France’s wildlife is mostly the familiar wildlife of western Europe, living in a country shaped by farmland and forest. Several large animals that had vanished, from wolves to vultures, have come back over the past few decades. And some of France’s most unusual animals live not on the mainland but on islands, from Corsica to the overseas territories.
Where France’s Animals Live
Farmland covers about 56% of mainland France and forests about 32%.1European Environment Agency (europa.eu). France Most of the animals you meet live in fields, hedges and woods. Towns cover under 7% and heathland about 4%. Rivers and lakes make up only 0.6% of the land and wetlands just 0.1%.2European Environment Agency (europa.eu). France Forests are the largest group of protected habitats, at about 22%, followed by coastal habitats at about 15%.3European Environment Agency (europa.eu). France
These habitats line up with regions a visitor would know. The Alps and Pyrenees hold mountain species absent from the lowlands. The Mediterranean south mixes coast, wetland and dry scrub. The north and west are mostly farmland with patches of woodland. Corsica is a mountainous island with species of its own.
Farmland still matters for wildlife. Hedges and field edges give shelter and food to many common animals, and deer and boar move between woods and fields at dusk. Changes in farming also affect insects such as bees, which many plants and animals depend on.
Wetlands matter far more than their size suggests. Because they are so scarce, a single delta or lagoon can hold a large share of the birds that rely on them. Southern wetlands also serve as stopovers for migrating birds that spend the rest of the year elsewhere in Europe or Africa.
Deer, Wild Boar and Other Common Mammals
Over several decades, red deer, roe deer and wild boar have grown in number and spread to all of France.4ScienceDaily. Large forest animals contribute to plant diversity Hunters say a lack of predators and a warming climate let their numbers climb.5FoodUnfolded. Hunting, Food Security, and Biodiversity in France Wild boar rise fastest, since they breed young and have large litters. Hunting is used to keep numbers in check, though hunters’ groups and foresters often disagree on how many animals the forests can bear. These animals also feed on forest plants, and so help shape which plants grow there.6ScienceDaily. Large forest animals contribute to plant diversity
Roe deer are small and often seen at field edges at dawn or dusk. Red deer are larger, and in autumn you can hear their roaring in some forests. Wild boar are mostly active at night, but you may notice the soil they leave dug up. Foxes, badgers and hares are also widespread.
Boar usually flee from people, but a sow with young can charge. Keep dogs on a lead in woods, and drive carefully at dusk, when boar and deer cross roads.
Wolves, Bears and Lynx Back in France
Wolves have been recolonising France since the early 1990s, spreading naturally from Italy.7Animal Conservation forum. Long-distance wolf recolonization of France and Switzerland inferred from non-invasive genetic sampling over a period of 10 years8Ecography. Mapping and explaining wolf recolonization in France using dynamic occupancy models and opportunistic data Young wolves often travel very long distances to find new territory, even through busy human landscapes.9Animal Conservation forum. Long-distance wolf recolonization of France and Switzerland inferred from non-invasive genetic sampling over a period of 10 years They settle best in areas with forest, farmland and mid-level mountains, but avoid land above about 2,500 m.10Ecography. Mapping and explaining wolf recolonization in France using dynamic occupancy models and opportunistic data
Wolves are also hard to spot. Counting only sightings can miss more than half the places they live.11Ecography. Mapping and explaining wolf recolonization in France using dynamic occupancy models and opportunistic data They are wary, mostly active at dusk and night, and cover large distances, so a pack can pass through a valley unnoticed. Scientists therefore also use tracks, droppings, camera traps and DNA from droppings or hair to map them.
Brown bears were reintroduced to the Pyrenees in the 1990s.12Galemys, Spanish Journal of Mammalogy. People’s perception of the brown bear reintroduction in the Spanish Pyrenees Their numbers and range have grown, bringing conflicts where bears had been absent for over a century.13Galemys, Spanish Journal of Mammalogy. People’s perception of the brown bear reintroduction in the Spanish Pyrenees Even so, the population is still among the most threatened in western Europe and is not considered secure without more releases.14PubMed. Which future for the French Pyrenean brown bear (Ursus arctos) population? An approach using stage-structured deterministic and stochastic models Bears there are mostly active at night and avoid the busiest daytime hours.15Mammal Research. Activity patterns in the reintroduced Pyrenean brown bear population
Lynx hang on in the east. 21 were released between 1983 and 1993, and only 10 survived.16PubMed Central. Spatial density estimates of Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) in the French Jura and Vosges Mountains Motorways and high-speed railways make it hard for lynx in the Vosges to connect with those in the Jura.17PubMed Central. Spatial density estimates of Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) in the French Jura and Vosges Mountains
These predators cause local tension. Sheep farmers in the mountains lose livestock to attacks, and guard dogs and fencing are common responses.
A wolf seen at a distance should simply be watched and left alone. Never approach it or try to feed it, since wolves that lose their fear of people cause more problems. In bear country, walking with normal noise helps a bear notice you early and move away. If you do see a bear, stay calm, back away slowly, give it plenty of space, and never get between a female and her cubs.
Mountain Wildlife and Returning Vultures
Protected areas and reintroductions let Alpine ibex reclaim and even extend their old range.18Reserve Biologique. The Alpine Ibex – Monts d’Azur Biological Reserve Today they live in France, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Germany and Slovenia, over 50,000 in total.19Reserve Biologique. The Alpine Ibex – Monts d’Azur Biological Reserve Extreme weather can still sharply cut the survival of breeding females.20(not provided). Conservation of ibex species (capra ibex et capra pyrenaica) en France: contribution of monitoring data from reintroduced and settled population
Hundreds of griffon vultures were released from 1981 across the Grands Causses, Baronies, Vercors and Verdon.21Griffon Vulture France. The first-ever successful reintroduction project of big raptors — the return of the Griffon Vulture to France Their range is now almost back to what it was in the early 1900s.22Griffon Vulture France. The first-ever successful reintroduction project of big raptors — the return of the Griffon Vulture to France Nearly 2,500 pairs live from the Pyrenees to the southern Alps and southern Massif Central.23Griffon Vulture France. The first-ever successful reintroduction project of big raptors — the return of the Griffon Vulture to France Some release sites worked better than others, mainly because of where the birds chose to move.24PubMed. Roles of survival and dispersal in reintroduction success of Griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus)
Ibex are often seen on rocky slopes in national parks like the Vanoise, and vultures soar over gorges such as the Tarn and Jonte. Binoculars and early mornings help. Keep your distance and don’t feed wildlife.
Other mountain animals are worth knowing too. Marmots whistle on Alpine meadows in summer, chamois live on steep slopes, and golden eagles hunt over the high ground.
Wetland Birds and Life at Sea
The Camargue, in the Rhône delta, is home to greater flamingos and little egrets.25Ardea. Environmental Impacts on Wetland Birds: Long-Term Monitoring Programmes in the Camargue, France These birds need wetlands both for safe nesting and for food, and their numbers depend on a network of wetlands across the western Mediterranean, not just one site.26Ardea. Environmental Impacts on Wetland Birds: Long-Term Monitoring Programmes in the Camargue, France
Greater flamingos filter tiny creatures from shallow water, which is why they gather in lagoons rather than deep water. Little egrets are smaller white herons that wade and stab at fish and frogs, so you will often see them along the margins of channels and ponds.
The Camargue is also a delta where river water meets the sea, creating freshwater marsh, brackish lagoon and salt pans, each supporting different species. White horses and black bulls graze the marshes, so working landscapes sit alongside wild ones. The best time for birdwatching depends on the species, so check what is present before you go. Reserves have hides and paths for watching.
At sea, the Pelagos Sanctuary is a protected sea area of over 87,500 km² between south-east France, Monaco, Italy and Sardinia, around Corsica.27Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems. The Pelagos Sanctuary for Mediterranean marine mammals Tens of thousands of small dolphins live in this north-western Mediterranean area, around 34,000 in winter and 40,000 in summer.28Deep-Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography. Seasonal distribution and abundance of cetaceans within French waters- Part I: The North-Western Mediterranean, including the Pelagos sanctuary Fin whales there roughly double from about 500 in winter to 1,100 in summer,29Deep-Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography. Seasonal distribution and abundance of cetaceans within French waters- Part I: The North-Western Mediterranean, including the Pelagos sanctuary so summer is the best time for whale watching. Fin whales and striped dolphins favour deep-water features and cooler water of about 21–24 °C.30Remote Sensing of Environment. Modelling habitat preferences for fin whales and striped dolphins in the Pelagos Sanctuary (Western Mediterranean Sea) with physiographic and remote sensing variables Boat trips leave from Mediterranean ports in summer; choose operators who keep their distance from the animals.
On the Atlantic coast, seabirds and seals can be seen along Brittany’s shores, and bottlenose dolphins also live in Atlantic waters. The tides create rich feeding grounds.
Animals Found Only in France
The Corsican nuthatch is a small bird found only on Corsica, tied to its laricio pine forests.31Quaternary Research. Quaternary History of an Endemic Passerine Bird on Corsica Island: Glacial Refugium and Impact of Recent Forest Regression It survived past ice ages and forest losses.32Quaternary Research. Quaternary History of an Endemic Passerine Bird on Corsica Island: Glacial Refugium and Impact of Recent Forest Regression A bat described only recently also lives only on Corsica, mainly in wooded mountains, and is very rare.33Revue suisse de Zoologie. Newly described and already endangered: a new mammal species endemic to Corsica Islands produce such species because they separate animals from mainland populations, so over many generations a group can change on its own and become distinct.
France’s overseas territories have far more species than the mainland, including over 50 times as many plants found nowhere else.34Convention on Biological Diversity. France – Country Profile These territories range from the Caribbean to the Indian Ocean and the Pacific. French Guiana is part of the Amazon, and reef and island wildlife differs greatly from mainland Europe.
Vipers, Hornets and Other Animals to Watch For
In western France, about half of viper bites happen during gardening and nearly half in the countryside.35PubMed Central / Elsevier. What drives the risk of being bitten by a viper? A fine spatial scale study in western France Bite risk is about three times higher where vipers are more likely to be present.36PubMed Central / Elsevier. What drives the risk of being bitten by a viper? A fine spatial scale study in western France Wear gloves and closed shoes when clearing undergrowth or gardening.
Vipers are shy and bite mainly when surprised or handled, so most bites happen when someone puts a hand or foot near one without seeing it. Look before you step or reach when lifting logs, stones or woodpiles, and use a stick or tool rather than your hands. On a hike, stick to clear paths and make normal footfall noise, as snakes usually move off if they sense you coming.
After a bite, stay calm and keep the limb still. Remove rings or tight items, and call emergency services on 15 or 112. Don’t cut, suck or tie off the wound.
The invasive yellow-legged Asian hornet has spread across France.37NeoBiota. The economic cost of control of the invasive yellow-legged Asian hornet Destroying its nests cost about €23 million from 2006 to 2015,38NeoBiota. The economic cost of control of the invasive yellow-legged Asian hornet and its harm to beekeeping and pollination is likely greater still.39NeoBiota. The economic cost of control of the invasive yellow-legged Asian hornet
Nests often sit high in trees and become visible in autumn. Don’t approach or disturb one; contact the town hall or a pest professional.
How France Helps Wildlife Move and Survive
Since 2009, French law has created a ‘trame verte et bleue’, a green and blue network of linked habitats.40Biodiversity for a Livable Climate. Blue and green corridors [Les trames vertes et bleues] in France, Ministry of Ecological Transition 2017 Animals need routes to move, feed, breed and rest,41Ministères Transition écologique, Aménagement du Territoire, Transports, Ville et Logement. Trame verte et bleue so regional maps mark rich areas and corridors to keep or repair.42Biodiversity for a Livable Climate. Blue and green corridors [Les trames vertes et bleues] in France, Ministry of Ecological Transition 2017 Corridors include rivers, woods, coasts and even private land.43Biodiversity for a Livable Climate. Blue and green corridors [Les trames vertes et bleues] in France, Ministry of Ecological Transition 2017
In practice, that can mean wildlife bridges over motorways, hedges linking woods across farmland, or restored riverbanks. These measures answer problems like the lynx’s blocked routes.
Visitors can help by staying on paths in reserves, driving slowly in wildlife areas, and reporting unusual sightings to local nature groups.