Luberon Regional Natural Park
The Luberon Regional Nature Park ( French Parc naturel régional du Luberon ) is located in the French departments of Vaucluse and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region . The core area of this nature park comprises the Luberon mountain range , which extends approximately between the towns of Cavaillon and Villeneuve , northeast of Manosque , over a length of around 50 kilometers. It borders the Alpilles Regional Nature Park in the southwest and the Verdon Regional Nature Park in the east . The Luberon Regional Nature Park is part of the Luberon-Lure Biosphere Reserve .
Park management
The nature park was founded on February 10, 1977 and today covers an area of 185,000 hectares. The park administration is based in Apt ( 43 ° 52 ′ 34 ″ N , 5 ° 23 ′ 51 ″ E, ), where the "Maison du Parc" is located with visitor center is located. 77 municipalities with a catchment area of 176,500 residents (as of 2018) form the park.
The nature park has been designated a UNESCO Global Geopark by UNESCO since 2004 (last updated in 2015) under the brand name Geopark Luberon . This designation stands for the great geological importance of a territory and contributes to the tourist and economic development of the area, taking into account the required sustainability .
Landscapes
Various natural landscapes lie in west-east expansion in the park area. They are:
- Southern flank of the Monts de Vaucluse in the northwest
- South flank of the Montagne de Lure in the northeast
- The valley of the Coulon rivers , which drains to the west, and Largue , which drains to the east. Both flow into the Durance .
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Luberon Mountains with
- Petit Luberon
- Grand Luberon (highest point: Mourre Nègre , 1125 meters)
- Luberon Oriental , northeast of Manosque
- Valley of the Durance to the east and south
From a geological perspective, the soil consists of limestone , which is karst -like in exposed locations . The valley lowlands are fertile, but have to be artificially irrigated due to the frequent lack of water. Viticulture is also practiced on the slopes .
Larger places in the park
Biotopes
On the southern slopes of the Luberon, the change from loose and compact soils leads to two types of garids: one dominated by the Kermes oak , the other where rosemary dominates. Seemingly stern and monotonous to look at, in spring they are home to an abundance of animal and vegetable species that are often rarely found.
The lawns formed by low or creeping plants on the ridges of the Luberon result from the grazing of the herds but also from the adaptation to climate constraints: the wind, the summer drought and the low temperatures of winter. But the abundance of flowers in spring, under the tufts of grasses mountain brespe , sheep-fescue (and others), transforms these places into a natural garden, where even certain orchid species , such as the orchid or the Bertolonis Ragwurz (protected species) bloom.
On the northern slopes, the downy oak prefers the cooler temperatures and deeper soils. In contrast to the holm oak , it loses its leaves in winter after it has ripened the yellow acorn fruits in autumn. The brightness of their undergrowth explains the abundant flora that develops there. The intensive use of the oak stock, which has taken place over the last centuries for charcoal, heating and construction, as well as the erosion of the soil has certainly forced its replacement by holm oak.
- Rock walls, gorges
The varied reliefs of the Luberon Mountains are signs of a rich and turbulent geological development; this can be read from the various rock formations. They have spectacular shapes, such as steep rock faces, dizzying gorges, caves or even scree. At the transitions of this inhospitable habitat, some plants develop that help to stabilize the system.
- Rivers
The dry climate and the karst subsoil of the Luberon explain the low flow of water in the rivers and streams in the area of the nature park: the most important bodies of water are the Coulon , Largue and Aigue Brun , all tributaries of the Durance . In the valleys, insignificant mountain streams are sometimes fanned into raging rivers by thunderstorms and heavy rain.
See also
List of regional natural parks in France
Web links
Individual evidence
Camargue (1977) | Commune de Fakarava (1977) | Vallée du Fango (1977) | Cevennes (1984) | Iroise (1988) | Mont Ventoux (1990) | Guadeloupe Archipelago (1992) | Luberon-Lure (1997) | Fontainebleau and Gâtinais (1998) | Northern Vosges (1998) | Dordogne river landscape (2012) | Marais Audomarois (2013) | Monte Viso (2013) | Gardon Caves (2015)