Port-Cros National Park, called Parc national de Port-Cros in French, is a French national park located on the Mediterranean island of Port-Cros, which is east of Toulon. It also manages natural areas in some nearby places.

History

The park was created in 1963 after the island of Port-Cros was given to the government. It became France's second national park, following Vanoise National Park. The government is the only landowner on the island, which is a protected natural area. In 2012, the park's boundaries were expanded to include most of the island of Porquerolles.

Geography

Port-Cros National Park is the first national park in Europe that combines land and sea protection areas. The protected area includes about 1,700 hectares of land and 2,900 hectares of sea within a 600-meter (656-yard) zone from the coast. Most of the land on the main islands of Port-Cros and Porquerolles, as well as the smaller islands of Bagaud, Gabinière, and Rascas, is protected. Until 2012, approximately 1,000 hectares of land on the island of Porquerolles had been managed by the Conservatoire Botanique National Méditerranéen de Porquerolles since 1971.

Regulations

There are strict rules about how people should act for both the few people who live there and the visitors who come every day. Swimming in the sea is only allowed on three beaches, and smoking or bringing dogs can lead to a large fine.