Provence Alps and Prealps

The Provence Alps and Prealps (Alpes et Préalpes de Provence in French) are a mountain range in the south-western part of the Alps, located in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (France). Provence Alps and Prealps encompass the south-western area of the French Prealps.

Provence Alps and Prealps
Tête de l'Estrop - south face
Highest point
PeakTête de l'Estrop
Elevation2,961 m (9,715 ft)[1]
Coordinates44°17′14″N 6°30′17″E
Naming
Native nameAlpes et Préalpes de Provence
Geography
CountryFrance
RégionProvence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
RiversDurance, Verdon and Var
Parent rangeAlps
Borders onMaritime Alps, Dauphiné Alps, Dauphiné Prealps and Cottian Alps
Geology
OrogenyAlpine orogeny
Type of rockSedimentary rocks[2]

Etymology

The Provence (French pronunciation: [pʁɔvɑ̃s]) is a historical region nowadays part of the administrative région of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur.

Geography

Administratively the range belongs to the French departments of Vaucluse, Alpes-Maritimes and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence.

The western slopes of the range are drained by the Rhone river through the Durance and other tributaries while its south-eastern part is drained by the Var and several smaller rivers that flow directly to the Mediterranean Sea.

Notable summits

The Luberon, in the SW part of the range; view from north-west

Some notable summits of the range are:

Namemetresfeet
Tête de l'Estrop2,9619,712
Grande Séolane2,9099,542
Trois-Évêchés2,8189,243
Montagne du Cheval Blanc2,3237,619
Mourre de Chanier1,9306,330
Mont Ventoux1,9126,271
Montagne de Lure1,8265,989

References

  1. Highest summit elevation as reported on Géoportail of Institut Géographique National
  2. Préalpes, article on Larousse encyclopedia (on line version:www.larousse.fr/encyclopedie)

Maps

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