The cooler, quieter months of the year are a perfect time to (re)discover the richness of Rivieran avifauna in one of PACA’s most beautiful nature preserves

This year Mother Nature has a special gift for you: a new exhibition titled “Des plumes et des parcs“ (Feathers and Parks) and running through 20 March 2022, invites visitors to explore the 50 species of birds that call the Maritime Alps home. In partnership with the French Bird Protection Society LPO, the Maison de la Nature in Èze reacquaints us with our winged and feathered friends whose songs we often hear on our walks but whom we know very little about.

The natural Parc de La Grande Corniche, which houses the venue, extends over 712 hectares, stretching between the communities of La Trinité, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Èze and La Turbie. The site is a perfect micro cosmos of the characteristic Mediterranean fauna and flora, climate and particular atmospheric phenomena, and karstic relief. Birds with very different characteristics have successfully adapted to living in our wetlands, scrublands, forests, cliffs, and limestone plateaus.

The three exhibition rooms trace the park’s unique history, geology, and minerals, and introduce the regional birds, their habitat, the way they live, and their songs. The show is educational and also touches on topics such as ecology and sustainable development, but there are plenty of fun things to do and discover for the youngest adventurers. There is even a life-size reconstruction of a cave waiting for young explorers. A walk through the park, with its spectacular vistas over the Mediterranean from San Remo to St. Tropez and cozy resting places for bird watching, completes the experience.

The Maison de la Nature also offers nature-themed activities, including an initiation to cave exploration and archaeology (next session: Sunday, December 12) or guided 9.5 km hikes with a picnic (next tour: Wednesday, December 15.) All activities need to be booked online in advance.

Image © François DESBORDES

The Maison de la Nature is open from Wednesday to Sunday, from 9.30 am to 12.30 pm and from 1.30 pm to 5 pm. Closed on December 25 and 26, and on January 1, 2022.

Address
Rte de la Revere
06360 Èze

Tel: +33 (0)4 89 04 54 80

The park is open daily 8 am to 6 pm, November through March, and 7.30 am to 8 pm, April through October.

All photos courtesy Département 06 Alpes-Maritimes/La Maison de la Nature and as credited