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Throughout our go to to Lourdes, France, we stumbled upon a hidden gem, the Parc Animalier Des Pyrénées (in English: the Animal Park of the Pyrenees).
This was one in all our favourite stops on our monthlong motorhome journey throughout France. We’ve visited a handful of zoos with our youngsters, however this one was the favourite for a number of causes. For those who’re in France and visiting Lourdes, it is a place you will need to go to with youngsters.
The place is the Parc Animalier Des Pyrénées?
The Parc Animalier Des Pyrénées is situated only a 10-minute drive from the city of Lourdes, France. We used Lourdes as a house base for visiting each the Animal Park of the Pyrenees in addition to the Pyrenees Nationwide Park. That is a completely attractive space that we spent a number of days exploring.
What We Liked Concerning the Parc Animalier Des Pyrénées
1. The intentional format of the zoo.
A whole lot of zoo layouts are much like theme park layouts. You stroll by means of the doorway solely to be bombarded by ten totally different potential routes. Which path is the very best? If we go see the giraffes first will we nonetheless make it to the ocean lion present at 11 AM?
This wasn’t a dialog on the Parc Animalier Des Pyrénées as a result of there is just one path.
Whereas this may sound limiting, it was truly nice. We by no means needed to query if we have been lacking out on one other space of the zoo, we simply merely loved every exhibit alongside the way in which.
2. The subtleness from the street.
For those who drove from Lourdes into the Nationwide Park of the Pyrenees, it could be very simple to overlook the Parc Animalier Des Pyrénées. From the street, you’ll be able to largely see a big, well-designed constructing nestled proper up in opposition to the steep hillside. Nevertheless, when you’re inside it feels the other of small. There’s loads of room within the reveals and far more animals than we anticipated inside.
3. Your zoo go to will double as a exercise.
Whereas this was our favourite zoo we’ve ever visited, it was additionally the steepest (by a LOT).
By the tip of the day I drastically regretted sporting my flip-flops. We introduced a double stroller (an excellent concept) because it allowed us to simply transport the children alongside. If we hadn’t, we’d have ended up with a double exercise from carrying the kids.
4. Essentially the most wonderful views from a zoo.
Since you climb so excessive, you’ve an unimaginable vantage level all through a lot of your zoo go to. You’ll be capable to see out for miles when you attain the highest of the zoo earlier than winding your manner again down. (We additionally beloved the views we obtained from a few of our campsites in France, for those who’re visiting in a motorhome!)
5. The BEARS have been insane.
I’ve by no means been so near a bear in my life. EVER. It was just a little alarming at first, however the bear exhibit was exhilarating. You stand up shut and private. Quick. I needed to do a double look to verify there was sufficient barrier between us and them. They have been shockingly shut!
As an added bonus, for those who aren’t in a rush you’ll be able to truly keep the evening with the bears (or wolves) in lodging offered by the zoo. If we hadn’t been in our RV I might have critically thought-about doing this. Opening your window to a couple bears within the morning appeared like a enjoyable journey.
How Lengthy Does it take to Go to Parc Animalier Des Pyrénées?
We spent roughly three hours strolling across the zoo and felt like we’d seen every part we hoped to see. We may have simply spent extra time there, however we visited within the low season and the eating places have been closed. We needed to depart for lunch!
What are the meals choices?
Once we visited, the restaurant on the entrance of the zoo was open, however the eating choices contained in the zoo weren’t. We visited in October throughout a weekday so I assume for those who go on a weekend or throughout summer time you’ll have a number of choices for eating. The restaurant on the entrance of the zoo had a number of scorching meals choices or simple morning snacks, relying on the time of day you go to.
Touring to Parc Animal Park of the Pyrenees
It was a very simple 10-Quarter-hour to the Parc Animalier Des Pyrénées from our campground in Lourdes. We weaved by means of some stunning and winding mountain roads earlier than arriving.
Parking at Parc Animalier Des Pyrénées
The car parking zone at Parc Animalier Des Pyrénées was very giant. They even had motorhome parking for 2 RVs close to the again of the car parking zone.
Planning a Go to to Animalier Des Pyrénées
You don’t want to purchase tickets forward of time or reserve a time to go to. We visited in late fall and it wasn’t crowded in any respect and the climate was excellent. Keep in mind to put on strolling footwear, deliver a stroller in case you have younger youngsters, and produce water and snacks. You’ll be mountaineering uphill for many reveals and be grateful that you just ready!