Pyrénées Animal Park

The Pyrénées Animal Park, also known by its nickname 'The Marmots Hill' (French: Parc Animalier des Pyrénées), is a zoological facility located in Argelès-Gazost, within the Hautes-Pyrénées region of France. Established in 1999 by Serge Mounard, the park was conceived with the aim of presenting a variety of regional animals in an environment that closely approximates their natural habitat.

Zoological Offerings

The park's layout features a zigzagging path through the hills, designed to allow visitors to observe common wildlife such as squirrels, marmots, and otters. It also provides opportunities for closer encounters with species like foxes, wolves, ibex, mouflons, isards, and brown bears. In some instances, visitors have been able to interact directly with certain animals, including farm animals, deer, and the park's signature attraction, the marmots.

Educational and Interactive Elements

A dedicated pedagogical team is present to guide visitors, offering information and insights into the animals' lives, supplemented by informative panels. The park also engages visitors with activities like a footprint molding workshop, designed to teach recognition of animal tracks found in the wild. A Pyrenean map is maintained and updated in real-time to show the locations of the 25 bears that inhabit the surrounding massif freely.

Museum and Facilities

The entrance to the park is marked by a historic building, an old stable dating back to the mid-19th century. This structure houses a museum that reconstructs the lives of wild animals from the northern hemisphere, Europe, and Africa through thematic displays presented in three-dimensional dioramas. A souvenir shop, featuring items such as marmot stuffed toys, is located at the park's exit.