Haute Touche Animal Reserve
If you aren’t keen on classic zoos where animals are confined in small spaces, Haute Touche is definitely for you and is also a lesson for us all !
Haute Touche Animal Reserve, a natural animal park
Keepers and scientists monitor the well-being and protection of the 120 species of animals. Defenders of animal rights and ardent enthusiasts of animals being seen in their natural habitat, the staff are also involved in preventing deforestation, the n°1 reason for the disappearance of many animal species. La Haute-Touche is at Obterre near Azay-le-Ferron in La Brenne. In fact, it isn’t really a zoo in the strict sense of the word, it began in an outbuilding of the Château at Azay-le-Ferron ! Now one thousand animals from the five continents live freely in 440 hectares of untouched forest. Many of them are part of an international protection programme and a collection of deer which is the only one of its kind in the world. The wildlife park allows animals to be seen in semi-captivity in their natural, ‘no frills’ environment. The Reserve belongs to the National Natural History Museum of Paris and was designed as a centre for wildlife reproduction. It has two objectives : to save endangered species from extinction and reintroduce threatened species. Nature is considered a very worthy cause at Haute-Touche as is sustainable tourism! An ideal destination for a wonderful family day out.
Surrounded by European wildlife…
As soon as you enter Haute-Touche, you drive 4km through wildlife from all over Europe to the heart of the Reserve. From there, you continue your tour on foot, by bike (bike hire on-site), in an electric cart or a horse-drawn carriage (Sundays, public holidays and French school holidays). If you decide to walk there are one or two circuits to follow. Numerous observatories offer panoramic views of most of the herds and flocks of wild animals which live at Haute Touche. Binoculars can be hired to see the animals more clearly. The different trails are lined with information boards. There are special areas to take part in feeding time for lemurs, pelicans and other African birds, lots of benches and picnic areas plus a restaurant and a shop. Guided tours and different activities take place throughout the day. Your guide will give you some concrete advice on how to preserve plant and animal life, simple everyday actions which can have an effect on biodiversity protection. They will change your vision of the animal world ! Have a look at the programme you get with your ticket before you start your discovery journey.
What to see in the area around Haute-Touche Animal Reserve
After visiting eco-friendly Haute-Touche, head for the Château of Azay-le-Ferron and its magnificent gardens ! The Indre region has many particularly fine residences, so make the most of your visit – you won’t be disappointed ! The last major transformations to the château were carried out by the Hersent and Luzarche families, who not only enhanced the interior but developed the estate too, landscaping the grounds and creating a vegetable garden. During your visit, admire the curious topiary garden of chessmen leading to the vegetable garden and orchard. In the opposite direction from Haute-Touche lies the Indre Valley and its traffic-free greenway, great for a cycle ride ! You can also go nature watching in the Parc Naturel Régional de la Brenne. An area of international renown, Brenne is one of the largest wetland areas of mainland France with more than 3,000 lakes and ponds which make it a magical, mysterious place. Observatories and discovery trails allow you to watch the animals without frightening them. In addition, more than 250 guided outings are programmed every year, including some especially for children ! Don’t forget to visit the Maison du Parc discovery centre at Rosnay , the national nature Reserve at Chérine and its Maison de la Nature discovery centre.
« Don’t go during really hot weather as you may not see very much of the animals » advises Bruno, owner of La Grande Métairie de Notz Marafin gite at Saulnay.
La Haute-Touche is on the D 975 between Châtillon-sur- Indre and Azay-le-Ferron. The entrance is 8km from Chatillon-sur-Indre on the way to Azay-le-Ferron. It is 30 minutes from Loches (37) and Le Blanc (36), 1 hour from Tours, Châtellerault and Châteauroux, 1½ hours from Blois, Limoges and Poitiers and 3 hours from Paris. Opening times : 31 March - 11 November, every day 10.00-18.00 (10.00-18.00 Sundays and public holidays). 1 July – 31 August every day 09.00-19.00. Reduced opening times at certain periods. Last admission 1 hour before closing time. Please note : some animals go inside for the night an hour before the park closes to the public."
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