Valley of Wonders (Vallée des Merveilles) in Mercantour National Park 

 

The Valley of Wonders is in the heart of the Mercantour mountains and national park, the Maritime Alps. Here were discovered more than 40,500 protohistoric engravings dating from the Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Age. Today the remains of this period are still clearly visible. The valley of Wonders is unique.

 

Discovering that area is a mix of sports, nature and culture, for an explosive mixture of adventures.

Discovered in the late XIXth century in the valley of wonders, protohistoric engravings are on rocky outcrops or on boulders. Like a sanctuary, the Valley of Wonders dominates the Roya river to the west, up to over 2000m altitude. The rock carvings, about 100 000 of them are located on 3700 rocks spread accross nearly 1400 hectares out of a set of 4000 ha of park. Most of these prints are located around Mount Bego, which left some scientists assume that this mountain was sacred. The distribution is approximately 50% in the Valley of Wonders, and 50% in the Valley of Fontanalbe, two valleys to the west and north of Mount Bego. The entire site (the Valley of Wonders and the circus Fontanalbe) is a historical monument. The valleys of Fontanalbe and Arpette are protected and restricted areas.
 

The site offers a variety of hikes. The most famous of all being the GR52 hiking trail through the Valley of Wonders. Some engravings are also visible from this trail but it is forbidden to tresspass it, without a licensed guide.