We tested Champrépus Zoo for you

A world tour of animals and plants
Photo
Photo, © Xavier Lachenaud

Between Villedieu and Granville, Champrépus Zoo is a great place for a family visit. Hundreds of animals live in 10 hectares of gorgeous gardens. Tigers, giraffes, red pandas, lemurs and lots more all live in a country park where you’ll also enjoy taking a tour of the plant world. We’ve been there and we’ll tell you all about it, including which animals to see, feeding times and activities, and where to eat. Enjoy your visit!

Six themed areas:
discover 300 animals from 60 different species

Once we’d entered the zoo, we began the tour by crossing the footbridge over the road. We arrived in the mini-farm, with goats, chickens, rabbits, donkeys and more. You can go into some of the enclosures there, and we were welcomed by baby goats begging for cuddles and food! This was a real treat for our kids, who loved getting up close to the animals and feeding them. It was actually the highlight of their day!

Photo
Photo, © Xavier Lachenaud

In the Asian area, we watched a pair of energetic gibbons leaping from rope to rope on their island, then we spotted the red pandas chilling in their enclosure. We were thrilled to see the Sumatran tigers, a species in danger of extinction in the wild. And finally, we had fun stroking the Koi carp in their touch pool.

Next was a change of scene, with the leopard park and the agile squirrel monkeys, marking the entrance to the tropical zone. It was great fun watching these little monkeys chasing each other and jumping from branch to branch. We could have watched the show for hours, but the children dragged us away to find out what was next.

So we headed to the aviaries, a bird-lover’s paradise, with red ibis, blue and yellow macaws and parrots all flying amid the luxuriant vegetation. Chilean flamingos, blue sakis and marmosets all live together in these exotic multi-coloured gardens.

Photo
Photo, © Y Lebreton
Photo
Photo, © Y Lebreton
Photo
Photo, © Xavier Lachenaud

Next, we went back over the footbridge to discover the rest of the zoo. We entered the area devoted to Madagascar, where the black-and-white ruffed lemurs watched us from the wild gardens of their island. Then we walked through the ring-tailed lemur enclosure, where the little primates cautiously allowed us to approach them. This was definitely my favourite moment of the day. But keep an eye on any food in your bag, it could get snatched!

We carried on towards Africa, with its predators and herd animals. Giraffes, zebras, ostriches, antelopes and oryxes live together in an area planted to resemble the savannah. Our children loved seeing the giraffes stretching their long necks towards us.

  • Photo
    Photo, © Xavier Lachenaud
  • Photo
    Photo, © Xavier Lachenaud

It was difficult to stay cool when confronted by lions and cheetahs. Champrépus Zoo is part of a European breeding programme designed to protect these two endangered species.

The visit ended at the Nono the Penguin interactive trail, with wallabies, coatis and sweet little prairie dogs, champion tunnellers that our little adventurers could peek out at through transparent bubbles in their enclosure.

A large viewing window allows you to see into a pool where the Cape penguins zoom around underwater. Our children loved watching these birds, which swim better than fish!

My absolute favourite? The themed gardens

Champrépus Zoo is also a magnificent landscaped park, where eucalyptus trees and palms tower over waterlilies, tree ferns, lilacs, grasses, and much more. Strolling through all of these gorgeous plants is a wonderful experience!

Feeding times and activities: a fun way to learn

Animal feeding times

taking part and learning

The animal feeding times are definitely a firm favourite with children! The idea is not to put on a show, but to provide an opportunity to observe the animals and to find out about how they behave and live. When the keepers feed the penguins, lemurs, giraffes or otters, they’re teaching us more about the animals. It’s a great way to take part and to learn.

Photo
Photo, © Y Lebreton

A day in the life of a zookeeper :

find out what the job is all about

If you’ve always dreamt of getting up close to otters, meerkats or red pandas, at Champrépus Zoo your dream will come true if you book a “Zookeeper for a day” experience! Try feeding them, watching as they go outside, and cleaning their enclosures; enjoy magical moments accompanied by a knowledgeable keeper.

This activity is available to children over the age of 6 (a three-hour slot) and for adults (4 hours). Booking essential.

Photo
Photo, © Xavier Lachenaud

Information panels can be found throughout the zoo, providing answers to any questions you might have. They identify the animals, their natural habitat, the family they belong to, their hunting technique, etc. You’ll soon know everything about the inhabitants of the park.

Food outlets, children’s games, and so on: our tips

If you have children, it’s best to come to the zoo for a whole day. That way you’ll have time to explore, to admire your favourite animals, to smell the exotic flowers, and to learn all about the characteristics of the different species found in the park.

There are several options for lunch:

  • picnic tables are available if you’ve brought your own or if you want a quick snack (the restaurant and the snack bar do takeaways)
  • you can have lunch or an afternoon snack in the zoo’s comfortable restaurant

A relaxing break for the children

Near the food area, there’s a children’s playground with a ball pool, bouncy castles, slides, play areas, etc., where the little monsters can let off steam while you finish your coffee.

Practical information: accessibility, shop

Champrépus Zoo has been awarded the French Tourisme et handicap label for all four disabilities: mobility, hearing, vision and mental health. Everything possible has been done to make it easy for everyone to access all areas of the zoo. It’s also wheelchair- and pushchair-friendly (free loan of wheelchairs and pushchairs on request).
Do you want a little souvenir to take home with you? The shop has soft toys, textiles, home accessories, and much more. You’ll go home with your arms full of toys and your heart full of joy!

You may be interested in