France boasts an amazing diversity of habitats and wildlife, from Ibex and Chamois scaling the cliff faces of the Alps and colonies of Puffins and Gannets on the rugged coasts of Brittany to one of the last western strong-holds of the European Mink on the Atlantic coast and flocks of Flamingos shimmering in the heat as they feed in the wetlands of Camargue. France is one of the richest countries in Europe in terms of flora and fauna – its mammals include Wolf, Lynx and the remarkable Pyrenean Desman. It also boasts one of the highest totals of breeding bird species in Europe, some of the best butterfly sites, and an outstanding array of wildflowers. There is a wide variety in the landscapes and natural history of this surprisingly diverse country.
