France

France is home to an exceptional diversity of landscapes and natural environments. From the coastlines of the English Channel to the peaks of the Alps, from temperate forests and fertile plains to the Atlantic cliffs and Mediterranean shores, mainland France alone encompasses a remarkable variety of ecosystems. Yet France extends far beyond continental Europe. Thanks to its overseas territories, spread across the Atlantic, Indian, Pacific and Southern Oceans, the country spans several continents and possesses the world’s second-largest Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), giving it one of the richest natural heritages on the planet.

The photographs in this category reflect that diversity. They were taken both in mainland France, particularly in the Alps, and on Réunion Island, a volcanic island in the Indian Ocean renowned for its spectacular scenery and unique biodiversity. Together, they illustrate the richness of French wildlife and the remarkable variety of environments found across this multifaceted country.

Through these photographs, I invite you to discover a France where mountains, coastlines, forests, volcanic islands and wild landscapes remind us that the country’s greatest treasure may well be the extraordinary diversity of its natural heritage.