In France, some military zones have unexpectedly become important homes for endangered species. The Canjuers military camp in the Var, established in 1970, spans 35,000 hectares, with only 14 hectares developed for buildings. Since 1974, the area has had restricted access, limiting human presence. This region, featuring garrigue (a type of dry shrubland), dry grasslands, and limestone plateaus, is home to over 100 species of nesting birds, including the rock ptarmigan, the golden eagle, and the black grouse. The rock ptarmigan, in particular, has seen its population drop in other parts of France due to agricultural expansion, urban growth, and habitat loss. However, it flourishes at Canjuers because the area is free from pesticides, plowing, and urban development. The long-term restriction of access has created a rare ecological refuge, untouched by human activity for more than fifty years. Canjuers was originally created for military purposes, driven by geopolitical changes after France's loss of Algeria in 1962. It was designated as one of the largest firing ranges in Western Europe. The village of Brovès, which lies entirely within the camp, was evacuated and absorbed into the military zone. Despite decades of military exercises involving millions of shells and missiles, local wildlife has not been displaced. This is because the military activities are limited in scope and time, allowing the natural environment to recover and thrive between operations. The National Forest Office oversees the management of the Canjuers camp, ensuring a balance between military use and the preservation of natural habitats. This management has effectively kept the area free from agricultural, tourist, economic, and speculative pressures, maintaining it as a semi-wild environment. A similar situation exists at the Valbonne camp, which also provides a refuge for the rock ptarmigan and other species by avoiding urbanization and intensive farming. These cases show how restricted military areas can unintentionally support biodiversity, offering habitats that are hard to recreate in conventional nature reserves.