The Pyrenees Three Nations Park

Countries: Andorra , Spain , France
Regions concerned: Ariège Departmental Council (France); Autonomous Community of Catalonia (Spain); Principality of Andorra

In an area straddling France, Spain and Andorra, the Three Nations Park brings together four existing parks: the Alt Pirineu Natural Park in Catalonia, the Regional Natural Park of the Pyrenees Ariégoises in France and the Sorteny Valley and Comapedrosa Valley Natural Parks in Andorra.
The Pyrenees Three Nations Park, one of the largest cross-border natural protected areas in Europe, covers more than 428,700 hectares including 158 municipalities of the three countries.

The development of cooperation

The Three Nations Park was created after several years of cooperation between constituent parks. One of its components, the Regional Natural Park of the Pyrenees Ariégoises, officially adopted cross-border cooperation in its constitutive charter (Article 14.2) at its inauguration in 2009. The MOT had been commissioned to develop this cross-border charter.

The agreement to create the Three Nations Park was signed by representatives of France, Andorra and Spain on 24 August 2018, providing a legal and political framework for the actions of the four border parks.

Objectives and actions

The aim of the cooperation is to promote and enhance actions of the parks with respect to the local economy and tourism, through joint planning and implementation: promotion of agri-food products, improvement of biodiversity, cross-border events, etc.

The creation of a common cross-border image and identity intends to improve management of the natural area, as well as to facilitate tourist reception and economic exchanges.

A working committee is considering the creation, use and promotion of a common logo and a map of the Three Nations Park.

The partners are also working on making a joint application to UNESCO in order to obtain the "cross-border biosphere reserve" label.