Alpes Azur Mercantour becomes first International Dark Sky Reserve to expand its certified boundaries

Valberg, France

The Alpes Azur Mercantour International Dark Sky Reserve in southeastern France has become the first International Dark Sky Reserve in the world to officially expand its certified boundaries, marking a significant milestone for the International Dark Sky Places program and the global movement to protect natural darkness.

Originally designated in 2019, the reserve now encompasses the entirety of the Mercantour National Park, expanding from 2,300 to 3,700 square kilometers. The expansion increases the reserve from 75 to 92 municipalities and extends its reach from approximately 55,000 to nearly 70,000 residents.

The expansion was announced during the 2nd French International Dark Sky Reserves  Congress in Valberg, France, where representatives from France’s International Dark Sky Reserves gathered alongside international delegations from Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Italy to discuss the future of night sky conservation.

The expanded reserve reflects years of collaboration among the Alpes-Maritimes Department, the Communauté de Communes Alpes d’Azur, the Mercantour National Park, the Préalpes d’Azur Regional Nature Park, the SICTIAM electricity board, and participating municipalities. More than 5,000 lighting fixtures have been upgraded through a €20 million modernization program designed to reduce light pollution, improve energy efficiency, and preserve the region’s exceptional nighttime environment.

“The night is a natural heritage in its own right,” said Charles Ange Ginésy, President of the Alpes-Maritimes Department and President of the Mercantour National Park. “By becoming the world’s first International Dark Sky Reserve to expand, it has reached a historic milestone and demonstrates that the preservation of the night sky is an environmental policy in its own right.”

In conjunction with the expansion, participants at the congress adopted a joint declaration calling for greater recognition of International Dark Sky Reserves within environmental policy and conservation planning. The declaration encourages stronger collaboration between certified reserves, government agencies, conservation organizations, and local communities to advance efforts to protect the nighttime environment.

The declaration also highlights the role International Dark Sky Reserves can play as living laboratories for sustainable lighting practices, energy conservation, biodiversity protection, and environmental innovation.

Over three days, nearly 200 elected officials, scientists, protected area managers, technicians, and partners gathered at the DOME – the Departmental Centre for the Environment and Observation in Valberg – to discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with protecting dark skies, biodiversity, and sustainable landscapes.

As the first International Dark Sky Reserve to successfully expand its certified boundaries, Alpes Azur Mercantour demonstrates how long-term commitment, regional cooperation, and continued investment can strengthen protections for the night sky while delivering benefits for both people and nature.

DarkSky congratulates all partners involved in this achievement and their continued leadership in preserving one of Europe’s most important nighttime environments.

About DarkSky International

About DarkSky International: The mission of DarkSky is to preserve and protect the nighttime environment and our heritage of dark skies through environmentally responsible outdoor lighting. Learn more at darksky.org

Media Contacts

Sterenn Poupard
Alpes Azur Mercantour Dark Sky Reserve
[email protected]

Dan Oakley
DarkSky International
Senior Program Manager
[email protected]