![Vallée des Merveilles in a southern French national park. [Image Anthony Graizely/Wikimedia Commons]](https://staticr1.blastingcdn.com/media/photogallery/2019/5/29/660x290/b_502x220x82/vallee-des-merveilles-in-a-southern-french-national-park-image-anthony-graizelywikimedia-commons_2271221.jpg "Vallée des Merveilles in a southern French national park. [Image Anthony Graizely/Wikimedia Commons]")
There is an amazing collection of some 38,000-50,000 rock carvings located in two different sites in the Mercantour National Park in southern France. They can be seen on the slopes of Mount Bego in the Vallée des Merveilles (Valley of Wonders), as well as the Val de Fontanalba. This incredible place is something of a secret, as there is little information about the carvings in any language other than French.
While the Val de Fontanalba is less visited than the Vallée des Merveilles, it contains just as many fascinating carvings. Besides the rock carvings themselves, the Mercantour National Park is worth visiting for its glorious, rocky landscape.
While the website included at the end of the article is in French, it is possible to see many more images of the fascinating carvings and also to book a tour.
The scenery of the Vallée des Merveilles
The scenery in this high alpine region is stunning, with its rocky cliffs and small lakes. The valleys are also full of the local wildlife, so you are likely to spot chamois, ibex, marmots and a selection of rare birds, including the bearded vulture. While climbing, imagine the lives of the people who travelled here to create the rock carvings anything from 5,000 years ago.
A treacherous hike in the mountains
The slopes of Mount Bego are covered in loose rock and can be a treacherous walk, but what you will find there will make the trip worth it.
Carvings through the eras
Some of the petroglyphs (rock carvings) in the area date from the Neolithic era, through the Bronze and Iron Ages and also from the Roman and medieval period. The carvings include animals, weapons and geometric figures. In this case, we can see a carving of Jesus Christ on the cross.
Tracking the sun and measuring time
Some designs are thought to have been created to track the sun’s movements and measure the passing of time. However, the image here has been given the name “The Sorceror.”
Musée des Merveilles, Tende
It is worthwhile visiting the nearby town of Tende, which has a museum about the engravings. The Musée des Merveilles not only exhibits some of the original petroglyphs, but also has copies of the most famous rock carvings. The museum is located in Avenue du 16 Septembre 1947 and entry is free.
Getting there
It is important to note that you must be accompanied by a guide when visiting the rock carvings, as they are fragile and gradually disappearing due to erosion. At the end of this article you will find a link to make a reservation. Simply copy the link and paste it into your browser. Tours are only normally available from June to October due to heavy snowfall. It will include a hike that takes around 2-3 hours one way or a journey in a 4x4 vehicle.
