There’s no need to travel to the other side of the world to find something exotic! Located along the Route de Cazaux in La Teste-de-Buch, the Zoo du Bassin d’Arcachon is the largest animal park in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. More than just a zoo, the park is involved in numerous conservation and protection programs for endangered species. Discover it!
Discovering wild animals
Set in the middle of a pine forest, just 20 minutes from our campsite **** Le Ker Helen, the Zoo du Bassin d’Arcachon is the largest zoo in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region! The animal park extends over 22 hectares of forest, and is home to almost 800 animals of around a hundred different species, from all five continents. Bred to protect the species, all the animals live here in perfect harmony.
From African elephants to Himalayan red pandas, okapis, snow leopards and Indian rhinoceroses, this is a real tour of the animal world. You’ll find animals that are well known to the general public, but also rarer species, some in danger of extinction, such as the Somali donkey and the black-and-white maki vari. Have you heard of the saimiri, Bolivia’s little “squirrel monkey” weighing no more than 800 grams? Who’s ever seen an Asian collared bear, a white tiger with blue eyes? As you can see, Arcachon Zoo offers curious minds the chance to discover animals they’ve never seen before!
The campsite’s favourites: the impressive aviary where large African birds rub shoulders with dwarf hippos; the giraffe footbridge, from the top of which the beautiful ladies of the bush come to eat out of our hands!
Become a caretaker for a day…
From April to September, the Arcachon wildlife park offers a wide range of activities focusing on animals and biodiversity. Spend a morning discovering what goes on behind the scenes in a wildlife park, and what it’s like to be an animal keeper. You’ll be able to help care for the animals, feed them and follow the caretakers in their daily routine. A unique experience that will delight young and old alike!
A few tips for your visit
- Arrive early in the morning: in summer, we advise you to come early. The animals are more active and there are fewer people. The zoo opens at 10am.
- Allow between 45 minutes (for those in a hurry) and 3 hours for a complete tour of the park. But you can easily spend the whole day there, thanks in particular to the many events and shows on offer in season.
- Don’t forget your picnic: there’s a picnic area where you can enjoy lunch in the shade of the pines while waiting for the afternoon’s entertainment. Otherwise, there are several food outlets throughout the zoo (sandwiches, croques, French fries, ice creams, cold drinks…).
PRACTICE
Zoo du Bassin d’Arcachon, Route de Cazaux, La Teste de Buch (15 km from the campsite), open all year (closed in January and February), prices: €22.90/ adult (12 years and over) €15.90/ child (3 to 11 years), more info: www.zoodubassindarcachon.com