A National Park in Turmoil

The aim of this chapter is to examine the current issues of French national parks. This chapter first reviews the history of national parks, their legislations and the settings of different types of protection areas within the parks. Then it introduces a case study on Vanoise National Park (located in Northern Alps)—one of the first French national parks. This park has recently encountered some difficulties as it renegotiates its charter status and faces the fact that 27 out of the 29 local districts refuse to endorse the charter status. Whilst the park still exists, this implies that local support has become a struggle. The pressure from nearby large-scale ski resorts and other pressing issues such as the wolves’ attacks on livestock are discussed to suggest how the park could work on a brighter future.