Villars-les-Dombes Bird Park
Villars-les-Dombes Bird Park is among the largest in Europe and will soon be the largest in the world. It features more than 300 species spread over 26 areas, each representing a different continent or country.
One of the finest bird collections in Europe
Everyone is sure to love this 35-hectare reserve at the heart of La Dombes in the Ain region where more than 3,000 birds from all over the world preen their feathers, make nests and sing ! Villars-les-Dombes Bird Park is among the largest in Europe and will soon be the largest in the world. It features more than 300 species spread over 26 areas, each representing a different continent or country. Visit the Savannah or the Australian Bush before venturing into a bamboo maze. Birds live here in their reconstituted natural environment. Even the most fragile and threatened of species find a haven of peace here, illustrated by 500 baby birds hatching every year. A great place to visit with family or friends. An awesome experience and a real change of scene !
One of the most remarkable areas is the lory aviary, a 700m² enclosure where visitors can enjoy spending time with these small, brightly-coloured tree parrots which are hyperactive, playful and hungry ! They come to perch on your arm when you hold out a little cup of pollen (on sale at the aviary entrance), much to the delight of children.
But before that, climb up the 27-metre panoramic tower to get a wonderful view not just of the park, birds and lakes, but also the whole of La Dombes region with the hills of Beaujolais in the distance. Please note that the number of visitors in the tower at any one time is limited so sometimes you may have to wait.
Don’t forget to stop at the humming bird zone, the only one of its kind in Europe. Considered to be the greatest aerial acrobat of the animal kingdom, the humming bird is a strange bird. Did you know that it uses ten times more energy than insects and that it needs to gather its weight in nectar every day in order to survive ! A truly gourmet experience…
Feeding all 3,000 birds is a daily task which visitors can share. Feeding times are scheduled throughout the day in the main areas of the park. Children are invited to help. This is just one of the many activities for children organized at the park, notably at Easter and Halloween, which include workshops, treasure hunts, face-painting, drawing competitions, a bird migration game and a witches’ meal – don’t miss them !
A magical ballet of birds
During your visit, don’t miss a visit to the nursery, where several hundred birds are hatched every year, including undreamed of arrivals such as a monk vulture and a little bustard, providing new hope for these species threatened with extinction.
However, the major attraction at the park is without doubt the bird show which is generally held at the beginning of the afternoon. Visitors sit in an amphitheatre beside a lake to watch an enchanting show of colourful elegance. Pelicans, cranes, marabou storks, hornbills and several species of parrot fly over their heads in a magnificent display. Amazing !
After the excitement of the bird show, take a trip to the newest continent in the park – Africa - which has several different zones. Start with the huge African aviary of 3,000m² which is home to spoonbills, Abdim’s storks, Goliath herons and African openbills. Then continue across the Prairie and the Savannah before finishing up at the serpent eagle aviary to admire the impressive birds of prey. Note that children can visit the Savannah and be « Keeper for a day » to prepare food for the birds and lemurs.
There are play areas for very young children and picnic areas all around the park as well as a snack bar and a restaurant. Come well-prepared during periods of very hot weather. We recommend you arrive before the park opens. Pushchairs can be hired for young children, a useful facility as you finish up walking a very long way… Disabled visitors are welcome everywhere in the park, including the Panoramic Tower which has a lift.
How to get there ?
The park is between Geneva and Lyon. By road : 30 minutes from Lyon via A46 exit 3, or via D 1083 between Lyon and Bourg-en-Bresse. By train to Villars-les-Dombes station, 30 minutes from Lyon, then follow signs to the park (a 10-minute walk). By bus : Ouibus from Lyon-Perrache. The Bird Park has a large free car park.
Open from end of March to mid-November. April : 09.00 – 18.00 ; May – September : 09.00 – 19.00 ; October and November : 10.00 – 17.30. More information at: www.parcdesoiseaux.com "
