The southern French Alps, spanning the border with Italy, represent one of Europe’s premier hotspots for butterfly biodiversity. Home to 233 species, this exceptional region owes its rich fauna to a convergence of distinct climates and varied altitudes—a phenomenon detailed in the Atlas des Papillons de Jour & Zygènes de Provence-Alpes Côte d’Azur (Stéphane Bence & Sonia Richaud).

Here, true mountain specialists like the Apollo and Cynthia’s Fritillary share habitats with Mediterranean species such as the Striped Grayling and Southern White Admiral, alongside northern species including the Poplar Admiral and Lesser Purple Emperor.

Highlights & Key Species

• High-Altitude Targets: Search for sought-after Alpine species, including the elusive Balkan Fritillary and the endemic Larche Ringlet (Erebia scipio).
• Taxonomic Diversity: Expand and practice your identification skills against 13 species of Pyrgus skippers, 10 species of Melitaea fritillaries, and an impressive range of Erebia
• Optimal Timing: Scheduled for July, when alpine snows have melted, species diversity peaks, and summer livestock transhumance maintains ideal flower-rich habitat before the summer heat dries out the slopes.
• Expert Legacy: Designed as a two-centre holiday exploring habitats originally pioneered and led for us by the eminent late lepidopterist Tristan Lafranchis.
• Small Group: No more than 7 participants & 2 expert and highly experienced leaders means you will get first class guidance as well as ample photography and viewing opportunities of the butterflies.

The Destinations

Mercantour National Park (Based in Rimplas) Boasting over 150 butterfly species and more than 2,000 species of flowering plants (400 endemic to the region, including the iconic Martagon Lily, Houseleeks, and Gentians), the Mercantour is one of Europe’s richest natural havens.

Staying in a charming hamlet surrounded by prime butterfly habitat, it is quite common to observe 40–50 species within a short walk from our base. Daily excursions explore diverse altitude gradients from 900m up to 2,300m across the Tinée, Valdeblore, and Vésubie valleys, culminating in a visit to the higher reaches of the Tinée valley and the Col de la Bonnette—Europe’s highest road pass at just over 2,800m.

Queyras Regional Nature Park (Based in Guillestre) Ringed by 3,000m jagged peaks in the Hautes-Alpes, Queyras offers France as it used to be: unspoilt, remote, and welcoming. Its isolated character has preserved a pristine mountain landscape where butterflies are as abundant as the scenery is breathtaking. During our inaugural Queyras tour with Tristan Lafranchis in 2017, over 130 species were recorded in a single week.

We expect this to be very popular so recommend booking early to avoid disappointment!