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The grey wolf was hunted to extinction in France by 1930, but in 1992 two 'funny-looking dogs' were spotted near Utelle, presumably having loped across the Italian border. Since then, the animals have made a comeback in the French Alps, and though they're hard to spot in the wild, you'll have a good chance of a sighting at this fascinating wolf reserve, where three packs live in semi-freedom.

Several trails wind through the reserve, where you can stop and watch the wolves from specially constructed hides. The park's mountain-top location in Le Boréon is worth a visit in its own right; you can stay overnight at one of the on-site gîtes (€350 to €600 in summer) or treehouses (€150 per night).

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

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Nearby attractions

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Wedged between the Vésubie and Roya valleys, this narrow, remote canyon is famous for its amazing Bronze Age petroglyphs – ancient pictures carved into…

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5. Lac des Mesches

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From St-Dalmas-de-Tende, the D91 winds 10km west to this alpine lake (1390m), where trails lead into the valley (plan on eight hours' hiking, round-trip)…

6. Musée des Merveilles

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7. Maison du Miel et de l’Abeille

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8. Monastère de Saorge

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