of pine (maritime, Aleppo, umbrella...) and scented fig are present. As well as eucalyptus, the only tree whose trunk molts, aloes, cacti, prickly pears, agaves and all kinds of succulents.
In squares, along roadsides
Plane trees provide cool shade in village squares during the hot season, and create veritable tunnels of greenery along roadsides. Cypresses decorate parks and avenues.
The olive is the most characteristic tree of the Mediterranean. There are over 60 varieties, but the "cailletier" olive is the most widespread. It flowers in May and ripens from September to January. Olive wood is very hard, with alternating dark and light veins, and lends itself admirably to carving and decoration: it is also used to make a number of everyday objects and knick-knacks.
The grapevine Not very water-hungry, the grapevine can withstand high temperatures without damage. It is therefore an ideal plant for the region.
Orange trees
The remaining orange trees are found in private gardens. Today, ripe oranges are used to make jam and orange wine.
Other plants representative of southern landscapes include lemon, palm, Judas, tamarisk, wisteria, oleander, rhododendron, euphorbia, yucca, bougainvillea, acanthus, agapanthus, valerian..
Flowers :
Orange blossom, lavender, jasmine, mimosa, violet, rose centifolia... The region's climate favors the blooming of a variety of species.
On the Caussols plateau, for example, an extraordinary variety of flowers can be seen in summer: rare species such as the Oriental fritillary, Ardoino's laburnum, the divided dolphin, the grass-leaved iris, different types of orchis, wild tulips and peonies, narcissi, Alpine daphne... Some are protected at local, national or even European level, such as Rodié's erodium, the whitish bellflower, Nice's snowflower, Bertoloni's columbine or Pomponne's lily.
Lavender, "baïasse" in Provençal, blooms in June. It's a symbolic plant from the south of France, whose fragrant mauve flowers are used in a variety of fields: perfumery, cosmetics, aromatology... It's harvested, processed and distilled. In its wild state, this small shrub can also accompany your hikes in the middle country.
Mimosa
February and March are the months when the hills are covered with mimosa in bloom. There are plenty of walks amidst these little yellow balls that perfume the homes and markets of the Côte d'Azur.
The violet
The Victoria violet is grown in the gorges du Loup, particularly in Tourrettes-sur-Loup.
Roses
Whether climbing or pompon, roses are the scent of the region's markets and gardens.
Jasmine
Jasmine is a shrub native to India. It has adapted well to the Mediterranean region, so much so that of all the fragrant plants grown on the Côte d'Azur, jasmine was for a long time the most important. In fact, the Préalpes d'Azur and its relief benefit from the particular microclimate of the southern region, which has enabled the expansion of perfume plant cultivation. Many villages, such as Gourdon, Châteauneuf, Opio, Le Rouret, Le Bar-sur-Loup and Tourrettes-sur-Loup, built their reputation around this activity, originally destined for the perfumers of Grasse.
Parks and nature reserves
Remarkable natural areas
Between the Mediterranean and the Préalpes d'Azur, there are two Natura 2000 terrestrial sites: the Préalpes de Grasse and Rivière et Gorges du Loup, covering 24,000 hectares and part of the European ecological network. The aim of this network is to preserve the natural heritage and enhance the value of the area.
The Préalpes de Grasse are part of the sub-alpine chains, made up of limestone massifs, plateaus and cliffs resulting from the geological evolution of the area. The site comprises three entities covering 18,500 hectares: to the north, it includes the upper part of the Cheiron national forest; to the west, it extends from the Gorges du Loup to the plateaus of Cavillore, Calern and Caussols, as far as the Montagne de Thiey; to the east, from the Gorges du Loup to the municipal boundary of Saint-Jeannet. The great variety of these environments (upland dry grasslands, forest environments, riverside vegetation) supports a rich biodiversity.
The Rivière et Gorges du Loup site, covering an area of 4,444 hectares, stretches from the source of the River Loup at Andon to its mouth at Villeneuve-Loubet. The steep-sided Gorges du Loup separate the Calern, Caussols and Cavillore plateaus to the west from the Saint-Barnabé plateau to the east. These gorges, renowned for the beauty of their imposing vertical walls, are home to a number of unique habitats. The Loup and its banks are home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. This is why these areas are particularly fragile. When out walking, stay on the marked trails, respect livestock and pastoral activities, stay away from herds and patous, keep a low profile for the peace and quiet of wild animals, and take your garbage with you.
Departmental nature parks
Departmental nature parks are areas owned and managed by the Département, which also welcomes walkers.
Estéron Departmental Nature Park
Located downstream from the commune of La Roque-en-Provence, this park covers a surface area of 20 hectares along the river, downstream from the Pont de France. A parking area on each bank of the Estéron provides access to the park. On both sides of the river, picnic areas and play areas are available. During the summer season, the landscaped beaches and natural pools allow summer visitors to cool off in the waters of the Estéron. There's also a fishing trail for trout and bleak.
The Brague departmental nature park
The 633-hectare Parc de la Brague lies to the north and west of the Sophia Antipolis technology park, in the communes of Valbonne and Biot. Situated on a limestone plateau cut by valleys, this park, whose altitude varies from 40 to 245 meters, offers a haven of greenery 6 km from the sea. Follow the Brague along a 9 km trail and you'll find an abundance of vegetation.
Valmasque Departmental Nature Park
This 450-hectare park lies in the communes of Valbonne and Mougins, and is divided into 3 sectors: le Fugueiret, Fontmerle and le Carton. The park is made up of three wooded hills, alternating with gently-shaped valleys that stretch between the small tributaries of the Brague, Valmasque and Bouillide rivers.
The Sinodon departmental nature park
Located in the commune of Roquefort-les-Pins, this 30-hectare park offers vast areas of woodland criss-crossed by tracks and paths, making it easily accessible to hikers and sports enthusiasts. Wooded areas of holm oak, Aleppo pine and maritime pine adjoin clearings and valleys, home to numerous species.
