National nature reserves in Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur

A national nature reserve and its associated protection area form part of the protected natural areas (ENP) which are designated or managed in an international, Community, national or local framework with a view to achieving specific objectives for the conservation of the natural heritage. A national nature reserve is a protected land or marine area, created by the State, and whose natural heritage is exceptional, both in terms of biodiversity and sometimes geodiversity. A classification as a national nature reserve takes place to ensure the conservation of this exceptional heritage. It is a highly regulated area, exempt from any artificial intervention likely to degrade it and which benefits from a management plan. It is classified as IUCN Category Ia, III or V (depending on the regulations and management objectives established). Several national nature reserves benefit from an additional area in ‘buffer zone’ protected by this scheme. Depending on the case, the protection perimeter sensu stricto taken by prefectural decree is distinguished, and the protection zones defined by decree. The scope of protection can be broad and defined from a list of municipalities, particularly in the case of geological reserves. Legal references: Articles L332-1 to L332-27, R332-1 to R332-29, R332-47 to R332-48 and R332-66 to R332-81 of the Environment Code.