Wildlife Parks

Concern about the preservation of endangered animal species led Languedoc-Roussillon to create several reserves devoted to their observation and protection.

In Lozère, Aubrac and Margeride, wolves and bison roam in semi-freedom in huge natural areas where visitors can see these mammals on foot, horseback or in horse-drawn carriages. Another unusual species, raptors, can be observed with binoculars in the Jonte Gorges on terraces that have been built near their aeries. In the Petite Camargue, the natural reserve’s western section, protected plant and wildlife offer visitors an outstanding adventure amidst the white horses, bulls, pink flamingos and hundreds of birds that live there. A little further away, in the Catalan Pyrenees, you can spot deer, brown bears and izards on hiking trails in summer or enjoy cross-country skiing as soon as it snows.

Wolves run free

In the park of Sainte-Lucie in Lozere, a hundred wolves live in semi-freedom in a natural conservation area of 20 hectares. During the visit you will learn that the wolf is a timid creature that lives in packs and shies away from man.

The Bisons of Lozere

“Once upon a time, a long time ago….” The history of the bison reserve near Sainte Eulalie in Lozere goes back a long time. European Bison have been grazing the forest of Margeride since the Middle Ages. They have been reintroduced to their ancestral home which now forms the heart of a 200-acre protected site, where they roam freely. Visitors tour the park on horse-drawn carriages, or sleds in winter.

Majestic flight of the vultures

Thanks to the League for the Protection of Birds and the National Park of the Cevennes, vultures have been reintroduced in the Jonte gorge. At the view point you will be able to appreciate the grace of these great birds and observe their nest hidden in the cliffs.

The Lions of Sigean

Near Sigean, along the coastline of Languedoc, in a reserve of almost 300 hectares, about 15 kms south of Narbonne, you will find more than 3,800 animals from the African savannah. Discover lions, elephant, zebra, rhinos and alligators roaming in semi-liberty. Visitors can explore the reserve, the savannah in Aude, on foot or by car and see in close up the relationship between animals and their natural habitat.

Les Angles Wildlife Park

The wildlife park covers an area of about 90 acres at an altitude of 1800m. The animals here live in relative freedom. Most of them are native to the Pyrenees - stags, roe deer, mouflons (large long-horned sheep) izards (Pyrenean fawns) brown bears, wolves and bison. Two trails, accessible in winter by snow shoe, allow you to see the different species. There are also panoramic viewpoints over the forests and lakes of the Capcir.

“Tortoises’ Valley”

Just a couple of steps from the wide, fine sandy beaches of the Mediterranean coast and the famous Collioure bell tower, at the foot of the Albères mountains, lies this miniature heaven on earth amidst the cork oaks and the cicada, at the heart of a green haven and in a privileged environment, the “Tortoises’ Valley” . A wildlife park with a difference in the very heart of the Fun Valley, stretching out over 2.5 hectares and home to some 500 tortoises belonging to thirty or so different species, from the smallest to the most gigantic including the famous Seychelles island tortoises.

INFORMATION - The Gévaudan Wolves Park Tel: + 33 (0)4 66 32 09 22 Website - The European Bison Reserve Tel: + 33 (0)4 66 31 40 40 Website - Le Belvédère des Vautours Tel: + 33 (0)5 65 62 69 69 Website -The Sigean African Reserve Tel: + 33 (0)4 68 48 20 20 Website - Les Angles Wildlife Park Tel: + 33 (0)4 68 04 17 20. Tortoises’ Valley Tel: + 33 (0)4.68.95.50.50 Website