A 25-hectare nature park zoo and animal park in the forest of Chizé that has around 500 animals from 60 different European species. Nature and the environment are key themes at Zoodyssée.

For one thing this popular 25-hectare nature park is set in beautiful countryside amid the forest of Chizé. Moreover the wildlife park, which has around 500 animals from 60 different European species, places great emphasis on protecting endangered species and promoting biodiversity.

Indeed, Zoodyssée is proud of the fact that it was the first animal park in France to be awarded the ISO 140001 standard for all its environmental actions, from sorting rubbish to the way it handles water and saves energy.

The zoo is currently engaged in a breeding programme aimed at reintroducing the European pond turtle (or terrapin) Emys orbicularis to the wild, and works closely with schools and the Deux-Sèvres department council on promoting biodiversity. The park is also helping to rear Little Bustards, though this scheme is not open to the public.

Of course the main attractions of Zoodyssée are its own animals. These range from foxes, wolves and bison, to ibex, wild boar, badgers, vultures, porcupine, lynx, the Konik horse from Poland and many more.

The park’s a large one and the wildlife occasionally elusive in their enclosures, so it’s a good idea to have a pair of binoculars as you stroll around – they can be hired at Zoodyssée, as can pushchairs for young children. A more relaxing way to see the animals is by carriage, though this guided tour comes at an extra cost.

The park also has a mini-farm, a games area and an interactive course called Humanimal in which you can put yourself in the place of an animal …

Address and Contact Information
Régie des Pôles Science et Nature de Zoodyssée et du Cébron
Forêt de chizé
79360 Villiers en Bois

Tel: +33 5 49 77 17 17
E-mail: accueil-zoodyssee@cg79.fr

Photo by Ronan Jouve / CC BY 2.0